There are variations in early labor patterns. Early labor is from 0-3 cm dilation by common childbirth education descriptions. Sometimes, 0-4 cm. Next comes active labor from 4-10 cm, including contractions, or surges, that come on stronger and more frequently and last longer. Read more in Comparing OA and OP Labor Patterns.

 

Prodromal labor is when the uterus contracts somewhat frequently, may be strong or mild, contractions usually aren't occurring with regular intervals, but can keep a woman on alert, can keep a woman awake, and certainly can keep everyone wondering when active labor will establish.

 

Labor begins gently, contractions may be 10-20 minutes apart and gradually grow closer and stronger. Once the cervix begins to change, labor is considered starting. 

 

Early labor can stop without it being a matter of concern. In fact, its often considered quite normal. Interruptions in location (going from home to hospital, for instance) or people (the nosey neighbor, stressed family member or unfamiliar medical person) walk in or leave (partner, doula, supportive nurse, doctor, or midwife has to leave for some reason or end of shift). These can be thought of as psycho-social reasons for early labor to stop. These reasons are well known and talked about in childbirth classes, for instance.

 

Prodromal labor may start with the night and stop with the day. This is more common with pregnancies after the first, but can happen with the first. It seems more common with storm fronts. It becomes early labor if a woman's waters release (Spontaneous Rupture of the Membranes, SROM).

 

Early labor can stop when the uterus gets tired after trying to fit the baby into the pelvis.

Which may be because baby isn't engaged yet. 

Often because baby is posterior and, in this case, the head may be deflexed (extended, chin up) and the forehead is resting on the pelvic brim, and not engaged.

Early labor with a breech baby can stop/pause when the baby is trying to tilt his or her waist to get the hips into the pelvis. 

The labor may stop at any point with any fetal position if the baby can't fit further down the pelvis and the uterus gets tired. 

Rest and the right maternal position will solve most of these. Go back to the First Principle, Balance, to make more room for the baby and once labor resumes, the baby may be able to fit the next time surges build up strong again.

 

Often early labor is long because the baby isn't engaged. The uterus tries to get the baby into the pelvis. 

• Natural labor progresses when Balance activities are started first. 
• Help baby engage by helping baby flex or tuck their chin. 
• The Abdominal Lift is often amazingly helpful.  
• IV Pitocin or Syntocin may make contractions strong enough to rotate, flex or otherwise make baby descend when natural methods either don't work or aren't known. 
• Walcher's Brim Opening Position helps when contractions are regular.

Trying to start labor without attending to Balance as a first principle may look like this (a good list by Jennifaerie, but lacks the first Principle: Balance):

But the big secret seems to be if the mother is 0-3 cm she is not technically in labor! If the mother was told that she needs a cesarean for "failure to progress" it better be for a better reason that a start and stop early labor pattern. There are health reasons that may apply to you that aren't listed here, of course! Many doctors and midwives do not know the techniques to help a baby engage. Again, read Flexion or a Tucked Chin.  And then see Will baby fit? 

 

 

Prodromal labor and/or early labor have the job of building up the hormones of labor, softening the mother's lower uterine segment and cervix, and positioning the baby into the best fetal position possible for the room that's available. Make more room available with "Balancing Activities" in 3 Principles in Labor

 

When the amniotic sac is open, and the water leaks out, there is an opening to the baby and the mother's insides. It can be worthwhile to get labor started before "too long." How long is too long varies greatly among providers and a mother's needs.

There is quite a bit of discussion on other articles to get your labor started through fetal positioning. 

 

 

 

You are your baby are doing the best you can. Help your baby to help yourself.