Can contractions subside??

May 02, 2008

Hello again, Dr. Q! :-)

This question may sound stupid, but I again would like to ask your expert opinion about it.

I went to labor and delivery around 5:00 a.m. this morning after having contractions that were 3-5 minutes apart since 1:30 a.m. Yesterday, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. When I got to the hospital, I was 3 cm and still 50% effaced. I walked for an hour and even got on a yoga ball for another 45 minutes. My contractions were really strong...at least strong enough for me to start moaning and not able to walk when I am starting to have one. I was told that the intensity of the contractions based on the toco reading were strong enough to start true labor. After after all that, I was still 3 cm and 50% effaced. I was given a choice to stay 2-3 hours longer or go home and relax and just go back. Since we're only 15 minutes away from the hospital, we decided to come home and I took a nice long hot shower. Surprisingly, after I got out of shower, I was so sleepy and actually fell asleep the whole afternoon. I woke up feeling like I was never in labor pains earlier today. I am still having contractions now, but they're not 3-5 minutes apart anymore and the intensity is not as strong as it was in the hospital.

My questions are--"were all those strong contractions still considered Braxton Hicks even when it came to a point where they were 3-5 minutes apart for more than 2 hours?" I feel like a first time mom asking these questions because I haven't felt normal labor with my daughter as I was induced at 38 weeks. "What explains my contractions subsiding after taking a shower and taking a nap?" Does this mean I will be going through all this on and off for the entire 2-3 weeks if our baby will indeed wait until then? I can't imagine going through the same pain and go to the hospital and just be sent back home because my labor is not progressing well. My doctor said she does not induce labor until at least 39 weeks. If you were my doctor, what would you suggest me to do, doc? I was told to go to the hospital if they're at least 5 minutes apart within a span of an hour, and I did that.

I'd really appreciate your opinion on this, doc. Thank you so much!!!

May 03, 2008

Hey Lexie..know you're looking for an expert answer..but I'll tell you my story.

Went into labor on a Sunday afternoon..had contractions all afternoon...finally fell asleep early evening for 1/2 hr...freaked out b/c the contractions stopped. They started again early am next day..and I did have a long labor but he was born about 50 hrs after it all started! Let me tell you tho..the reason for the long labor was b/c I was only 35 wks..and they made me dialate to 4 on my own b/f breaking water/pitocin. So, anyways, my guess..she's on her way!

Good luck and keep us posted!

May 03, 2008

Thank you, Kelli! :-) I'm feeling totally fine right now...no contractions (I got some mild ones early this morning, then that's it). I slept through the night last night without any interruptions. Oh my!! You went to labor for 50 hours?? That is very long! When I gave birth to my first child, I was induced at 2 cm, then despite of the consistent contractions, I got stuck at 4 cm for 5-6 hours. I thought my next route was C-section as I still was not dilating even with Pitocin. But after my water bag was manually ruptured, I dilated really, really fast (Gosh, that hurt really bad as for some reason, my doc didn't put me on Epidural at that time). Anyway, I was in labor and delivery from 7:30 a.m. and pushed the baby out at 11:03 p.m.

Sigh! I don't know how long I will wait or when I will be starting to have contractions again. I want to go out and do something just to enjoy the nice weather, but I can't because I don't know when I might have contractions again. hehe!

May 03, 2008

Yep Lexie,

These are the standard recommendations that you're getting...but many times like you see, the timing of labor just isn't quite there...and that's ok..better be safe than sorry...Unless one is dilated significantly and/or have a reason, inductions usually aren't done til 41wks..

May 03, 2008

Thanks Dr. Q! I'm starting to feel contractions now again. Sigh! I don't know what our baby is planning to do today...haha!

By the way, doc...since I was told that I was already 3 cm yesterday at the hospital, I still don't remember seeing my mucus plug come out. I know how it looks like as I lost that plug at 1 cm when I had my daughter. If I'm already 3 cm, could there be a possibility that my plug hasn't come out yet? Or do you think it's already gone without me noticing it? I've always been keeping an eye for it since I reached 36 weeks when I haven't even dilated yet.

Thanks again, doc!
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