Many pregnant women report that they feel some contractions, but they are soon to disappear. So, can labor start and stop? Is it a sign of a serious problem?
All of your wonders will be unveiled in this article, which provides comprehensive information about the causes, symptoms, and solutions to the prodromal labor.
Keep scrolling down for further details!
Can Labor Start And Stop?
Yes, sometimes, you may feel several contractions in a few minutes, but they will stop after this duration. This is called false labor, which happens when you are about to give birth.
After a long time, you might have the same feelings, and the contractions seem to disappear completely.
Please don’t mistake that you have imagined them, as according to many medical professions, contractions are real, but the parturition does not occur.
In other words, prodromal birth is real regarding pain and regularity.
Is it normal for contractions to start and then stop?
This phenomenon is very common, so you don’t need to panic. It could take days, weeks, or even months before the active labor begins.
If you are still worried, consult your healthcare provider’s advice or go to a reliable hospital for an overall examination.
What Are The Causes Of Prodromal Labor?
Here are various rationales behind your prodromal labor to which you should pay close attention.
- One of the causes lies in your baby’s position. If it is in a breech position, your uterus will move your baby to another location due to related risks by making regular contractions for a specific time.
- You’d better consider physical factors. They include an uterine anomaly, an uneven pelvis or high blood pressure. These health problems could become serious if not checked and treated well.
- The intensity of contractions increases at regular intervals because of your worry and mental instability. You could be overwhelmed by apprehensive emotions or pressures in your life, and they just exacerbate the prodromal labor.
- Sometimes, it is related to the history of previous pregnancies that affect your uterus’ size.
What Are The Signs Of Prodromal Labor?
There are various symptoms of prodromal parturition that are worth your consideration.
- You feel strong contractions in your stomach without any external forces or pressures.
- Your abdomen seems to tighten or harden more often than usual.
- You feel the pain that false labor contractions bring doesn’t intensity over time, a nagging pain.
- The contractions only last about 5 minutes, and then they will stop immediately.
- Each contraction lasts about 30 seconds to a minute, and there are a series of contractions within 5 minutes.
How To Deal With Prodromal Labor?
Many experts don’t take a pessimistic view on prodromal labor because it helps women’s uterine ligaments and muscles to prepare for the real labor.
Yet, prodromal labor induces some contractions that are too painful and unbearable to many pregnant women, affecting their mental health greatly.
So, suppose you are in the same boat; the following tips will ameliorate your situation by alleviating this pain.
- Do calming activities, such as reading a book, meditating, or listening to your favorite music.
- Undertake exercises designed for a pregnant woman, like light pilates or yoga. They help control your breath effectively, thereby relieving stress.
- Take a short and relaxed walk with your parents or husband. These people will make you feel safe and comfortable when you stay close to them.
- Take a soothing, warm shower. Avoid using a bath because your cervix could start to dilate every time.
- Take a nap or sleep whenever you feel that contractions caused by prodromal labor are coming.
- Maintain a healthy diet with sufficient nutrients and minerals. Avoid alcoholic beverages or smoking, as these harmful habits only worsen the pain.
- Drink enough water.
- Do light-duty household chores like sweeping your house, cleaning the floor, and doing the laundry to sway your worry about prodromal parturition.
- Keep contact with your friends to avert stress and mental burden.
How Do I Know If It Is Prodromal Labor Or Active Childbirth?
Here are three ways that help you differentiate between prodromal labor and active parturition.
You Are Having Other True Labor Signs
Given the active labor, it might display several other symptoms.
Apart from painful contractions, you should closely notice the water breaking, heavy bleeding and vaginal discharge of actual labor. Check these signs carefully.
Bathing Does Not Ease Your Symptoms
Suppose you are experiencing contractions rendered by prodromal childbirth; they seem to stop after you shower or have a bath.
The reason is that water is functional at relieving the stress on body muscles, including the uterus muscles.
If you really undergo real pain from active labor, bathing or showering shows no easing results.
Your Contraction Interval Is 5 To 10 Minutes
As presented above, prodromal labor induces a pattern of consistent contractions that stop after 5 to 10 minutes.
So, if you feel this series of contractions and nagging pain, the main culprit is false labor.
Yet, suppose the pain seems excruciating and does not alleviate over time, especially at night when you nearly have no preparation; you are near to real parturition.
What Are The Differences Between Prodromal Labor And Braxton-Hicks?
Both prodromal labor and Braxton-Hicks provoke severe pain, yet they are not the same.
Prodromal childbirth brings contractions starting then stopping after a short period of time, and the whole process occurs within 5 minutes.
On the other hand, Braxton-Hicks gives rise to practice contractions, giving you uncomfortable feelings, but they are not typically intense or regular.
Your lifestyle, as shown by drinking water, relaxing, or eating habits, cannot ease this pain easily.
In addition, the time that Braxton-Hicks contractions last is unpredictable. It can last for 5 minutes or more, depending on your health conditions.
Another difference is that Braxton-Hicks could occur as early as the second trimester, while prodromal labor waits until the third trimester to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Prodromal Labor Last?
Each prodromal parturition lasts only 5 minutes with a variety of contractions that differ in intensity.
But there seems to be no set time for the whole duration of the prodromal parturition.
As mentioned, this false labor kicks off when you enter the third trimester, and it could last until you are about 42 weeks pregnant and ready to give birth.
How Can I Speed Up Prodromal Labor?
There is no way that you can fasten your prodromal labor and switch it into an active parturition.
The false labor always goes away on its own and causes sudden contractions you will never expect.
If you panic over this labor pain, keeping a detailed record of your contractions is highly recommended, so you can somewhat predict and know how to avert them.
Don’t worry too much. Relax and just regard it as a normal function of your body to prepare for the birth of a gorgeous angel!
The Bottom Line
This article has solved the question: Can labor start and stop? Normally, when you face this phenomenon, you are experiencing false contractions called prodromal labor.
If you feel too painful, take the above measures and tips that may help you out a lot. Thank you for reading my sharing, and stay tuned for my next posts!
