cramping, contracting every 10-15 minutes, bursts of energy, backache more intense..... sings of labor?

Question

for the past 3 days, i've been experiencing cramping, contrations every 10-15 minutes (they dont hurt), bursts of energy, *hot flashes*, nausia, and my back has hurt through the whole pregnancy, but its steadily getting worse... could these be signs that "the end is near"?

Answer 1

The end is near... the bursts of energy is your "nesting" sense kicking in have fun organizing but try not to do any serious furniture moving. You are experiencing false labour pains. Real labor are... Contrations every 5 minutes and pain intensifies with time and you dont even feel like moving becuase you are scared :)

Answer 2

It sounds like they could be Braxton Hicks contractions. Here is more info.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks are sporadic uterine contractions that actually start at about 6 weeks, although you won't be able to feel them that early. You probably won't start to notice them until sometime after midpregnancy, if you notice them at all (some women don't). They get their name from John Braxton Hicks, an English doctor who first described them in 1872.

As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to come somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they should remain infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless. Sometimes, though, Braxton Hicks are hard to distinguish from early signs of preterm labor. Play it safe and don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. If you haven't hit 37 weeks yet and you're having four or more contractions in an hour, or have any other signs of preterm labor, call your caregiver immediately.

By the time you're within a couple of weeks of your due date, these contractions may get more intense and more frequent, and cause some discomfort. Unlike the earlier painless and sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions that caused no obvious cervical change, these may help your cervix "ripen": gradually soften and efface, and maybe even begin to dilate a bit. This period is sometimes referred to as "pre-labor."

How can I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and true labor contractions?
In the days or weeks before labor, Braxton Hicks contractions may intermittently become rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful, at times fooling you into thinking you're in labor. But unlike true labor, during this so-called "false labor" the contractions don't grow consistently longer, stronger, and closer together.

Answer 3

If the contracting is happening every 10 to 15 minutes consistently and isn't stopping then it's definitely the early stages of labor. If it stops when you change activities then it's what's called braxton hicks (false labor pains). You need to watch for the other signs of labor like the shedding of the mucus membrane. Once that starts you'll have your baby soon! Either way the end is coming!!! Congratulations, Good luck and enjoy your new baby.

Answer 4

even if your contractions don't "hurt", if you are noticing a pattern and they are getting consistently closer together, then you're probably in labor and you may want to call your ob. if your contractions are sporadic and inconsistent, it may be braxton hicks contractions which are normal toward the end of pregnancy, but do not signify that the baby is coming. the backache is normal, too... if you are noticing it along with the contractions, that could be a sign of labor also, or if it is always there, it may just be the extra weight that you are carrying around from the baby.
if you're concerned about it, call your ob.
good luck and congratulations!

Answer 5

I'm due in about a week, and I've had the same issue for the last 3 weeks. I completly understand your frustration. At first my doctor told me that they were braxton hicks, but now I'm starting to dialate, and I guess its just a very long early stage of labor. So it definatly means baby will come soon, they just like to take their sweet lil time and cause us a lot of pain. LOL.

Answer 6

You sound like you're in early labor. If you are before 37 weeks, call your caregiver. If not, lay back and rest as much as you can. It gets a lot harder than what you're experiencing right now, and you need to reserve your energy (take it from someone who wishes she had taken that advice herself last year!)

As far as the back pain, try and get on your hands and knees or swim tummy-down as much as you can. Your back could be hurting because baby could be posterior (head down, but facing the wrong direction). this could result in painful back labor and trust me (again from someone who wishes she had taken this advice) you dont want back labor. If you have a big exercise ball, this can be a great help as well. You can flop yourself on top of it, or sit on top of it (sitting pu straight on something like this is another way to help baby to turn the right direction) - this is great to do thru contractions in labor as well. Try not to lay on your back, or slump on the couch, gravity pulls baby the wrong way when you do this (I know its hard).

Good luck, sister! I hope you have a great birth.

Answer 7

Yes. You may start to feel pressure in your pelvic area also. If the contractions become more intense and closer together (5 min), go to the ER or call you physician. If this is your first prgenancy, labor can usually last for hours.

Answer 8

ah the labor question. It could be braxton hicks. Those can go on for weeks, months sorry to say. When they are 3 minutes apart and you can't walk or talk, then the end is near.

Answer 9

That is all I had and when I went to get checked at the hospital I was dilated to 7.
I never had the hard, hurting contractions with my fist.
The hardest contraction felt like when your stomach tightens up when sneeze a lot.
So do to the Dr to get checked.

Answer 10

lol...don't you hope that the end is near...

you're probably experiancing braxton hicks, cause if it were real contractions, you'd be in some pain sweetie...

but you should go walking, and maybe even swimming...that might help you along. when was your last dr.s appointment? when's your next? you should let your dr know, he may want you to go in for an exam to see where your cervix is...

good luck