I am 38 weeks 4 days and have been having mild contractions for about 4 hours now. Earlier today I was really nauseous and have been having loose bowels for several days. I was induced with my first two (and will be in 7 days if baby doesn't come sooner), so I've never gone into labor on my own. My back is KILLING me....it's been hurting almost constantly for the past 4 hours. I am just not sure if these are BH contractions or if this is the start of labor. The contractions aren't too bad, a few have been painful, but not all of them. I don't think I'm in active labor yet, but something has just been urging me the past few days to keep the house tidied and have my bags ready.
False alarm, contractions stopped late last night. I do feel a lot more pressure this morning, so maybe things are slowly moving along! Thanks everyone!
And with all due respect, whether or not I am induced is between me, my husband, and my doctor. I live an hour away from my hospital and I DO delivery very big babies and have very fast labors. Please stick to the questions asked and let's all stop judging each other. I have stopped coming to this site with a lot of my questions because I KNOW I'm just going to get people down my back. Thank you to those who answered my question. I'm still having contractions this morning, but they still just seem so irregular.
when in doubt go to the hosp. you just never know, some women have what they think are BH and end up barely making it to the hosp in time. just go in and let them hook you up to the fetal monitor. if you are hoorah and if not they'll just send you home. better safe than sorry!
Oh my gosh, I respectfully disagree with the post that said go to the hospital just in case. I believe the VAST majority of women know when they are in labor, especially when they get to transition. Being in the hospital brings such a risk of interference to your labor/pregnancy. Often hospitals don't send women home in early labor, and instead start interventions to get labor going (many of which lead to C-section.) I was also wondering if there is a medical reason why you will be induced. E
ach baby comes on its own schedule, and if a baby would naturally be born at 42 weeks and you induce at 39 or 40 weeks, that baby is coming two or three weeks before it would have been due, even if it is considered full term. NPR just did a story on the risks of inductions, even when they are done "at term." http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/138473097/doctors-to-pregna...
Off of webmd
What Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like?
Braxton Hicks contractions can be described as tightening in the abdomen that comes and goes. These contractions are typically not painful and do not occur at regular intervals. They do not get closer together, do not increase with walking, do not increase in how long they last, and do not feel stronger over time as they do when you are in true labor.
What Do True Labor Contractions Feel Like?
The way a true labor contraction feels is different for each woman and may feel different from one pregnancy to the next. Labor contractions cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and/or lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Some women may also feel pain in their sides and thighs. Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps, while others describe them as strong waves that feel like diarrhea cramps.
There is a good little guide here is the link http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor
check it out and if in doubt go to your hospital or call a nurse line
good luck!
Write down when you feel the contractions. If they're at regular, frequent intervals and start progressing, it's labor.
With all due respect why do you keep being induced? I am a former NICU Respiratory Therapist and now a midwife. The average gestation age for a baby is 41 weeks. If there is not a true medical reason for induction maybe the reason you have not ever gone into labor on your own is because you have been induced too early. It is healthier and safer for your baby to decide when it is ready to be born.
Take Care.
With my first child I had back labor and it was one long contraction with severe back pain such that I couldn't lay down very well. It only lasted 2 1/2 hours total, but there were no coming and going contractions to time, so I was also confused about whether it was labor. I finally went to the hospital when I bled a little. I was in serious transition by the time I got there and delivered about 1/2 hour after arriving. I did have diarrhea earlier that day, and I have found with other pregnancies that that is usually a sign its about to start. You can always call your ob and go in for an appointment today if you're not sure and they will tell you. I did that with my 6th child because I wasn't sure and when I got there I was 6 cm dialated and went straight to the hospital. The reason I wasn't sure that time is because I had so many braxton hicks for the last month and the contractions were still random and 10 - 30 minutes apart. So you never know and each pregnancy is different.
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You'll know if they are real contractions if you are in such pain that you can't talk during them. It sounds like you might be in pre-labor and true labor is in your near future.
I hope all goes smoothly for you and your new little one!
