Prodromal labor
Prodromal labor is
often referred to as "false labor" and is somewhere between Braxton Hicks contractions and active contractions. Prodromal labor is the part of
labor that occurs before active labor but does not progress to labor.
What is a prodromal birth?
Prodromal labor
consists of contractions that can be fairly regular (every 5 to 10 minutes
apart) and can be painful, like active labor pains, more so than Braxton-Hicks
contractions. As a rule, each contraction lasts a little less than a minute.
These abbreviations
are preparatory. They are supposed to help induce the baby into the correct
position for childbirth, prepare the muscles, ligaments and pelvis for active
childbirth, and may also help prepare the mother for the upcoming active work
in the near future.
How can I tell the difference between prodromal and active labor contractions?
Although prodromal
contractions occur at fairly regular intervals and can be painful rather than
uncomfortable, there is often a pause between these contractions and active
labor. Prodromal contractions do not occur:
- advance labor
- increase in intensity
- increase in frequency
- cause continuing dilation or effacement of the cervix (it may affect it to some degree)
Will I be able to tell them apart without seeing a doctor?
At home, it's not
always easy to tell if what you're going through is "real" or not.
Prodromal contractions can happen very close together (like every 5 minutes)
and can be more painful than the Braxton Hicks contractions you've had before.
For women who have
already had a prodromal birth, they can determine if they are truly
experiencing. However, if this is your first pregnancy or if you have not had a
prodromal delivery in previous pregnancies, a visit to the doctor may be
necessary to be sure.
Most doctors start by
gathering information about when your contractions got worse and how long they
lasted (so be sure to write them down!). Your doctor or midwife will likely do
a pelvic exam to see if your cervix has begun to dilate. If there are no signs
of expansion, or if it is the same as at the last examination, or there is very
little change, it is likely that you are having a prodromal delivery.
I'm ashamed to call my doctor/midwife because I don't know if it's real...what should I do?
Call your
doctor/midwife! If it's a choice between suffering from embarrassment and
having an accidental home birth without a doctor, then that seems like a pretty
easy choice. As noted above, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to tell
the difference between active and prodromal labor without a pelvic exam by a
physician.
What are the signs that a prodromal labor may turn into active labor?
As mentioned above,
it is not always possible to determine when prodromal contractions have turned
into active labor without a pelvic exam. However, if contractions start to
occur at very regular intervals less than 5 minutes apart, last more than a
minute each, and occur consistently for more than an hour, it may be time to
see a doctor. He or she can tell you at this time if you need to go to the
birthing site or just make an appointment.
How can I deal with prodromal labor?
During prodromal
contractions, it's important to make sure you're resting. Since it is possible
that active labor will not occur too late, it is recommended to conserve your
energy for labor and delivery.
Here are a few things
you can try to keep your mind off contractions:
- Take a warm shower (not bath in case you are dilated at all).
- If it begins at night, try to get some sleep.
- Take a nap.
- Munch on some snacks.
- Drink water and/or a sports drink.
- Try light activity, such as packing your bag for the hospital.
- Take a short, leisurely walk.
- Do things that calm you: read a book, drink safe herbal tea, listen to music, meditate, etc.
Try not to:
- Do more exhausting tasks like cooking, cleaning, or exercising.
- Feel bad asking for help! You don’t have to wait until after your baby arrives to ask for assistance.