How did you know you were really in labor?

Answer 1

I didn't!!! i thought they were pre-labor contractions because i was 38 weeks and they weren't 5 minutes apart like the doctor said they would be, they were random like 10 minutes then 6 minutes, never consistent but by 2 am couldn't take it no more so i called my doctor. he said come on in, and i was 6 centimeters dilated!! i was shocked, but then when the nurse said i might not be able to get an epidural because I'm so far along i freaked out and said hurry get my doctor back in here now i cant do this natural! by the time he got there i was 8 cent. but he gave it to me anyway and boy did i feel better, long story short if you get contractions so bad that it stops you in your tracks or makes you wanna scream, Go to the hospital!! i was almost too late you don't want that to happen to you. even if theyre not every 4 min. or 5 min. like alot of docors say. im proof.

Answer 2

you will definitly know, there is no mistaking it. though if you want my best advice as a mother of two, wait as long as you can possibly stand it before going to the hospital, studies have show that women who wait have a far less chance of interventions like inducing labor, c section, etc. be careful! the c section rate in the USA is waaaay high, somewhere around 30% while in europe and the UK its only 2%. they do not have a higher infant death rate either. take a warm bath and have your partner pour the warm water over your belly during contractions, this worked wonders for my second. i went as soon as i felt the contractions with the first, and ended up having pain meds, an IV, monitors strapping me to the bed, and finally an epidural. i had my second less than 5 mins after we got to the hospital. it was wonderful, no IV, no piss test, no monitors, no breaking my water, just having a baby. (and the honest truth about an epidural? it doesnt take away the pain of the baby coming out, only the contractions, it actually hurt more to have my son with the epidural than it did to have my daughter without.) good luck, feel free to mail me with any mommy questions.

Answer 3

When I went into labor...it was very weird for me. The only way I knew I was really in labor was from them telling me so.. I had no real labor pains. I had major , major cramping to the point I couldn't take it..They weren't even reading on the monitor....They thought it was weird and so did I...But congrats when you have your baby!!

Answer 4

I called the labor and delivery unit at the hospital. They had me come in. I thought I was just crampy from something I ate, but turns out I was already 2 cm dilated and 80%.

Answer 5

with my first son i knew by counting contractions. with my twins,, i kept thinking i was in labor and going to the hospital to get checked, then sent home. when i finally was in labor (the day of my scheduled c-section ) i didnt know if it was another false alarm and thought maybe it was really bad gas pains. finally i went back to the hospital and by the time they got me checked they were telling me not to push and i had an emergency c-section. i suggest if you ever feel that you might be in labor not to hesitate going to the hospial and getting checked :)

Answer 6

I felt like a had really bad stomach cramps from gas, but I was able to time it after about an hour I noticed, then my water broke when I got up for a glass of juice :)

Answer 7

they doctor put me on pitocin and I started having contractions (also water broke), I really don't know what it is like to actually go into labor

Answer 8

Well, with my son I woke up around 5am and I was all wet...contractions didn't start till around 545-6am..then I got sick to my stomach. Believe me you'll know! Good luck!

Answer 9

My back hurt really bad and the contractions wouldn't go away. When your back hurts and its close to that time make sure everything is ready because you time is very very close.

Answer 10

Well, a baby protruding would really be an indicator. Otherwise I think the question has been well answered...