My wife is 34 weeks and 6 days. She keeps complaining of some abdominal pain and some back pain every 10 to 15 minutes. She said they arent very strong and last about a minute each. Should we be worried? What do the "real" contractions feel like? Please someone help! Should we go to the hospital?
2006-12-16 17:20:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
The main difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and real contractions is productivity. Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to be isolated to one spot and are just twinges. They may be all on the left, they may be all on the right, they maybe be underneath, they may alternate. They really don't move anything and they don't do much besides tone the muscles for the real pushing to come. A real contraction starts at the top and moves down. Each contraction moves in that same fashion and they gradually build in pressure and intensity.
My doctor's rule of thumb is that if you have more than 4 Braxton-Hick's contractions in an hour, you should call the office or the maternity ward at the hospital after hours. I wouldn't go running to the hospital just yet but a call to the hospital would definately be in order since your wife seems to be having 4-6 contractions in an hour. They may want you to come in for a quick check or they may want to you monitor the contractions and call them back.
If your wife has had any other labor signs like losing her mucuous plug or having some bloody show, I would probably call the hospital from the car on the way to the hospital.
2006-12-16 17:34:17 · answer #1 · answered by heather_palmer580 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mom told me to remember that the hospital does not have a "three-strikes-you're-out" policy. If you're worried, go to the hospital. They don't have a limit on the number of times you can go in metaphorically crying "wolf" before they don't allow you to come back. Or call your doctors' office and speak with a nurse, or call a nurse hotline. Let your wife talk (an experienced nurse can sometimes tell by the woman's voice if the pains are going-into-labor kind of pains).
Especially since they do seem regular, your wife should call or go to the hospital. At not quite 35 weeks, it's best to assume it is early labor and be mistaken than to assume it isn't and have a premature baby.
The fact that the end of pregnancy is accompanied by back pain, random aches, and paranoia makes it difficult to determine what the "real thing" is.
Everyone kept telling me that "if it was labor, I'd know it". Not true.
Seriously, call the doctor. You and your wife will be unable to sleep comfortably until you do. :-)
In the meantime, have your wife lie down and drink some water. Stress and mild dehydration can bring on a bad case of Braxton Hicks contractions. Even though they aren't typically painful (just like a tightening of the stomach), they can be.
2006-12-16 17:33:11 · answer #2 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The best way to know is the regularity. You say their lasting a minute and coming every 10-15 minutes. Well, keep watching the clock. If they start coming every 9 minutes... you'd better head off to the ER.
Being so early in the pregnancy, you MAY want to head there anyways. It's normal to have the "fake" contractions, but not with regular intervals.
Contractions are different for every woman. Some feel it in their back, some in their stomach, some feel like they REALLY need to have a bowel movement.
Have her walk and move. If they're fake contractions, they'll go away with her movement. If they're the real thing ... they'll just keep coming.
2006-12-16 17:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by rt49andellis 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Call the doc & have her checked. Keep timing them. She may be having real contractions or braxton hicks which feels the same & those are common in the last trimester. Better safe than sorry. Have her looked at.
2006-12-16 17:22:16 · answer #4 · answered by IMHO 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Real contractions will be well above complaining. She should ask her doctor at her next visit. But these are probably braxton hicks contractions. You won't know when they are real until she tells you and believe me, she will. She thinks she won't know herself but I assure you, she will have no doubts when the time has come. Be patient. Good luck and congratulations!
2006-12-16 17:39:18 · answer #5 · answered by suzyQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If her lower abdomen is getting Tight when she thinks their is a contraction... then it is one! If U think its PTL you wanna call your Dr. ASAP & go to L&D just to be sure!!! Also Braxton Hicks Cont. Dont hurt... so if her pain is real her Cont. prolly are too!
And even tho they say to wait till they are 5 mins apart. 34 weeks is still too early... the sooner you go the better chances that they can stop them!
Better Safe than Sorry!!!!
2006-12-16 17:25:15 · answer #6 · answered by Angel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she is crying and screaming she will have to be on the health facility now not your condominium until you're doing a homebirth. Typically they are saying to visit the health facility whilst you're having one million minute lengthy contractions and they are four mins aside and its being occurring longer than an hour. I could take her to exertions and supply now.
2016-09-03 14:54:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
You should take her to the labor & delivery floor at the hospital she will be giving birth at, you need to go if you have ANY contractions prior to 37 weeks! They may just be braxton hicks, dont take the chance get her checked...good luck
2006-12-16 17:23:29 · answer #8 · answered by notAminiVANmama 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You should call the doctor and ask him.
Being just 34 weeks, it is not very likely. To be safe call the doctor.
2006-12-16 17:26:31 · answer #9 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She's having contractions...
2006-12-16 19:12:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋