40 weeks and 8 hours of contractions and now NOTHING!!!

[Anonymous]

So I'm 40 weeks and started having contractions about 8 hours ago every 10-15 minutes then about an hour ago they totally stopped. I'm a FtM so I have no idea what to expect. Is this normal? Will they likely come back soon? I thought this was it b/c I've had some contractions over the last week but never anything this long or consistent. any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I think this can be normal. I have had a couple friends that had contractions over a couple days for a couple hours at a time. Your body is just preparing itself. Look into prodromal labor and good luck!

[Anonymous]

It is normal. Your cervix probably dilated some during the 8 hours, so it was not for nothing. Enjoy the break and get some rest.

[Anonymous]

Went through this last week as well and wasn't even dilated when going to to dr. Dehydration is probably the culprit. Drink LOTS of water and hope they come back.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me about 4 days before my due date. I called in to work, as did my daughter's dad, and then... nothing. It all just stopped. I felt like a moron.

Until two days later, I woke up, thought I'd peed my pants and my water had broken. That time, I actually did go into labor and had the baby, the day before my due date. So you're probably close!
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

This happened to me. I had consistent contractions for about 7 hours that were 7-8 minutes apart, but then they suddently started getting farther apart until I had gone more than an hour without a contraction. Went for about six hours with contractions that were 45 mins to 1 hour apart. Ate lunch, contractions came back but were still 15 minutes apart. That is why I was so surprised when, at that point, my water broke suddenly!

[Anonymous]

I had this happen at 40 weeks and 3 days. About 8hrs of contractions overnight, then they just stopped about 5am. I kind of lost it -- thought I was going to be the first woman pregnant forever, etcetcetc...

The next night they started up again, but they didn't stop. I didn't realize they weren't going to stop until about 6am when my water broke, otherwise it had been just like the night before. My daughter was born at 11am, so I only knew it was the real thing for 5 hours.

It might well be VERY soon. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank everyone for you experiences. PP, you just gave me hope! I do feel like I will be permanently pregnant at this point! Hopefully soon!

[Anonymous]

OP, how are you doing today? I am 39 weeks and I am eager to hear about others' experiences. We're all pulling for you, so keep us posted!

[Anonymous]

OP here, still no baby On and off contractions- more off then on. If anyone has any ideas about how to get things going I'm all ears!!!

[Anonymous]

you could try cod liver oil.

[Anonymous]

i know the waiting sucks and the temptation is to get labor going. i believe that the only thing that has been scientifically 'proven' to have an effect on when labor starts is having sex, due to the prostoglandins released. i know a few people for whom cod liver oil worked, but it seems about half and half as to whether they'd ever do it again, because it gives you violent intestinal distress. even though i know it's hard to wait (my first baby was born at 41 weeks 6 days so i remember it well) i think you're in great shape -- you're only 40 weeks (when normal pregnancy can go to 42) and you're already having contractions. that's a great sign that your body is gearing up nicely. i know it's hard when all you want to do is go into labor and have your baby, but i hope you can enjoy these last days and have faith that it will happen when the time is right for the babe.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI -- it's Castor Oil, NOT cod liver oil.

[Anonymous]

OP, go have sex. I know, so fun while >40 weeks.