How do you know if your having contractions?

Question

Im seven months and I think im Having Braxton Hicks Contractions but Im really not sure this is my first pregnancy

Answer 1

Signs of Labor
The signs of labor are a big worry to women, especially if it is the first birth. The fact is that most women know when the onset of labor begins by instinct, luck, and, very often, by killer contractions. No one really knows what actually triggers labor, but a group of natural substances produced by the body stimulate uterine muscle to contract. Probably a combination of fetal, placental, and maternal factors work together to set labor into motion. Prelabor can precede real labor by a month or more -- or perhaps for only an hour or so. The practitioner can confirm prelabor by the beginning of cervical effacement and dilatation, but there are some signs that the expectant mother can recognize:

First-time mothers usually feel the fetus begin to descend somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks before labor occurs. This is rarely true of later births, as the fetus descends when labor begins.
Cramps and groin pain are very common in second and later pregnancies; this is often accompanied with low backache.
Usually, weight gain slows during the ninth month, and, as labor approaches, some women actually lose 2 or 3 pounds.
Some mothers have increasing fatigue. Others have energy spurts. An uncontrollable urge to clean the house is associated with "nesting instinct" -- in which the female prepares for the impending arrival of the new infant.
Vaginal discharge may thicken or increase.
As the cervix begins to thin and open, the "plug" of the mucus that seals the opening of the uterus becomes dislodged. This piece of mucus can be passed through the vagina a week or two before real contractions or just as labor begins.
Capillaries frequently rupture as the cervix effaces and dilates, tinting the mucus pink or streaking it with blood. This "showing" usually means that labor will start within 24 hours, but it could still be several days away.
The Braxton Hicks contractions, which have been practicing for several weeks, may become more frequent and stronger. They may even become painful.
Some women experience loose bowel movements just prior to labor.
REAL LABOR HAS NOT USUALLY BEGUN IF:
Contractions are not regular or don't increase in frequency.
The pain is in the lower abdomen rather than the lower back.
Contractions abate when the woman walks or changes position.
"Show" is brown rather than pink.
Fetal movements become stronger with contractions. (This could signal fetal distress.)
When contractions quicken or become more painful, the woman may wonder if it is real labor or false labor. It is probably real if:
Contractions intensify with activity or change of position.
Pain begins in the lower back and spreads to the abdomen; it may also radiate to the legs. The contractions may feel like gas upset and may be accompanied by diarrhea.
Contractions become more frequent and painful, and, sometimes, more regular. (This varies with women. Not every contraction will necessarily be more painful or longer, but it is the general rule.)
Show is present and pinkish or blood-streaked.
Membranes rupture and in 15% of labor cases, the water breaks (in a gush or a trickle) before labor begins.
If the woman is in doubt, she should call the doctor. Even if she has checked and rechecked the above lists, she may still be unsure. She should not wait for positive proof unless she intends to give birth at home. She should not fear embarrassment if she has false labor; the doctor will not snicker.
Call anytime, night or day, if signs indicate it is time.
The practitioner has probably given the mother previous instructions, but if one waits for perfectly even intervals, they may never come.
The practitioner has probably also instructed the mother about rupturing membranes before labor has commenced. If the due date is several weeks away, if the baby is small or not engaged in the pelvis, or if the amniotic fluid is stained greenish brown, call immediately!
When the mother isn't sure whether it is labor or not, she should not assume that it is not real labor. Better to be safe than sorry. Call! Is there any way to predict when I'm going to go into labor?
Not really. Experts don't fully understand what triggers the onset of labor, and there's no way to predict exactly when it will start. Your body actually starts "preparing" for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near. Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:

* Your baby "drops."
If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.

* You note an uptick in Braxton Hicks contractions.
More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your cervix ripens and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.

Sometimes, as true labor draws near, Braxton Hicks contractions become relatively painful and strike as often as every ten to 20 minutes, making you wonder whether true labor has started. However, if the contractions don't get longer, stronger, and closer together and cause your cervix to dilate progressively, then what you're feeling is probably so-called "false labor."

* Your cervix starts to ripen.
In the days and weeks before delivery, Braxton Hicks may do the preliminary work of softening, thinning, and perhaps opening your cervix a bit. (If you've given birth before, your cervix is more likely to dilate a centimeter or two before labor starts — but keep in mind that even being 40 weeks pregnant with your first baby and 1 centimeter dilated is no guarantee that labor's imminent.) When you're at or near your due date, your practitioner may do a vaginal exam during your prenatal visit to see whether your cervix has started to change.

* You pass your mucus plug or notice "bloody show."
You may pass your mucus plug — the small amount of thickened mucus that's sealed your cervical canal during the last nine months — if your cervix begins to dilate as you get close to labor. The plug may come out all at once in a lump, or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with blood (which may be brown, pink, or red), which is why it's referred to as "bloody show." Having sex or a vaginal exam can also disturb your mucus plug and cause you to see some bloody discharge even when labor isn't going to start in the next few days. In either case, if you see more than a few spots of blood, be sure to call your caregiver immediately because it could be a sign of a problem.

* Your water breaks.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, the fluid leaks from your vagina. And whether it comes out in a large gush or a small trickle, you should call your doctor or midwife.

Most women start having regular contractions sometime before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When this happens, labor usually follows soon. If you don't start having contractions on your own within a certain amount of time, you'll need to be induced, since your baby will be at increased risk for infection without the amniotic sac's built-in protection against germs.

How can I tell if my labor has actually started?
It's often not possible to pinpoint exactly when "true" labor begins because early labor contractions might start out feeling like the Braxton Hicks contractions you may have been noticing for weeks. It's likely that labor is under way, however, when your contractions become increasingly longer, stronger, and closer together. They may be as far apart as every ten minutes or so in the beginning, but they won't stop or ease up no matter what you do. And in time, they'll become more painful and closer together. In some cases, though, the onset of strong, regular contractions comes with little or no warning — it's different for every woman and with every pregnancy.

When should I call my doctor or midwife?
Toward the end of your pregnancy, your practitioner should give you a clear set of guidelines for when it's time to let her know that you're having contractions and at what point she'll want you to go to the hospital or birth center. These instructions will depend on your individual situation — whether you have pregnancy complications or are otherwise considered high-risk, whether this is your first baby, and practical matters like how far you live from the hospital or birth center — and your caregiver's personal preference (some prefer an early heads-up).

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for about an hour. (You time a contraction from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one.) As a rule, if you're high-risk, she'll want to hear from you earlier in labor.

Don't be afraid to call if the signs aren't clear but you think the time may have come. Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women who aren't sure whether they're in labor and need guidance. It's part of their job. And the truth is, your practitioner can tell a lot by the tone and tenor of your voice, so verbal communication helps. She'll want to know how close together your contractions are, how long each one lasts, how strong they are (she'll note whether you can talk through a contraction), and any other symptoms you may have.

Finally, whether or not your pregnancy has been problem-free up to now, be sure to call your practitioner right away (and if you can't reach her, head for the hospital) in the following situations:
• Your water breaks or you suspect that you're leaking amniotic fluid. Tell your practitioner if it's yellow, brown, or greenish, because this signals the presence of meconium, your baby's first stool, and is sometimes a sign of fetal stress. It's also important to let her know if the fluid looks bloody.

• You notice that your baby's less active.

• You have vaginal bleeding (unless it's just bloody show — mucus with a spot or streak of blood), fever, severe headaches, vision changes, or abdominal pain.

• You start having contractions before 37 weeks or you have any other signs of preterm labor.

Answer 2

They come a certain amount of min apart and will not stop real contractions are also all over your belly,
Once your contractions are about 5 to 20 minutes apart and they are staying even if you walk around or lay on your left side, labor has begun! This is the time to get to the hospital. Remember if you live far away from your hospital tell your doctor. They may want you to come when your contractions are around 10 or 15 minutes apart.

Timing Contractions:

To time contractions, first I would suggest buying a stopwatch. This is the most accurate way to time contractions since looking at the second hand on the clock is not very practical.

Okay, you have your stopwatch and you are ready to time! First either you or someone else should write down the times beginning and ending of your contractions. A good book that provides a contraction chart is "What To Expect When You Are Expecting (Pregnancy Organizer)".

When you begin to have the tightening in your abdomen, push the button on the stopwatch. After you have no pain or uncomfortable feelings, push the button again (your belly may still be a little tight, but no pain or uncomfortable feelings). Record what the stopwatch said on the paper. When you begin to have another pain, do the exact same thing. Once you have about five contractions recorded, look for some type of pattern. Are they 5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute or more? (GET TO HOSPITAL). On the other hand, are they 15 minutes apart and lasting about 45 seconds? Whatever it may be, if there is a pattern, call your doctor and let them know.

Answer 3

Having Contractions

Answer 4

I'm not having contractions. lol Real contractions are different from 'false labor' in that they become regular and closer together over a few hours. I was at a drive-in movie with my husband and 2 kids when I started having contractions [so I thought]. It was a screamingly funny movie - so that started things rolling. But I stayed to watch the movie, then we headed home, I packed my suitcase - then thought I'd lay down for a few minutes. I woke up the next morning and started looking for the baby. Then I realized I was still pregnant - the pains had stopped, and the baby arrived three weeks past his due date.

Answer 5

Your stomach will be rock hard then when the contraction is over the stomach will go soft again sharp pains will gradually come on and it will get more tense during labor if the pain gets to tense ask the Dr for epidural to numb you from the waist down do not worry you will be ok and do fine do the breathing techniques and before you know you'll have a very healthy baby. Now you are seven months pregnant and it's normal to have braxton hicks contractions late in your third trimester you'll know when the real thing happens because when you go into labor and the pain gets real tense you will not be able to speak

Answer 6

Braxton Hicks contractions are false, "practice" or uterus conditioning labor pains that occur before actual labor begins. They're true contractions that occur when the uterus tightens as a result of the hormone oxytocin; however, they're not strong enough to initiate labor. They're a perfectly normal part of pregnancy and can begin to occur as early as the second trimester, although they usually occur more commonly in the third trimester of your pregnancy; also, not every pregnant woman will experience them. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body's way of getting ready for actual labor. Initially they may be scary, especially as their intensity increases near the end of the pregnancy and you're not sure if it's the real deal or not. As such, for your peace of mind it's important to know how to identify the difference between false labor pains and the real thing

Answer 7

You will feel your tummy harden or tighten and it will only last a minute or so and you will feel the tension decrease when the contraction is over. They will be timed usually when they start they are milder and farther apart increasing in length of time and shortening in between times as they progress. If you are seven months I wouldn't take chances contact your doctor's office for advice, try not to panic, but you shouldn't diagnose yourself either, for the sake of your health and the babies call and have someone be with you in case this is the real thing. Good luck honey.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

You'll know, it's much more painful then BHC and usually contractions will come with your water breaking or other symptoms.

Answer 10

Signs That Labor Has Started

Answer 11

They make your belly feel tight for a few seconds or minutes, are painful or uncomfy, and make you feel like you need to fight the urge to bear down.

Lay down until they pass, usually you get them from stress or not enough water. Lay down and watch something on tv and drink some water until they calm down.

SO long as you're not passing anything with color you are fine.