[jjb4060]

So I went to the doctors and she said I was still at 3cm but since my contractions are so regular and so painful, that I am probably in early labor... how long can early labor last and also since my appt and since she checked my cervix, I am bleeding pretty bad, not like usual. I have little chunks of bright red blood, and every other cervical check was just a little pink... is this normal, and also does anyone have any techniques to get comfortable during contractions??

[jjb4060]

Any answers??

[DoulaLC]

So i went to the doctors and she said i was still at 3cm but since my contractions are so regular and so painful, that i am probably in early labor...how long can early labor last and also since my appt and since she checked my cervix, i am bleeding pretty bad, not like usual. i have little chunks of bright red blood, and every other cervical check was just a little pink...is this normal, and also does anyone have any techniques to get comfortable during contractions???

Early labor can last for days for some women... some women will have what is referred to as a prodromal labor. The bleeding is likely from the exam your doctor did; it can also be partly from the cervix thinning out. Certainly if it is enough to cause you concern, check with your doctor.
A few things you can try for comfort: using a birth ball, warm bath, use the contractions to practice you slow, easy breathing, try meditation, a nice massage... neck, shoulders, feet, whatever feels good, try a body pillow or a few bed pillows tucked around when you are lying down for comfort, talk to your baby, try visualization to focus on the cervix opening up and baby moving down... or put yourself in a totally different place... the contractions are waves that you breathe in and out, the warm sun is helping you to relax as you sink into the bed, etc.. Rest as much as you can for now... conserve your energy. Just think, what you do now as far as dilation, is that much less you will have to do once things really take off... you have a nice head start... :)

[J_9]

I agree with everything Doula stated. I would also like to ask if this is your first child?

[jjb4060]

This is my 2nd child but I was induced the 1st time so I don't really know what to expect as far as going into labor on my own at home... I also was wondering since both of you are the 2 that I was hoping would answer :) is there a such thing as a "calm before the storm" in terms of labor, because up until last night I was having some pretty regular painful contractions, but now I'm not having many and the baby is very relaxed, all I can feel is his head in my pubic bone...

[stormey44]

If you are bleeding that much I would go to labor and delevery and I was told after a exam if I bleed like a period to go to the hospital

[jjb4060]

Well it has slowed down at this point and the baby is moving around fine so ill probably just wait it out.

[DoulaLC]

this is my 2nd child but i was induced the 1st time so i dont really know what to expect as far as going into labor on my own at home...i also was wondering since both of you are the 2 that i was hoping would answer :) is there a such thing as a "calm before the storm" in terms of labor, because up until last night i was having some pretty regular painful contractions, but now im not having many and the baby is very relaxed, all i can feel is his head in my pubic bone...

There often is no rhymn or reason as to how things will go, only that things will eventually pick up pace the farther you go into labor. Certainly they can be quite regular and then space out a bit, only to become regular again. This can be confusing with Braxton Hicks contractions, which usually are fairly sporadic, but they can also be quite regular at times, causing some women to think they are the real thing. The biggest difference is that true labor contractions will cause changes to your cervix.