What should I do?

Question

I am 38 weeks and it seems like I am having frequent contractions, but they dont hurt. Could I still be going into labor? I am scared I will and wont know it. What should I do?

Answer 1

I'm no doctor, but I know that the best thing is to go get checked. I hope everything turns out allright for your sake and for the sake of the baby.

Answer 2

At 38 weeks, it's good that you're starting to contract. You're full term now, and the baby could come really at any time. If these contractions don't hurt badly, and are just a tightening of your uterus, then those are probably Braxton Hicks contractions. Some peopel call this "false labor" but BH contractions are great. That is your body gearing up for the real thing.

I'm sure you've heard plenty of times that when it's for real, you'll just know. I always hated that response, but once it happened to me, I found otu it was true. The contractions will hurt more, be more regular, increase over time, and you will have no doubt that you are in actual real labor.

Real labor will be accompanied usually by (gross I know but I have to say it) loose bowel movements, and what they call "bloody show" which is blood tinged mucous that you'll notice when going to the bathroom.

If your water breaks (it may not be a big gush, it could be more of slow leak so pay attention there) even if you don't have any of the above symptoms OR if you DO have the above symptoms, go straight to the hospital because once your water breaks there is more of a chance of infection setting in than if you''re just in labor and contracting without broken water. They'll want to monitor you to make sure you're not getting a fever.

Relax, hang in there, you're almost done, and you WILL know when labor starts.

Get online at babycenter.com and read about teh stages of labor so that you know what to expect.

Answer 3

Best call your dr. I had regular contractions every nite at 7:30 for the last 4 weeks, and I went into REAL labor 4 days before my due date. I went to the hospital, they monitored me, gave me a shot of medication and sent me home again 12 times.
Trust me, you'll KNOW. You are probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions, which will keep happening stronger and stronger right up to the Big Day (someone above was wrong about this). The "real" contractions will burn from your pubis all the way up to the bottom of your ribcage. Your thighs will ache, your back will ache, and you will feel like crap. Imagine a major charley-horse across your whole midsection, and this is what the MINOR real contractions will be like.
But you really need to call your dr or midwife, just to make sure what you are experiencing is normal. If she is worth the charge, she'll see you no matter what.

Answer 4

You are likely having braxton hicks contractions. You are NOT too far allong to have them. If you are in early labor, which you may well be, they will become stronger and more consistant over time. You WILL KNOW when it is true labor. Try not to rush to the hospital too quickly. You set yourself up for more interventions by going to the hospital too early. Your best bet is to have a nice realxing bath or shower, climb into bed and try to sleep. If it is labor, you will wake up and know it. Also, if it is labor, being home and relaxed will make your labor progress faster and naturally than if you were in a hospital. You will not be relaxed in a hospital setting and early labor is easily influenced by stress or lack of relaxation. Stay home until the contractions are about 4 minutes apart and you have trouble talking through a contraction. good luck sweetie...and try to rest. i know it's hard.

Answer 5

Does your stomach get hard when you have the contractions? True contractions - your stomach will get hard.
Being this far along I doubt that it is false labor (braxton-hicks). I would give your OB a call - just to see what they recommend.

Good luck - the first time you see those little fingers, toes and those baby eyes - it's magical!!

Answer 6

ask a doctor

Answer 7

Call your physician! ASAP!