2006-06-09 06:33:31 · 11 answers · asked by cookie1234 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
As much as I'm sure you're sick and tired of hearing it, you WILL know. I used to get so frustrated, and sometimes downright angry when people said that to me. You will know though.
I assume that you're having Braxton-Hicks contractions now. Imagine that, only your uterus contracting a little bit stronger with a LOT of pain. Like really really really really bad menstrual cramps. My contractions actually stopped my breathing. Well, they didn't...I held my breath through mine. My husband had to remind me to breathe. lol After I got my epidural, it was smooth sailing. I was in heaven!
Seriously though, the BH contractions are mild and non-painful. Real contractions are tense and hurt like a b*tch. Trust me, you will know.
2006-06-09 08:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
K.. first let me say that everyone that says your water will break when labor begins isn't right. Water sacs only break in about 20% of women when labor first starts. It's usually contractions that get things moving.
You will know that labor has truely started if your contractions are around 10 mins apart- some womens contractions are never regular or evenly spaced, so sometimes even this isn't a good indication. If you are having problems talking through your contractions, if you have to stop walking when you have a contraction this is a good indication of real labor. False labor usually goes away if you move around a little. Warm baths will also help false labor pains. If you have a bath and you are still contracting and it isn't getting better, the chances are you are in labor.
Your water may break. Sometimes it's a gush, sometimes it's just a trickle- kinda feels like you peed your pants.
You may get some bloody show right before labor begins, this is caused by the cervix starting to dialate, which causes blood capillaries to burst. This isn't bad, it's pretty normal. You shouldn't have a lot of blood, but a little is fine.
I would call your doctor if you feel things are moving along. They can always check you. You can also call or go to labor and delivery. They will check you out and monitor you for a while to see how your contractions are, and see how far apart they are. You may be sent home, or out to walk for a while, but don't get discouraged, it will happen when it happens.
I hope this helps.
2006-06-09 14:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drink a quart of water and lay down. If the contractions are still going after an hour, and still getting closer together, its real (for whatever reason, the water will stop false labor) Its doctor's advice to me that worked. Check with your doctor about how close the contractions need to be before you go in (usually 6-7 minutes). And if your water breaks, go in immediately.
2006-06-09 13:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by Velken 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well for me, it was a general achiness, a 'knowing' that something was off. You might get a lot of lower back pain, but your water might not break immediately, took mine 12 hours to break, but you will start feeling cramping sensations, like when you have a period, which can be anywhere from mild to severe. That means your are having contractions, and since you are only 10 days off, that will be your sign of labor. Good luck and don't worry, you will be fine.
2006-06-09 13:41:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i went in labor my water broke and my contractions were exactly 3 mins appart and each one was twice as bad as the one before. two days before that i went to the hospital with false labor...the difference with those contractions were they didnt really hurt and the pain wasnt getting worse. the contractions were exactly 5 mins apart but then after a few hours they werent consistant anymore. dont worry you'll know labor when it comes...the contractions will feel worse than any contractions you've had before
2006-06-09 13:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by gaigesmommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to explain but you will just know.. Your contractions will become painful and regular, or your water will break.. both don't always happen.. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child my water broke but I never started having contractions. With my first I had contractions but my water didn't break.. but you'll just know.. when you wonder if it's real it probably isn't.. when it's real you will be sure.
2006-06-09 14:22:59 · answer #6 · answered by Amy L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My water never broke on it's own but the contractions could be very obviously timed compared to the Braxton-Hicks ones that came and went whenever.
2006-06-09 13:40:04 · answer #7 · answered by SUzyQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most of the time your water breaks, and you start with allot of lower back pain. When you start true labor you will know it.
2006-06-09 13:37:35 · answer #8 · answered by xena_75 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trust me when it happens you'll know. Your water will break when you start going into labor for one thing.
2006-06-09 13:35:49 · answer #9 · answered by HD-Bikerin Fla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had back pain all night, and was extremely irritable, then my water broke, you'll know.
2006-06-09 13:43:05 · answer #10 · answered by JoKeR_GiRl☻ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋