Prodromal Labor
Labor during a cryptic pregnancy is just as unpredictable as all the rest of it. Some cases of cryptic pregnancy will result in a normal labor, starting and ending in a baby. In such cases, I believe that the gestational time is more normal rather than protracted. In many cases the woman will experience what is known as prodromal labor. Prodromal labor is a type of labor that happens prior to the onset of full active labor. It is often considered a type of “false-labor,” but this is a misconception. The contractions are real, but they start and stop. Prodromal labor is different than Braxton Hicks. Braxton Hicks contractions are often not regular or intense, while prodromal labor can follow a very regular contraction pattern and vary in intensity. Prodromal labor often starts and stops around the same time each day or night for a period of time. In a cryptic pregnancy with a protracted gestation time, prodromal labor may start around 40 weeks. It may last for weeks at a time and suddenly go away for months before starting up again.
It still is unclear what causes labor to begin. There are several theories though. One possibility is that the mother's pituitary gland secretes oxytocin when the baby is fully developed and ready to be born. Oxytocin is the hormone that stimulates contractions. For many years, it was believed that the mother's body was responsible for starting labor. Some researchers now believe that the baby actually starts labor. The baby sends a signal to the mother's body that causes labor to start. One theory is that the baby's lungs secrete an enzyme when they are fully developed. This causes prostaglandins to be released into the mother's system. The prostaglandins then trigger changes in the cervix and contractions. Another theory is that the baby's adrenal glands send a signal to start labor. When the baby is ready to be born, the adrenal glands produce hormones. These hormones cause hormonal changes in the mother. These changes are responsible for the process that starts labor. In theory, there is another hormonal imbalance occurring. The mother’s body wants to start labor, but the fetus is not developed enough to survive outside of the womb, so a type of “tug of war” is started that is not resolved until the fetus is ready.
Prodromal labor symptoms may include:
Back pain- low or high, if your uterus is retroverted, you can feel this as high as your shoulder blades
Nausea/vomiting
Headaches
Dizziness
Chills
Hot flashes
Cold sweats
Vision issues
Diarrhea
All over body aches, like the flu but without the fever
Muscles may hurt like a hard workout at the gym
Leg labor- aches and pains that will radiate from the hips down the legs
Hip and pelvis aches and pains- your hips may feel as though they are being separated
Sudden episodes of nausea followed by sudden intense hunger
Sudden urges to urinate- you may become incontinent to some degree
Tail bone pain- can be sudden and sharp or it can ache
Heart palpitations
Heart burn
Over all tension and tightness in the entire torso
Achy arms
Metallic taste in mouth
Period type cramps- can become very intense
The entire vaginal area can ache and feel bruised
Swelling of vaginal walls
Achy breasts- sharp shooting pains as well
Extreme thirst
Sever irritability
Sudden sever mood swings
Extreme fatigue
Episodes of sudden energy or feeling uneasy- may show itself in the need to nest
Strong Braxton Hicks contractions
Stabbing pains in the sides, similar to when you get a cramp while running
Sharp pains, dull aches, pinches, tugs, pulls etc. anywhere in the abdomen.
Cervical aches, pinches, burning and sharp pains that may feel like being stabbed with a needle
Rectum aches, pinches, burning and sharp pains that may feel like being stabbed with a needle
Pressure on the cervix and or rectum – or the entire pelvic floor
If the woman experiences prodromal labor over a lengthy period of time, usually once active labor sets in, it is a very short amount of time for pushing before the baby is born.
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