Understanding False Labor: What You Need to Know During Pregnancy

Question
Hello...I am 38 wks pregnant. I have been dilated to 4 cm and 50% effaced for nearly 2 wks now. Last week I went into the hospital with contractions every 4-6 min apart for apprx 2 hrs, but when I got to the hospital they completely stopped. They monitored me for an hour and had me walk for an hour but I made no change so they sent me home. I am guessing that I must be having false labor, but I didn't know that false labor could dilate your cervix. Since then I have had sporadic contractions. How long can you be in false labor for without progressing? Also, what signs should I look for that I have gone into true labor?

Answer
Hi Shauna :)

Wow, well you certainly are progressing nicely. You could go into active labour at any given time, so make sure you are always close to the hospital!

False labour doesnt dialate your cervix. Thats exactly the reason why the term "false" is used to describe it. Your body over the last couple of weeks has dialated and effaced on its own, and it probably was a slow process. I am not so sure given your description, that your labour was indeed false. Your contractions and pain, could have been a result of true labour, however sometimes even true labour can stop if it is not active.

Your contractions that you are experiencing right now, may not be false either. Your body could simply be trying to go into active labour, but hasnt had a steady rythm yet. I wouldnt be surprised in the least if you  could be dialated another cm by now!

The key to labour, is consistency. So if your pains are 40 seconds, to over a minute in length, and come anywhere between 5-7 minutes, then thats considered to be true labour. You have already experienced this, however your body quit, and that is not uncommon for your stage of pregnancy.

Also, if your bag of water breaks, it can immediately send you into active labour. So keep an eye out for that as well.

Given your description, I think at any given time now you are going to go into active labour. But right now, its simply up to your body to regulate the labour and make it consistant.

If this happens again, and you end up in hospital and your labour quits again, dont be surprised if this time they keep you in, and help induce labour to make it consistant, and active. This can be done by giving you pitocin, or simply by breaking your water :)

Hope this is of some help, and thanks for writing!

-Kristy