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Early stage of labor or braxton hicks
I am 36 weeks pregnant and having pretty strong contractions. When they come on, they are quite painful and last about a minute if not a little longer and they go on sometimes for a couple hours. They weren't as bad for the past couple months but since last week they have started to get much worse. I am constantly in and out of L&D as I am a highrisk pregnancy and scheduled c-section. I am beginning to become scared that I may not be aware when actual labor starts.
I have had so many health problems during my pregnancy, i have sever carpal tunnel where I have very little use of my hands now and am wearing a halter monitor for my heart. I also have sever panic disorder and ptsd due to previous birth when related to pregnancy. Emotionally, I just can't handle anymore. I am not sleeping well maybe an hour at time 3 if I am lucky.
Does anyone know what I can do?
I have had so many health problems during my pregnancy, i have sever carpal tunnel where I have very little use of my hands now and am wearing a halter monitor for my heart. I also have sever panic disorder and ptsd due to previous birth when related to pregnancy. Emotionally, I just can't handle anymore. I am not sleeping well maybe an hour at time 3 if I am lucky.
Does anyone know what I can do?
Best Answer
Being high risk alone can become very stressful on its own. Especially the hospital visits. My first full term pregnancy I had to take ambien for most of it. Sleep aids were very helpful for me, you can ask if you can take them. You are not losing it I promise, I always feel like if it's not one thing it's another. Braxton hicks was a nightmare for me with my first son and seems to be happening again this time around. After a lot of trips to the hospital the nurses told me the best way to tell the difference is that braxton hicks isn't consistent and normally goes away where as labor will not go away once it starts it will only get worse. After experiencing labor they were very right in that. This isn't very helpful but you WILL know the difference once it starts. Timing is also helpful. If you think it could be labor, time how far apart and how long. if the contractions get stronger and closer together its probably labor just make sure its consistent. For me braxton hicks was a low sharp pain with very little tightening but with labor my whole stomach would tighten and the pain was a lot worse. hope this helps. keep us updated!
You can complain and it's ok to do so. I complain constantly and sometimes it helps esp when everything is frustrating. I understand it being overwhelming. Do you have anything relaxing to do? I'm an artistic person so i find things to do that just take my mind off everything around me. So if you have something to do that you enjoy try that to keep you calm.
On getting things moving along.. If you are meaning labor. I strongly suggest you don't try what others will tell you "works" because it doesn't work. Walking helps when you are in active labor already same with intercourse. Castor oil, jumping, and cleaning are not effective. Your baby will only come when ready. I have friends that have tried those things just to go full term anyway and making themselves more uncomfortable.
I can honestly say everything you are experiencing now will change once you see your little one. I had a very rough pregnancy but once i saw my son it didn't seem to matter anymore and i quickly forgot the pain.
On getting things moving along.. If you are meaning labor. I strongly suggest you don't try what others will tell you "works" because it doesn't work. Walking helps when you are in active labor already same with intercourse. Castor oil, jumping, and cleaning are not effective. Your baby will only come when ready. I have friends that have tried those things just to go full term anyway and making themselves more uncomfortable.
I can honestly say everything you are experiencing now will change once you see your little one. I had a very rough pregnancy but once i saw my son it didn't seem to matter anymore and i quickly forgot the pain.
Well, my hands are still just carpal tunnel but they will look into surgery if necessary immediatley after deliver.
My insurance will not cover a c-section earlier than 39 weeks unless I go into labor on my own. If I show any cervical change or my water breaks or anything, then they will go ahead and do it.
I go back to my cardiologist next week so will go from there.
As misserable as i am and as much pain as I am in, the contractions are doing nothing and they cannot do anything for the pain at this point. But, the baby is perfectly healthy and right where she should be so really, I can't complain. They said they will do whatever they can to help me get through it but I still feel like their very condescending about it.
I have a mental health disability due to ptsd and a sever panic disorder so all of this is becoming very over whelming for me. I really do apreciate all the responses and help.
Any advice on how to get things moving lol
My insurance will not cover a c-section earlier than 39 weeks unless I go into labor on my own. If I show any cervical change or my water breaks or anything, then they will go ahead and do it.
I go back to my cardiologist next week so will go from there.
As misserable as i am and as much pain as I am in, the contractions are doing nothing and they cannot do anything for the pain at this point. But, the baby is perfectly healthy and right where she should be so really, I can't complain. They said they will do whatever they can to help me get through it but I still feel like their very condescending about it.
I have a mental health disability due to ptsd and a sever panic disorder so all of this is becoming very over whelming for me. I really do apreciate all the responses and help.
Any advice on how to get things moving lol
Anytime you are contracting, the best thing to do is try to take a warm (NOT HOT), bath and then lay down. If this helps the contractions go away, then you know it's Braxton Hicks. As someone else said, if it's labor, a warm bath and rest won't stop it. Also, Tylenol is safe throughout pregnancy. Be sure to pay attention to the frequency, intensity, and the length of the actual contractions. So don't only time how far apart they are, but also time how long each lasts. Also keep track of your pain scale. Those are all good indicators for both you and the hospital.
Good luck! I hope your appts. went/go well today!
Good luck! I hope your appts. went/go well today!
The difference between braxton- hicks and real labor is if it is braxton hicks and you walk for about 30 min they go away, but if it is real labor and you walk for about 30 min they get stronger.
You should be able to get a c section when your in so much discomfort, i was also in fear of going into labour at home which i was lucky it did not happen first time but my second happened at christmas at 2 am and there were no ambulances or taxis even available so i had to wait an hour and only just made it to the delivery suite, so id go and let the dr know your fears. They should bring it forward for you good luck....
That's terrible. I hope you do get some relief soon. I know how hard my first go around was. I know they can do a c-section at 38 weeks. I've heard a lot of women get it then. I'm surprised they are making you wait the added time. And no shame in begging i know i did. Let me know how your appts go. I have another today too. I'm so tired of going and I've still got a ways to go.
I am scheduled for July 1. It seems a lifetime away.
The doc visits are becoming over whelming alright. Last week I was in 4 different days and 3 appointments one day all together. I have two today. It is so hard sometimes.
I cannot take sleep aids because I have a severe neuroloical reaction to a lot of medications :( I am also allergic to most pain meds and because of my panic disorder and my tachcardia they wont treat me with a lot of things.
I think I may beg and plead with the doctor I see today. They normally don't elect to do cesarian until 39 weeks though :(
The doc visits are becoming over whelming alright. Last week I was in 4 different days and 3 appointments one day all together. I have two today. It is so hard sometimes.
I cannot take sleep aids because I have a severe neuroloical reaction to a lot of medications :( I am also allergic to most pain meds and because of my panic disorder and my tachcardia they wont treat me with a lot of things.
I think I may beg and plead with the doctor I see today. They normally don't elect to do cesarian until 39 weeks though :(
I understand that completely! I seem to be at the doctor more then anywhere else. My doctor was very helpful with my first son. I was in so much pain he gave me paid meds and sleep aids. Also this time around i was told to buy a belly belt or band. It definitely makes a difference esp with the extra pressure feeling. I sleep sitting up mostly since laying down wasn't working. Also labor usually takes awhile so I'm sure you have time to make it to the hospital, i know its still a scary thought tho. When is your c-section? Your doctor might do it earlier if you tell them what's going on.
Thank you for your help :)
I do time them and all of that and they hurt all over. I have had labor stopped :( I am not actually suppose to labor at all because I am a scheduled c-section and I live so far from the hospital it scares me. I am one of those once active labor starts that is it and I am terrified of losing my life due to not making it to hospital like. I feel like seeinga doctor has become a full time job between specialists and my ob and being in hospital.
How did you manage your braxtonhicks? When on monitor, mine actually look like normal contractions spaced evenly and sharp in the rise and fall. I just don't know what to do. My nurse yesterday says she has never seen someone contract so much.
I do time them and all of that and they hurt all over. I have had labor stopped :( I am not actually suppose to labor at all because I am a scheduled c-section and I live so far from the hospital it scares me. I am one of those once active labor starts that is it and I am terrified of losing my life due to not making it to hospital like. I feel like seeinga doctor has become a full time job between specialists and my ob and being in hospital.
How did you manage your braxtonhicks? When on monitor, mine actually look like normal contractions spaced evenly and sharp in the rise and fall. I just don't know what to do. My nurse yesterday says she has never seen someone contract so much.
Please if anyone can help, I am just so drained and at my whitts end I don't know what to do anymore
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