Please help! PAINFUL Pre-labour

[KazB]

Hi,
I dont think I can cope with this anymore and I dont know what to do! Since about 4pm on Sunday afternoon I've been having really painful pre-labour contractions every 8 - 10 mins.
They started at 5 mins apart and I went to the hospital when they were at 2 mins apart 1 min duration but they soon stopped when I got there and I spent the night in hospital with the contractions only about 8 mins apart.
The doctor did an internal yesterday morning and I was only 1cm dialated so I was sent home. Since I've been home they've been the same, but I haven't slept for two nights and the contractions haven't changed at all.
I am so exhausted and I dont think I can cope with anymore! I am 8 days overdue and am suppose to be having bub at a birth centre but I can't cope with the pain or lack of sleep anymore!
What do I do? Do I have any options???
Thanks,
Karyn

[Marlene]

Oh Kaz...that does not sound like fun!! You poor thing. I'm not really sure what your options are here..but I will give you my experience. I was having quite a painful pre-labour ans took myself off to the hospital after 16 hours. They told me I was only about 2cm dilated. They did a stretch and sweep (which was quite painful) and almost instantly things got more intense and 4 hours later I was cradling my baby boy in my arms!!

I am not intending at all to give you false hope...just letting you know what hapened to me. (This was my 4th baby and I had never experienced pre-labour before).

[~clover~]

I had pre labour with DD2.
The only reason I decided to leave for the hossy was coz the pain was so intense I was scared.
My contractions were 30 minutes apart & I thought if I couldn't handle the pain at 30 minutes there's no way I could handle it at 5 minutes!
Anyway, we got up, got my bag & they hit me 5 minutes apart! When I got to the hossy I was 6 - 7 cm dialated already. 5.5 hours later I had her.
So really, what I thought was still pre labour was actually doing something! Alot more than I thought it was!
Maybe you could just go & get checked again? Maybe ask for a S&S I think you can take panadein forte if you like.

[BellyBelly]

Can you find an acupuncturist to help move things along? Exhaustion is a big killer in labour, get as much rest as you can. Also check out spinning babies website, posterior labours can often be slow and spurious so could be that. If you're in Melbourne check out the BB preg centre we have Justin in this morning.

[~Raven~]

Big hugs!

I've had lots of painful prelabour with my last 2 bubbas. One night I was up timing them and was sure it was the real thing.

The only thing I can suggest to you is to get a sleep during the day when they aren't happening so you're rested up for when the real thing happens. Also when they are go for a walk (as hard as it is) as it might get things going!
I had accupuncture and it helped me feel refreshed and I had bub the day after at 5 days post dates.

[bronners]

I understand what you are going through - I have two strong boughts of pre-labour with my first child. They can get very intense and it really seems like this could be it but then they falter, change or stop! Very frustrating. It is a very good sign that labour is imminent though, and it will really happen soon. They are also probably helping to slowly dilate your cervix through the first 1-2 cms. Hopefully all of this makes active labour much shorter for you! The most helpful thing to get my labour really going was doing the deed, and that might be the last thing you feel like at the moment, but it tends to work!
Good luck

[2CheekyMonkeys]

what if you ask them to give you some sort of safe sleeping pill, to take during the night. (i had one while staying overnight at the hospital when i was induced and having prosto paint--pains that didnt do anything) ??!! and try a panadene forte too i reckon. stretch and sweep is also a good idea. you poor thing, hope things step up a gear for you very soon! i am sure if you called them and told them you are starting to find it hard to cope they might want you to come in and have another look.