false labor and real labor???

Question

im 37 weeks pregnant and have been having mad false labor pains. i timed the contractions for 2 hours last night....they started at 10 mins apart exactly and were just uncomfortable and progressed to really really painful contractions that i couldnt ease no matter what i tried and i couldnt hold a sentence with my husband through and they got to about 3-4 mins apart. i was sure i would be going to the hospital last night. i had my husband call the dr and by the time we heard back from her...this was at 3am it took a few pages to wake her believe it or not....the contractions started shifting backwards to about 5-7 mins apart and lasting just over a min. so she said just to try and get some rest and go to the hospital if they are 2-3 mins for a good hour....so is there any good way to know when i am having false labor and when it is real labor? cause i have a 2 year old and i dont want to call and wake my sister at 2am to come over if its not for real....

also...a little bit off subject my last dr appt. on friday i saw one of the other drs not my regular one and asked about being checked at my next appt. she went on to tell me that women will know when they are getting ready to go into labor....i have never heard this and it sounds like a bunch of bull. if women knew it was coming why would they be getting to the hospital too late for an epidural or breaking their water in public??? or even be out and about right before it happens instead of at home getting ready to go?? has anyone ever heard of this before??

Answer 1

Those sound like Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are usually not painful. Nothing to worry about, alot of women have them. True labor contractions will get longer in length, closer in frequency and stronger in intensity. A Braxton Hicks contraction might get closer together but not consistently, or they may feel stronger but go away when you move around. Some women only have Braxton Hicks contractions when moving around and they stop when sitting down. Try walking if you can, changing positions in bed frequently, or the yoga downward dog and cat stretch. If your mind and body are idle, you tend to feel sensations more, so try to get busy with your mind and your body.

How do you know its time? Watch for swelling ankles, a downward shift "drop" of the baby's position which may shift down even further, give pressure, and basically feel like you have a basketball between your legs. The frequent doctor visits in the last few weeks can keep tabs on the dilation which can start weeks or days ahead, but at that point you know it is inevitable sometime soon, so get ready!

Sometimes the signs are so subtle that you don't realize or notice, like the nesting instinct. The day before my baby was born, I went to a party, got home and for some reason I was stronly compeled to get a crib and baby things. I HAD to go and get it. Then when I got home, and laid to rest, the contractions started.

I do believe you will somehow know. Chalk it up to womans intuition.

Answer 2

That must have been a pretty scary experience for you. You probably should make an appointment to see your doc to be on the safe side. Hopefully it was gas or something you were experiencing. If your doc doesn't think it's important enough to come in for a visit, perhaps you should consider another doctor. Remember, they're working for you, not the other way around, and YOUR concerns, especially at this stage or pregnancy, should not go overlooked. It's your pregnancy, not theirs. Not doubt your gut feelings (not meant to be a pun, but... okay! heh)
As far as real labor is concerned, I have never heard of knowing ahead of time that it's coming on, and I have two grown children. But, the pains will not get farther apart with time, they may continue at the same intervals for a while at most, but eventually they will continue to get closer and closer together. Perhaps base your labor on your previous one to determine how long you should wait after the contractions get to being 2 to 3 minutes apart. Some people give birth within minutes or a couple hours after they notice the contractions. Both my labors were similar in that, the contractions started at 5 minutes apart, but were not very strong. They just kept getting stronger over the course of the next twelve hours and perhaps the last hour was when they started getting closer together.

Answer 3

Labor can be tricky.I went through the same thing, i was tired of night after night of false labor.I went and bought a 4 oz. bottle of castor oil and drank the whole bottle about an hour later i began havin contractions they were sparatic at first an about 3 hours later they were five min. apart.I took myself to the hospital and a hour later i had successfully delivered .I have had 6 children and each one is so different.I would say you should walk once you start having contractions because that will keep them coming.You need to have contractions every 5 min. for an houir so they say.Every woman is so different.Your 37 weeks so if you decide to try the castor oil thing you should wait until 38 weeks because it really will put you in labor.Another suggestion sex.Semen has prostiglandins and this will also stimulate labor.Good luck

Answer 4

Yep, I've heard of it. I knew my son was coming a week ahead, but you have to put that out of your mind so you don't go crazy. Then I woke up on a Sunday morining at 8:02 with a very mild contraction a week early (first baby) and it was exactly 8 mins apart. So I called my mother and had her come pick me up and took my to the hospital and they told me that I won'thave the baby for 2-3 more weeks & to go home. So I made mymother stay with me all day and about 10 hours later I was back at the hospital and my son was born. I woke up that morning and knew it. The doctors, nurses and my own parents just KNEW that I had 2-3 more weeks. When you know, you know!

Answer 5

When I was pregnant anytime I got even remotely dehydrated I started having braxton hicks. Some were actually almost worse than the real contractions! I guess it's possible that that's what yours are. Maybe you could try drinking some water and see if they stop?

If you think you're in labor don't hesitate to go to the hospital. It happens all the time! It's always better to be safe than sorry!

Answer 6

next time you have the pains, walk around or move about , lay on your side if this changes your contractions then it is not labor. If it makes it worse then it is real. Also real contraction start in your back and move across your belly. You need to have your bags packed it sound like you are getting close.