tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.comments2019-06-09T14:18:07.762-06:00FrogBlog: Prodromal BirthSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498715600254435346noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-63895125435714322502013-02-22T03:00:55.381-07:002013-02-22T03:00:55.381-07:00Thank you for sharing your story!!
I'm current...Thank you for sharing your story!!<br />I'm currently Prodromal-ing along...going on day five, I think. I've been having what I thought were BH for a while, except they intensify when I walk rather than disappear. But they would usually stop when I sat down or rested. Five days ago was when they started to get more consistent and not always stop when I'd rest, so I attempted to time them, and went in to L&D, and was sent home.....so that's when I started counting the days! Hahaha. <br />Since being sent home I've been so confused and frustrated that I didn't "just know" when labor started. I was seriously doubting my ability to be in tune with my body (something I'd always been kind of proud of), and timing my contractions was aggravating because they had NO rhyme or reason to them, yet they were obviously not BH according to textbook definitions. They never were shorter than 90 seconds, which is apparently "only supposed to happen while pushing"!<br />Then, yesterday, I had my 39w appointment with a midwife. I explained how irritated I was to the midwife, and she explained that I was in Prodromal Labor, not to worry about timing contractions if it stressed me out, and to come to the hospital once i can't talk through the contractions. Or to call if my baby stops moving or my membranes rupture. Now THOSE are guidelines I can live with and understand!! It was such a relief. And it's even more of a relief to read your story, and the stories left in the comments, to remind me there is a light at the end of this tunnel!<br />And funnily enough, when relating all of this to my Mom, it turns out she had Prodromal labor with all six of her births too! She just didn't know it had a name/was a normal thing. Her contractions were never, ever regular either - something she said aways frustrated Doctors (even with her first two births which were in a birth center/small town hospital that didn't even offer epidurals, and would seem more open-minded...oh well, it was 1990/91!)<br /><br />Thanks again for starting this blog. I am so grateful!!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11625035822302758505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-66005414436645220372012-10-03T12:14:45.046-06:002012-10-03T12:14:45.046-06:00I don't know if this is prodromal or not, but ...I don't know if this is prodromal or not, but with my last baby (#2) I started having irregular contractions the evening of her due date. 8, 7, 4, 4, 7, 3, 8, 3, 3, 3, ...minutes apart, lasting a minute. Went to the birthing center at 1030 pm. Sent home at 1145pm when they stalled at 7 minutes apart; 4 cm. By the time we were home 20 minutes later they were 3 minutes apart again. I took some castor oil then rested an hour. I got up to use the toilet & timed contractions that were under 2 minutes apart for an hour. Went back to the birthing center at 245. I was still at 4 cm. I immediately entered transition & she was born at 335am. Besides the irregular contraction pattern, I don't experience pain until transition. I am pregnant with #3 & concerned about an unassisted birth if it is any faster. The scary part is I am high risk because of crazy rare blood antibodies against the baby this time. I'm betting no home birth midwife will touch me.<br />Jennifer in ChattanoogaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-81336037297193031162012-07-28T22:01:45.872-06:002012-07-28T22:01:45.872-06:00I appreciate this story, I learned quite a few thi...I appreciate this story, I learned quite a few things!<br />I've also noticed that whenever couples say "we're going to try for all natural for as long as possible, but if it gets really bad we'll get the epi"<br />They always end up getting the epidural!<br />I'm planning an unmedicated birth for my first child. I'll be giving birth in a midwife led birthing centre, so even if at one point I'm screaming for that epidural, it's impossible for me to get one since its not available at that centre!KeeraVivianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11264013725956781680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-12118833643198709442012-07-28T02:12:37.490-06:002012-07-28T02:12:37.490-06:00Thanks for coming back, Kacie! Yes, my bouts are ...Thanks for coming back, Kacie! Yes, my bouts are over as of July 16th, when my baby girl arrived. The birth was great, and both midwives made it!!! It was the birth I've always wanted in many ways. I only have one regret: that we didn't get it on video. My husband was there for me in ways I don't want to forget.<br /><br />I'm off to see if you've had your little one! Thanks so much for commenting again!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15498715600254435346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-80367751421785784372012-07-28T00:21:01.181-06:002012-07-28T00:21:01.181-06:00Hang in there, Anonymous! Your body is working, e...Hang in there, Anonymous! Your body is working, even if you don't (yet!) have a baby to show for it. Keep positive and take GOOD care of yourself. If it helps, keep your prodromal laboring a secret that you only share with those who are understanding, or after you've given birth (I've done both of these). Feeling invalidated can be that much more discouraging when one experiences this pattern of labor.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15498715600254435346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-55064372057602400402012-07-26T22:20:06.742-06:002012-07-26T22:20:06.742-06:00Thank you for this blog! I have been experiencing ...Thank you for this blog! I have been experiencing prodromal labor for 6 days now and no one believes me when I say I'm having REAL contractions! It really helps to read stories of others going through the same thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-37797923972578586292012-07-19T21:39:01.688-06:002012-07-19T21:39:01.688-06:00Sarah - Not sure if you've given birth yet...h...Sarah - Not sure if you've given birth yet...hopefully for your sake you have! I commented back in April on this post. Well, here I sit at 35w1d doing the prodromal labor thing all over again. Last night was my first time to call my doctor (family friend) for a false alarm in 3 pregnancies. I had contractions for about 6 hours. They were 5 min apart almost the entire time, lasting 45 sec - 1 min. I was *sure* it was time because I was in a LOT of pain with each contraction. I had DD2 at 35w0d and that's exactly when my doctor's office doesn't stop labor so I figured we'd be having a baby and of course I was praying that he'd be healthy. <br /><br />Well, my doctor got to the house and lo and behold...I was 2cm, 0%. Agony. Ha. I was a fingertip last week at my appt (started checks early to watch for PTL) and 0% so I had made some progress in dilation but none in effacement. <br /><br />Anyway - I'm really fine (and somewhat relieved) that last night was a false alarm. I want him to be healthy and each extra day in my womb is better for him! BUT - It's about 11pm here and they are starting back up again so I'm preparing for another night of no sleep. It's exhausting and emotionally draining. <br /><br />I hope things are going well for you and that you're holding your sweet baby in your arms by now. I'm right there with your above comment on crying wolf and having an unassisted birth on accident in regards to calling family and caregivers. It's such a hard thing to balance! :) I'm sure I'll be putting my birth story (whenever that may be...) on my blog so please check it every now and then and we'll see how long the PL lasts for me this time!Kaciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11109551771525550476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-51095750930690540232012-07-10T23:18:52.561-06:002012-07-10T23:18:52.561-06:00Anonymous, I hope you're hanging in there if p...Anonymous, I hope you're hanging in there if prodromal labor is still happening. I'm having bouts of it myself (38 weeks today) and even with my fifth, I feel a little silly calling to give my helpers a heads up that I may be needing them soon. But, I've decided it's either that, or not give them enough notice, and we've tried that, had a baby accidentally unassisted, and (though it was a fabulous birth) do not want to do that again. Oh, to find the happy medium between crying wolf and giving birth unassisted. . . hmmm.<br /><br />Be encouraged that all that prodromal labor is not for nothing. Your body is working!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15498715600254435346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-70475774094945608262012-07-05T12:12:24.512-06:002012-07-05T12:12:24.512-06:00Thank you so much for the stories and perspective....Thank you so much for the stories and perspective. I am in prodromal labor right now and planning for a home vbac. It has been so tough because people say oh well that's not real labor or kind of dismiss it like "youll know it when it's here". I know it is here. I just feel so much pressure for it to progress...it's like I don't even want to tell people. <br /><br />I was up all night with consistent contractions and tons of bloody show... Then this morning it all but stopped. Knowing I am not a freak is really helpful. I am not alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-10368482909049930502012-04-13T22:08:35.073-06:002012-04-13T22:08:35.073-06:00Kacie, thanks so much for your story! I love when...Kacie, thanks so much for your story! I love when others share their experiences. Little by little, maybe we who labor this way (and our care providers, child-birth educators and doulas) will begin to acknowledge that it happens and that it can be normal.<br /><br />Hold onto your hat if you don't plan to stop with #3: I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with my fifth, and two weeks ago marked my first four(plus)-hour bout (in this pregnancy) of minute-long, 2 min-apart contractions. (With my fourth pregnancy, those kind of contractions came at 20 weeks.)<br /><br />I'd love to hear how this labor/birth goes for you, if you'd like to share. Great for you to know your body so well. I still haven't quite figured mine out yet, though it is much better than the first time.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15498715600254435346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-62183921575212567362012-04-12T22:30:33.432-06:002012-04-12T22:30:33.432-06:00I tried to find a place to contact you, but didn&#...I tried to find a place to contact you, but didn't see one. :)<br /><br />I just had to tell you - YOU'RE RIGHT! I experienced Prodromal Labor with both of my pregnancies (only 21 weeks into my current pregnancy, so nothing yet) and it was torture. It went on for WEEKS with my first daughter. Luckily, my water broke at home so I knew the time had come. With my 2nd daughter, I wasn't so lucky. I had been having contractions, on and off, at no pattern, for about 4 weeks. I got checked and was 3cm 60% at 34 weeks. The contractions continued in their usual fashion. I was feeling tired, run down, exhausted, anxious -- you name it. After an entire night of the same old stuff, nothing ever getting into a pattern (that I truly based everything on!) I decided that SOMETHING was going on down there and maybe I just didn't labor "normally." I called my doctor as the contractions were moving into my back. I was in pain, but I guess due to the weeks of contractions before that, it wasn't unbearable or alarming. My doctor is a family friend and came by the house to check on me. He informed me that I was 8cm and it was time to go! <br /><br />It was such a rush and a mad dash that it's kind of hard to remember it all. We live a good 30 minutes from town and we weren't in the hospital 30 minutes before 2 very light pushes brought my little girl into the world. <br /><br />I'm pregnant now with #3 - a little boy - and I know without a doubt this time, that I will not wait on a pattern to my contractions or wait on "normal" labor. I know my body better than any textbook definition of "labor" and if I feel like something is going on, it probably is. <br /><br />Just thought I'd share my story with you! It's definitely not "false labor" or anything insinuating it's not real or productive. :)Kaciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11109551771525550476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-92092509494515812162012-03-22T08:55:52.045-06:002012-03-22T08:55:52.045-06:00I just had to comment to this post to thank you so...I just had to comment to this post to thank you so very much for such a clear and enlightened view of how bad prodromal labor can get. It made me feel warm and fuzzy just to know that you had a naturally starting birth even after a full month of prodromal labor. <br /><br />I have to say, after 4 weeks so far of increasingly uncomfortable 'early labor' symptoms, I have begun to doubt my body's ability to push over the hump into active labor. Especially since every day I experience the same pattern - no pain and minor contractions in the morning, increasing in intensity and frequency throughout the day and evening, but never pushing into 'active labor'...until I just give up and go to bed, only to start it all again the next day. For the last two weeks I've have cramping and cervical pain throughout most of the day, in addition to sometimes rough contractions. Now I'm 40+3 weeks and after thinking I was going to be in labor at 37 weeks, I'm just quite tired and frustrated. It has been especially frustrating to have to cut into my maternity leave from work to deal with this, because I want to spend as much time as possible with my little one when he gets here. Also frustrating is when everyone keeps telling me to "just be patient - enjoy your last few weeks of pregnancy and freedom!" Hah! It's so hard to explain to people what I'm going through. I'm looking forward to meeting my son, but equally important, I'm looking forward to not being in labor! I'm certain that I will be getting more sleep after the baby is born, not less. Now if people misunderstand when I tell them I've been in labor for 3 weeks, I'll just refer them to your blog. :-)<br /><br />I'm also beginning to rethink my whole picture of labor, and what my ideal labor is going to look like. But it's good to know there's still a chance that it won't have to involve pitocin. I am so grateful to all of you commenters as well, for sharing their birth stories. Perhaps I can also look forward to a shortened active labor pattern. I still worry about getting to the birth center (it's a 30 minute drive), but I've instructed my husband to read the section in "The Birth Partner" about catching a baby in a car very carefully. :-)<br /><br />Again, thank you so very much for sharing your birth stories. I will refer all and sundry to your blog, including my friends, relatives, and my Expectant Moms meetup group, so I hope you don't mind.Christinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-67083169512026175932012-02-03T15:35:04.076-07:002012-02-03T15:35:04.076-07:00I experience days of contractions that surely feel...I experience days of contractions that surely feel like labor...have done this for the last 4 babies (I've had 7 so far). I have contractions and they are painful and I can time them. My test usually is sleep. If, at any point, I can sleep for more than a few hours, I stay home. Usually, if I am in progressing labor I have the blood and it doesn't give me that 2-3 hour break. I believe it's effective labor, just very slow. I am glad I wait it out and don't go in to the hospital as I fear they would try to augment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-60037983196871290402011-12-10T20:32:52.766-07:002011-12-10T20:32:52.766-07:00Oh, Rachel! Hang in there! Your pregnancy journe...Oh, Rachel! Hang in there! Your pregnancy journey is almost over--I'm sorry to hear all the labels and extra turmoil you've been through because of your contractions. I understand how it may be hard to readjust your expectations about when the baby will come. Keep in mind that many women go past the due date (first-time moms, more often). And welcome those contractions! They can be so challenging--especially when you just want some decent sleep--but they are great practice for you and your baby. I hope you come back and share how the birth went, Rachel!Sarahhttp://nmfrogblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-64274554484131955012011-12-10T13:27:45.905-07:002011-12-10T13:27:45.905-07:00Thank you so much for this blog. I seriously thoug...Thank you so much for this blog. I seriously thought this was all normal...this is my first (I am 39 weeks today). I can remember very very early on waking up to that same picture! I was on 10 weeks of bedrest starting at about 28 weeks and was told I have an "irritable uterus" and given all kinds of drugs and labeled high risk (no longer can use midwife, had to switch to an OB)(...positive ffn and soft cervix but no dilation till 37 weeks, now holding strong at 1cm). I have constant contractions...lately they have organized a bit into the evenings and usually about 5-15 mins apart. Being that I was expecting the baby early and that I am going through this, I am getting very impatient and frustrated. So, thanks for this blog.Rachelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-70785257223115748282011-09-17T16:33:58.699-06:002011-09-17T16:33:58.699-06:00Hey, thanks for responding! Nobody has really sug...Hey, thanks for responding! Nobody has really suggested it to me, except myself. :) I had heard that things like that can stall out labor. The reason I think it may have is because it was SO similar to how things felt with my first labor and the way that started. I definitely expected things to progress, but after I went to the hospital, they did not. And the cervical check was very uncomfortable, even as far as cervical checks go. But I guess we will never know for sure! If I have another kid, I will have to see what happens that time!Melnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-3280771426895884362011-09-16T16:54:15.025-06:002011-09-16T16:54:15.025-06:00Thanks for commenting, Mel! I love the "I...Thanks for commenting, Mel! I love the "I'm weird" classification--I can SO relate to that when explaining my birth experiences!<br /><br />As to the question about whether or not the cervical check was what stalled-out your labor, in my experience, start-and-stop labor is simply what my body does in the weeks (and even months) leading up to the big day. And though it is true that labor (even active labor) can stop as a result of seemingly innocuous things like a cervical check or an abrasive nurse, family member or provider, I tend to believe that for many prodromal labors, the body stops because it was just a warm-up: it wasn't going to finish the job in the first place--just practice a little!<br /><br />Have you had people suggest to you that your labor stalled because of the cervical check? I have found that many birth educators, doulas and providers believe that if labor stops or stalls, it always means there's a fear issue or something internal to the mother's thoughts and emotions that is holding up labor. Though this can certainly be the case for some labors, it is not true for all labors. Some women's bodies just work that way. She may be relaxed and welcoming of labor and the baby, yet the contractions may still peter out, for the simple reason that it's it's not time yet.<br /><br />My personal thought, and one I've seen play out is that a woman in your situation *can* stay home (or even go in to the hospital) and do all kinds of things to get labor going, and she may indeed prolong the laboring episode, keep the contractions coming and possibly even cause them to be stronger, but all that may still lead to a stalled-out labor, with an exhausted mama to boot!Sarahhttp://nmfrogblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-57483810644943582782011-09-15T15:24:27.368-06:002011-09-15T15:24:27.368-06:00Hi,
This describes my labor pattern too. My firs...Hi,<br /><br />This describes my labor pattern too. My first was a 10 hour labor but the contractions never got stronger, longer, or closer together - they started 2-4 minutes apart, irregular, completely manageable, and stayed that way. I had two transition contractions and then started pushing. I just barely made it to the hospital as I left when I was already pushing.<br /><br />My second I had a lot more prodromal labor. Usually there were only occasional contractions but a couple times they started out with the whole 2-4 minute thing just like that first time. The first time this happened I went in because I wanted to get the antibiotics started (GBS+). But I didn't progress (I was at 4 cm/80% effaced for the last month) and they sent me home. So when contractions started again I was at a total loss as to when to go in. I ended up just staying home (we had originally planned a home birth before I knew I was GBS+ so this was not as big a deal as it sounds). The time it really happened (2 weeks after the false alarm), the piddly irregular contractions went on for two hours and then the amniotic sac sprung a leak, at which point I got ready to go in. Nope, too late. 35 minutes after that my son was born (in the caul) and my husband caught.<br /><br />Prodromal precipitous is as good a name as any I guess. I'm actually glad to have something to call it, other than "I'm weird." My mom had this same labor pattern as well. She didn't know she was in labor with me until she got checked at a routine doc's appt and she was 9 cm. As soon as they broke her water, out I came.<br /><br />One question for you or anyone who knows: Do you suppose the cervical check at the hospital could have stalled out my labor, and if I had just stayed home the first time, I would have had a baby the next morning? I wonder about that.<br /><br />Thanks for the article.Melnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-20051594372217323032011-07-20T19:56:16.642-06:002011-07-20T19:56:16.642-06:00Tribalmama, I hope you come back to say whether yo...Tribalmama, I hope you come back to say whether your upcoming birth ends up precipitous as well as having been prodromal! I do think they can go together in subsequent pregnancies, but it (like anything in labor) cannot be counted upon. Thanks for commenting (and you too, Anonymous!). I love to hear other mom's experiences.Sarahhttp://nmfrogblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-8288027872117846212011-07-18T21:56:47.066-06:002011-07-18T21:56:47.066-06:00Oh, prior to this blog I was unfamiliar with the t...Oh, prior to this blog I was unfamiliar with the terms prodromal and precipitous. However, I am going on 43 weeks (6th blessing) and have had "false labor" for the past month! All my births have been precipitous. <br />Thanks for broadening my vocabulary, sure does make it much easier to explain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-55452398988958034892011-07-13T06:26:02.428-06:002011-07-13T06:26:02.428-06:00What you said is 100% true, that 1st timers say th...What you said is 100% true, that 1st timers say they want a hospital birth w/ the 1st one just to make sure everything goes OK, then maybe they'll consider a homebirth w/ the next one--and then something (or everything) goes wrong or "wrong" and they would never dream of having a hospital birth w/ the 2nd or subsequent. I've met a few couples who have had this situation and the mom got educated & now wants a homebirth w/ later baby but hubby is scared out of his wits & convinced that birth is very dangerous & no books, research, or articles will change his mind.Sarah--Well Rounded Birth Prephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00430583826211639431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-37686888312545092502011-06-19T01:14:40.084-06:002011-06-19T01:14:40.084-06:00Thank you for visiting again and commenting, Natas...Thank you for visiting again and commenting, Natasha! I am so honored that you'd visit after six months (how can the twizzlers be that old already?!?). I'm going over to your blog now to see what's the latest! I too, wish you could have had the natural birth you wanted. Maybe all that prodromal labor helped them be ready for the outside world even though they came out another way. I wonder.Sarahhttp://nmfrogblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-66597206838047873672011-06-19T00:24:01.991-06:002011-06-19T00:24:01.991-06:00Coming back to read this has me in tears (in a goo...Coming back to read this has me in tears (in a good way mind you.) While I still to this day wish that I could have had the natural vaginal birth that I wanted, I am ever so grateful for the six month old BUSY twins that I have today. Thank you SO MUCH for your support, I haven't forgotten you!N. Nicholeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04288296192091567374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-70548167750282944882010-11-20T21:55:04.329-07:002010-11-20T21:55:04.329-07:00My first baby was a 4 hour start to finnish homebi...My first baby was a 4 hour start to finnish homebirth that was very painful. my second baby was a week late, i was 5 cm dilated for five days with a long prodromal labor weak contractions starting and stopping. then when i finally gave up on my homebirth and decided to head to the hospital for a "wiff of pit". My labor kicked into gear as i was getting ready and my baby was born 15 min later on my bedroom floor in the caul. very precipitous. I felt no real pain until that last 15 min when my body went from 5cm- to 10cm and transitioned and deliveredAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298098726950421105.post-83118206659062688222010-11-18T11:27:47.517-07:002010-11-18T11:27:47.517-07:00Thanks for this post! As someone who did have a ve...Thanks for this post! As someone who did have a very fast, intense labor it is nice to have someone say "hey, it is hard, even if it didn't look that way!"<br /><br />I prepared for months, (although I didn't take a class because there was no bradley class in my area) reading empowering birth stories, contemplating the mechanisms involved in birth, and even when I was exercising, telling myself to relax through the effort I was putting forth so that I could do the same thing while in labor. My labor did start slowly, but progressed very quickly; we barely made it to the hospital and when we did she was crowning and born in 20 minutes. (5 hours total) My husband slept through most of it as I relaxed through each one and timed them. After it was over I forgot all about the pain during labor, but then my mom found the peice of paper that I was writing down the contractions, which looked a like this-<br />1:30 am- painful<br />1:36 am- really really painful!<br />1:40 am- not so bad<br /><br />and so on. But I didn't feel the need to scream, because I knew what was happening was normal and necessary. There were a few hollars during transition, but pushing was a peaceful relief and quiet. My friends weren't that impressed, however, and just say "well you had an easy labor, but I....insert horror story". It's just not that simple.<br /><br />I am studying to be a doula because I want to be able to instill that kind of self-confidence in other women.sara r.noreply@blogger.com