answer me this!!!?

Question

OK I asked people how I could go into labor, now I ask what do I expect when I am in active labor???

I have been having contractions that are 3 to 4 min apart for the last week and I went to the L&D yesterday and they sent me home so what I am asking is how do I know if it is something that need to go to the ER other then water breaking...

Answer 1

For those of you with visions of either giving birth in your car or making repeated "false alarm" trips to the hospital or birth center, this checklist is for you. To begin with, forget about TV portrayals of labor, where pregnant women suddenly look startled, clutch their bellies, and gasp, "This is it!"

You'll have time to figure things out. The average labor lasts nine hours in first-time mothers and six-and-a-half in women laboring again -- and that's from the onset of regular, painful contractions, occurring five to three minutes apart. Most women have several, if not many, additional hours from the time the first vague twinges begin and this pattern setting in.

While you're waiting to see what develops, here are seven guidelines that will help you distinguish between prelabor contractions and the real McCoy.

1. How do the contractions feel? Labor contractions are felt low in the groin or in the lower back. They may radiate from front to back or back to front or down your legs. They are dull and crampy like menstrual or gas cramps. Prelabor contractions, which you may have been experiencing for months, feel like a tightening across your belly or like the baby suddenly stretched in all directions.

2. How strong are they? A good, business-like labor contraction is strong enough that you cannot walk or talk while you are having it.

3. How close together? To measure the contraction interval, time from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. You are looking for a mostly regular pattern three to five minutes apart. The usual advice, barring special considerations, is to make your move when they have been this close together for a couple of hours if this is a first baby and an hour if you have given birth before.

4. How long do they last? Contractions should last roughly a minute from start to finish. Sometimes in early labor they may seem to last much longer but that's generally because they are mild enough that it's hard to tell when they begin and end.

5. Has the pattern changed over time? Labor contractions will get longer, stronger, and closer together over time. Often contractions go along at one level and then intensify over a fairly short time period, say, an hour or two, as labor shifts gears from early to active phase. Prelabor contractions can sometimes be quite regular over several hours, but the pattern stays the same.

6. Does changing your activity affect them? Prelabor contractions usually peter out if you get them while you are active and switch to something relaxing such as taking a warm bath. Likewise, if you have been resting and get up and move around, they generally go away. You may be able to get labor contractions to back off somewhat, but with rare exceptions, nothing makes them go away short of having the baby.

7. Did your bag of waters break? If they broke with a pop or gush, the contractions that follow will almost certainly develop into progressive labor. With a slow leak, contractions may or may not lead anywhere.

Answer 2

i was induced, so i missee the water breaking, and the slight labor pains....but i have experienced good HARD labor!!! what are you asking exactly? are you wondering how long you have, once your in labor? cause it could be anywhere from 1 hour to 3 days... if your asking about the pain??...well that depends on your pain tolerance??!! It is very painful, being induced brings on stronger harder labor, and its a *&^%$... but if you want to pace it out, andmake it an easy delivery, you need to do some mind over matter... try to relax..stand in the shower, walk a bit...lay on the couch or bed and read.... just relax, makes tings move smoother. if you tense up it will make it harder. thats all i can tell you

Answer 3

Expect a lot of pain. I would suggest an epidural. I don't know what I would have done without one. It makes contractions a lot better to deal with. Try and get some sleep if you have time before you have the baby. I wish I would have. Having a baby is very draining. Congrats on the baby!! : )

Answer 4

Hahaha, been there.......alot of pain when u are in active labor. BUT, it is a tolerable pain because you know what is causing it. Now days there are lots of meds and systems to help keep pain down....You will be fine, I promise.

Answer 5

there are different stages of labor. I have three sons and to be honest its not something you completely forget its also not something you remember either. I remember it hurt but the amount of pain i felt you kind of forget. Heres a guide to help ya.Best wish on ur gift of life..

Answer 6

lots and lots of pain if you have pain closer than 10 minutes apart you should call your doctor or get to the ER