

Unfortunately not ‒ experiencing prodromal labor doesn’t necessarily mean your real labor will be shorter.Īnd if you’re wondering how to speed up prodromal labor, we’re sorry to say that’s not possible, either. Having regular contractions 10 minutes apart and 60-90 seconds long is a good sign labor has been established. As labor progresses, the time between contractions gets shorter and the contraction lasts longer. They will generally last for 30-60 seconds. If you can, ask your birth partner to support you through this time to prepare you both for the big day.Īnd as ever, mama, you are doing a great job! Does prodromal labor shorten active labor? In the early stages of labor, the contractions are often 15 to 20 minutes apart. Your doctor or midwife may suggest visiting them to get checked over.Īlthough uncomfortable, prodromal labor is a great time to put into practice some of your birth techniques. The contractions are so strong, you cant walk or talk during them. I know you must be shattered but it's worth doing, should make the contractions more productive if the baby is in a better position. They tend to get stronger and come in shorter intervals as time passes. If your contractions feel like this, you are in labor: Contractions are 5 to 10 minutes apart. This means that your body is getting ready for you to deliver and the density of your cervical tissue is changing. Your cervix must be 100 effaced and 10 cm dilated before the pushing stage of a vaginal delivery can begin. Like effacement, dilation is also caused by uterine contractions. This information can help your birth team give you advice over the phone if you decide to check in with them. Contractions are when the muscles of your uterus contract (expand). Cervical dilation and effacement go hand in hand. Keeping an eye on your prodromal labor contraction timings and concentrating on whether they’re getting more painful, closer together, or easing off, gives you a good indication as to whether you might be progressing into real labor. There’s nothing you can physically do to turn prodromal labor into real labor. With my first I had active, non-progressive labour so all in it was 30hrs of regular contractions before he was born. The irregularity and spontaneous stop-start pattern of prodromal pain is what sets it apart from real labor.īut even if it’s not your first pregnancy, it can be really hard to tell whether you’re in prodromal labor or the early stages of real labor. How far apart should contractions be before going to a hospital I was told for my first baby you want contractions to be 1 min long, 35 min apart for an hour before you go to the hospital. You should not have five or more contractions or tightenings in 1 hour, or contractions should not be less than 15 minutes apart while you are lying down. Prodromal labor is just your body’s way of warming up for the real thing. Prodromal labor doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is ready to be born.Īnd if your prodromal labor goes away without progressing to real labor, it doesn’t mean you’ll need an induction or a c-section.
