Can labor start and stop? Any L&D nurses?

Once real labor starts, it can definitely slow down, either intentionally with medication (as in preterm labor) or on it's own (we call that "sluggish".) Pitocin is often used to augment a sluggish labor and in all the years I've worked in L&D, we've never really had someone in active labor spontaneously stop, probably because we're there pushing the pit if it gets sluggish. Anyway, yes, I'm sure it can.

I'm only 17 but my sister has had 3 kids and she has one on the way and this has happened to her before! It depends on how far along you are too. She was around 8 1/2 or around 9 months when she thought she was in labor but she ended up having kidney stones and I was with her at the hospital until they passed. A sign of that could be very strong pains near the bottom of your tummy (where your period cramps would be) and maybe blood in your urine from trying to pass the stone. That may be it and I could be wrong. But if I were you I'd wait about an hour to see if they get more consistent. Usually an hour after contractions start they start getting more and more consistent. They become much, much stronger and last about a minute and are five minutes apart from each other. If you really care concernced, then I'd go to the ER right away. Don't worry you won't look silly :) I'm taking College Anatomy right now so all of this is pretty interesting and I have a fair take of knowledge on this. :) A couple things I heard about getting labor started is Castor Oil. I wouldn't suggest it because it also makes you poop! Another is Balsamic Vinegar, so if you like salad put some of that on it with some oil and have quite a few salads and see how things go! :) I hope I helped & I wish you the best of luck with your new bundle of joy :)

yes. My labor started and contractions were 5 min apart for hours before stopping. I had my baby a week later with a very short labor the intensified very quickly-there was no stage 1 labor the second time.

my mother contracted all the way to 4 cm and having contractions every 3 min and she lost her plug then she went to the hospital they broke her water and her contractions stoped. my brother went up higher and she was put on pit and it still didnt help 14 hours later it finaly started helping her.

yep its called false labor. remember if your water breaks then go to the hospital immediatly even if the contactions stop.

Yes labor can start and stop.