During each of my pregnancies, I discovered new words and terms I’d never heard of before, like placenta previa, nuchal cord, VBAC, and HBAC, among others. After having several kids and working as a doula for many others, I thought I had a good grasp of all the pregnancy and birth-related terms. But then, I encountered something new: prodromal labor.
Prodromal labor happens before full active labor starts. Often mistaken as “false labor,” the truth is the contractions are genuine, but they start and stop, making it real labor in terms of discomfort and regularity, but unpredictable in timing.
This kind of labor often occurs at predictable times each day or at regular intervals, leading many moms, even those with experience, to call their birth team or visit the hospital. It can persist for days, weeks, or even more than a month, starting and stopping daily, typically at the same time.
Many confuse prodromal labor with Braxton Hicks contractions, but they’re not the same. Nearly every pregnant woman encounters Braxton Hicks, which are “practice contractions.” These can become tight and uncomfortable, but they usually don’t last long or grow more intense. Braxton Hicks contractions can often be relieved by drinking water, eating, or relaxing—methods not effective for prodromal labor. Moreover, prodromal labor can lead to gradual cervical dilation or effacement, unlike Braxton Hicks.
Prodromal labor contractions tend to be more regular and can vary in intensity, unlike the irregular and less intense Braxton Hicks. While the exact cause of prodromal labor isn’t definitively known, it’s generally seen as the body’s preparation for true labor.
After experiencing prodromal labor myself, I can confirm that the contractions are intense and feel like early labor pains I felt in other pregnancies. These contractions took a significant physical toll, but the real challenge was the emotional drain due to a lack of sleep. My prodromal labor began about a month before my baby arrived, hitting me almost nightly from 1 to 5 AM, hindering my rest.
Even with my labor experiences, I once called the midwives during those nights because the contractions were so strong and frequent, it felt like my first labor all over again. This pattern unfolded for weeks, leaving me second-guessing each night if real labor was starting and nearly driving me crazy. I found several coping strategies that helped maintain my sanity, which could help others too:
It was frustrating that contractions felt like genuine labor but never progressed to active labor. They hurt, occurred regularly, and were easy to time. After weeks of this cycle, I felt drained every night, questioning if I’d be able to identify real labor when it finally came, telling my husband, “I can’t do this every night; I’m exhausted!”
Chatting with friends who had been through prodromal labor and learning more about it online was helpful. Though it was my first experience, prodromal labor is a fairly common phenomenon that many women go through, and it tends to make us feel a bit overwhelmed.
It’s important to remember you’re not losing it! The contractions are indeed real, they do hurt and, eventually, they’ll bring your baby into your arms! If there’s an upside to prodromal labor, it’s that the contractions’ intensity and timing are very much real. Even though it might not feel reassuring in the middle of the night when you’d rather be sleeping, I figured I might as well use the contractions as an opportunity to practice relaxation techniques.
Find relaxation methods that work for you, like breathing, moving, or using calming techniques. Since prodromal labor might be partly due to the baby being in a less-than-optimal position, exercises and stretches could improve the baby’s position and help calm or accelerate the contractions.
The hardest part for me was battling physical exhaustion, especially when prodromal labor happened at night. After several weeks, I managed to sleep during the contractions occasionally but didn’t feel rested until my baby was born. Natural sleep aids can also help, or consult your doctor or midwife for advice. Napping during the day or resting when you can is beneficial, too.
The uncertainty of knowing when prodromal labor becomes active labor is frustrating, leading to multiple false alarms. Learning about self-checking dilation techniques was handy for knowing when labor had truly commenced.
A relaxing soak with a little lavender or chamomile oil can be soothing and pass the time gently. Women who experience prodromal labor often have shorter active labors, so it’s critical to maintain proper hydration and nutrition to be prepared when labor begins. After lengthy prodromal labor, exhaustion can be tough on the body. I mixed my own electrolyte drinks or used convenient portable options that tasted great.
Don’t feel embarrassed to reach out to your midwife if needed; that’s what they’re there for! Each pregnancy is unique, and seeking guidance and assurance from them can be comforting.
Although prodromal labor might seem pointless and tiring, many women report shorter active labor durations, aligning with my own experience of faster labor compared to previous ones. Prodromal labor doesn’t guarantee a brief total labor, but it often eases the process for many women. If you’re dealing with prodromal labor, try focusing on the fact that, even though you’re not in active labor yet, these contractions are your body’s prep work, potentially making it easier when real labor starts.
