As I write this, I am one day away from my “golden date,” which means that I am one day away from being 37 weeks pregnant. Why is that date so important to me? At exactly 37 weeks, I am “allowed” to have my baby at home with my wonderful midwife, rather than in the hospital with a staff that isn’t too fond of home birthers.
Last night, though, we had a bit of a scare. I had contractions all day. They were big, strong, and pushed down on my pelvis. Nothing I did to slow them down had much of an impact for long. Even after I went to bed I woke up probably 10-15 times with them. It was a rough night because I did not want to go to the hospital simply because I was two days before my magic date. Now, if there was something wrong with the baby, then that would be a different story and I’d have no problem going to the hospital if needed. But if I had to go just to satisfy a law that set an arbitrary day as safe, based on an estimated due date, then I would have been pretty upset.
Thankfully, the contractions didn’t morph into labor last night, so I am safe – for now. Just make it to midnight tonight, little baby, then feel free to come whenever you decide you’re ready! …well, as long as it’s not more than two weeks after your “due date” because then we’d have to deal with more drama, but then about you being “late.”
Anyway, last night’s excitement got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, other pregnant mothers may have trouble with contracting too much, too early. I start contracting fairly early in my pregnancies, so have a lot of experience with slowing down unwanted contractions.
I’d like to share some tips on what usually helps my body calm down when my contractions start to cause concern.
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COMMON CAUSES
First, it may be a good idea to go over a few common factors that can bring on contractions (or what feels like cramping early in pregnancy).
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Dehydration
Lack of water is probably the most common cause of non-labor contractions. This is easily fixed by drinking several glasses of water or Red Raspberry Infusion. If you have chronic contraction problems then upping water intake throughout the day will help.
Stress
Large amounts of stress can start contractions. The best thing to do in this case is to relax and try to remove or resolve the cause of your anxiety.
Overexertion
Overdoing it is one of my main causes of contractions. If possible, the best thing to do is stop. Take it easy. Just lie down or take a warm bath and let your body recover. Also, try to avoid lifting heavy objects or doing too many physical activities in one day. Many times, if you overdo it one day, the next day is when your body pays for it.
(I am preaching to myself here. During my second pregnancy we lived on the third floor and had almost no furniture. When my nesting instincts kicked in, I went crazy trying to get the place ready. By far my most dim-witted idea was to drag two large dressers and a bookshelf up to our third-floor apartment while my husband was at work. So there I was, eight months pregnant, trying to pull these solid wood monstrosities up three flights of stairs all alone. I finally realized that I was being an idiot, and found a kind maintenance man in the apartment office to take them the rest of the way. Of course, that little venture took me quite a while to recover from.)
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MY CONTRACTION REMEDIES
Now that I’ve gone over a few causes of contractions, I’ll list my personal remedies for contractions that just won’t stop. As always, check with your midwife or doctor first before using any new herbs or tinctures.
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Rest and Relaxation
Yep, I said it before, but this is important. If your body is stressed, overexerted, or simply worn out from the day, this is the first thing you want to do. Either lay down or take a bath. Let your body recover. My favorite is taking a warm, candlelit bath with one or all of the following remedies:
Red Raspberry Leaf Infusion
As I have mentioned before, red raspberry leaf is arguably the herb for women’s reproductive health. It strengthens the uterus and packed with vital nutrients for childbearing years. Taking a large glass or two of this infusion will help reduce contractions. If dehydrated, it will hydrate you, and the vitamins will help make your contractions productive. Meaning, if your contractions aren’t doing anything productive, such as bringing a baby into the world during labor, then red raspberry will help stop them.
Cramp Bark
Cramp bark is an amazing little remedy. It is generally used to relieve menstrual cramping. However, since it does so by reducing uterine contractions, it also helps reduce contractions during pregnancy. I have not come across any warnings about its use, except an unverified caution against using it if you are sensitive to aspirin.
The best way to take cramp bark is as a tincture. You can easily find this at a health food store. Just drop the recommended dose into a large glass of water. I find the taste pleasant, but if you don’t care for it, put it into just a little water and take it like a shot.
St. John’s Wort
This is another herb that works best as a tincture. By the way, if you don’t know what a tincture is, it is a concentrated liquid of an herb. Each one comes in a small bottle with a dropper. Doses are generally measured by counting how many drops you add to your water or tea. St. John’s Wort is most frequently used to treat depression. It calms and uplifts a person’s mind, which is perfect if you’re experiencing contractions brought on by stress or anxiety.
Red Wine
Okay, so I hesitated to add this to the list… wait, no, that’s not true. I briefly considered hesitating to add this, but that didn’t last long.
Now, I know that alcohol of any kind is decried for pregnant women because of fetal alcohol syndrome. It’s quite a touchy subject here in the U.S. In fact, during my first pregnancy a nurse told me that any amount at any time during pregnancy could cause serious damage. But then she also told me not to worry about any alcohol I’d consumed early on before I knew I was pregnant because it wouldn’t harm the baby. And yet during those first couple months is when the baby is at highest risk for birth defects and miscarriage. Make sense to you? Me neither.
Anyway, wine has long been used medicinally, even during pregnancy, and is still consumed in other developed countries by pregnant women. I personally view it as much safer than any prescribed drugs that could stop early labor, but that is between you and your own care provider. I’ll just share what I’ve found to help.
I personally only use red wine as a last resort, and only in the second half of pregnancy. When the chance of miscarriage and developing birth defects is high, as it is in the first trimester, I don’t touch the stuff. However, if none of the previous remedies have lessened my contractions and I truly am concerned about going into early labor, I drink a very small glass of wine – roughly a quarter of a glass – with bready food (I’m a lightweight, so don’t feel comfortable having more than that). The wine helps relax muscles, including uterine muscles. It also reduces any stress or anxiety that could be causing contractions. When all else has failed, there have been a few times when that little glass of wine finally stops the contractions or cramping.
Remember, whether it’s alcohol or caffeine or sugar, whatever you consume your baby does as well. And your baby feels it more than you do. So, if you feel lightheaded from any wine because you had too much or took it on an empty stomach, then your baby is probably reeling inside.
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So, there you have it. A few tips or ideas that may help you lessen contractions, especially ones that could easily turn into preterm labor.
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Please remember that I am not a doctor, midwife, or scientist. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned, what I’ve used, and what helps me and other women I’ve talked to. All of these mentioned have been suggested to me by a midwife or doctor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that each one is good for you as well.
I know what you mean about wine usage in pregnancy. I will often times recommend this as a suitable means to stop early labor or calm a cranky uterus. My first time moms especially will look at me like I’m nuts, but alcohol has been used for centuries to relax uterine muscles and even in small amounts is quite effective. Seems safer than the pharmaceutical options given for preterm labor in the hospital setting.
Yes, it is not that ANY amount of alcohol was known to cause serious effects… The statement we have operated on for years was ” there is no known safe level of alcohol intake in pregnancy”. Therefore for the past 20 years or so alcohol has been considered a no-no in pregnancy. There are now a couple of good studies out in the last few years indicating what most of us felt all along. These studies show that binge drinking is certainly problematic and if done often in pregnancy can have serious effects on baby. But having a drink (or even 2) is not what harms babies. As you have mentioned a glass of wine can be very helpful in relaxing mom and decreasing preterm contractions. And moms don’t need to feel guilty about that.
Thanks for weighing in ladies! Carol, I would love to know where to find those studies.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without
a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently
about. I am very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something relating to this.
Thank you! Your comment just brightened my day.
Also, I already have your birth center on my Find a Midwife list, but it links to a different website, called by the same name. Did the birth center move to a new website? If so, I’d like to update the link.
thank you! I’ve had early contractions with three of my four babies, this one starting around 19 weeks (4 min. apart, non progressing but definitely exhausting and interfering). The midwives just look at me and say your dehydrated, drink more. I’m drinking close to 100 oz of water a day, above and beyond smoothies, coffee, tinctures…. in other words alot. I will definitely be trying some of these helps to lessen the effect of the contractions. There’s not a lot out there to help with early contractions that you want to stop without drugs.
Oh goodness, that is a lot of water! I’m guessing dehydration is not an issue. 😉 I’m not currently pregnant, but I distinctly remember how exhausting those contractions are, especially with other children to care for. I hope you find that something here works; you certainly do not need extra fatigue right now!
My first two children never had any early contractions. Matter of fact they had to both be induced. I didn’t know what a blessing that was. My third I contracted from about four months along until delivery. Yes, very exhausting. I am now 22 weeks with my fourth and the same. I am contracting right now as I am making this comment. I am sore, exhausted, but thankful to have found more people like me. The wine and hot (ok very warm) water is all I have ever found to relieve them. Good luck everyone.
Goodness, you must be exhausted! Especially with having three children already to keep up with!
Thank you for the helpful ideas. I’m also about 29 hours away from my magical estimated date of 37 weeks that I ha to hit in order to have my home birth. And of course I’m contracting.
My last babe was born at 36 weeks at a birth center with a midwife (prior to the midwifery licensing laws getting stricter here in CA). So I’m trying hard to keep this one in! I will be having that glass of wine tonight.
A couple of other helpful suggestions:
Right now I am soaking in an Epsom salt bath. Use LOTS of Epsom salt (like at least 4 cups). Magnesium is a muscle relaxer. Often moms in preterm labor are given IV Magnesium Sulfate in the hospital.
And another thought on hydration, I was drinking tons & tons of water (during the hot summer) with my first & still contracting. My midwife suggested that I might have an electrolyte imbalance & suggested that I add an electrolyte drink (coconut water, recharge, smart water, etc) to my daily intake. This totally solved the problem for that pregnancy. I seem to be prone to electrolyte imbalance and I know now if I’m exerting myself on a hot day it doesn’t matter how much water I drink, I need to add extra electrolytes or I will become dehydrated (like headache & vomiting dehydrated).
Those are great suggestions, Laura! I use Epsom now for myself and my kids, but no one suggested that when I was having those contractions. Also, Recharge is fantastic; I’m glad you were able to discover what your body needed!
I am so thankful for this information. I am 23 weeks and was having consisten mild contractions. I was drinking water and staying in the bed but anytime i had to deal with my three other kids or anything else that excited me, i would feel contracting. I drank two cups of the red raspberry infusion and by the middle of the second cup, my uterus was relaxed again. So I am thankful that I can be a bit more at ease now….still taking it easy pf course. God bless you!
This is fantastic to read! Contractions that early can be scary…I’m so glad the red raspberry infusion helped! Thank you for telling me. You comment really just made my day. 🙂
Reblogged this on awagoh757 and commented:
Awesome great information for expecting mothers
I have been wondering about the alcohol too because back in 2014, my cousin told me that she had a daily beer with both her pregnancies. I’m not sure what type of beer, but she swears by it. Hers are two of the healthiest and most intelligent kids I’ve seen. The oldest get annual academic recognition and the youngest isn’t going school yet but it’s a well-adapted toddler.
I came across an article a few months ago where it said that European women have been traditionally drinking alcohol in pregnancy (I suppose small doses), so, it shouldn’t be so bad.
I don’t consume alcohol nor coffee (not even socially), but I see no harm in trying the small quantity of wine as a last resource. It’s prudent to listen to your body needs, and if that works, it works.
According to what you said, I’ve been dealing with overexertion. I drink A LOT of liquids, especially water and the red raspberry leaf tea on a daily basis, but I do more than I should and end up exhausted. My husband is always lecturing me over it.
One of the best articles I’ve read out there about alternatives for us moms with heavy contractions. 😉 Thank you truly. ❤️
Thank you!!
This helps a lot.
Thanks for the comment!