Prodromal Labor and How to Avoid It

Have you heard of a mom having painful contractions for hours but they don't get stronger, closer together and aren't causing significant cervical change? This is prodromal labor or false labor. It is frustrating and exhausting.

What causes prodromal labor? Healthcare providers don't really know. They do know that it is normal and harmless. This is not what a mom experiencing it wants to hear. Doulas and midwives have some ideas on what is happening. One is that it is helping uterine muscles and ligaments prepare for actual labor. Another is that baby is not optimally positioned so labor isn't progressing.

What can a mom do who is experiencing prodromal labor? As a doula, when my client describes her contractions as not progressing or not getting any more intense, the first things I advise are for her to drink at least 16 oz of an electrolyte drink and to take a long hot shower or bath. If the contractions are still lingering, I share some movements and stretches with her that can help to open the pelvis and assist baby to move into a more optimal position. Key is to listen to your body and stop immediately if any movement or position causes pain.

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Recommended movements to help baby engage in an optimal position for labor progression.

1. Lunges - equal count on left and right side, holding stretch for 1 minute per side https://www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/techniques/other-techniques/lunge/

2. Curb walking -be sure to do both legs

3. Spinning Babies Three Balances https://www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/techniques/three-ways-to-body-balance/

4. Hip Circles and Pelvic Tucks/Untucks- https://youtu.be/3qZGTPdupXg?si=7q3VI875HInO7JMo

5. Glute Scoot - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18yesFfLhv/

These movements should be done in between mom resting and nourishing herself. They shouldn't be performed against the adivice of her provider. These are not guaranteed to give any specific results but are helpful for encouraging baby into an optimal position.