I feel like a dummy.......?

Question

I am currently pregnant with my 4th child and am so not sure what to look for in labor symptoms. I was induced the first three so Im just checking on what to actually look for like especially what (if any color to that) ameniotic fluid looks like.

Answer 1

You will know if your water breaks or if there is a tear you will feel a constant stream of fluids like you're peeing and can't hold it in.

Don't feel like a dummy, it's like a whole new experience for you!

You will definately feel the contractions, they will be consistent and strong and will become closer together.

If not, they are "false alarm" contractions (braxton-hicks)

You should time these contractions and (since this is your 4th and usually labor lasts shorter with each child) You should go to the hospital when they have been 7 minutes apart for at least 2 hours. Call your doctor to confim this. They tell first or second time moms to wait until they are 5 minutes apart.

I was having contractions with my daughter and I didn't realize it, but don't worry, by the time it's time to go to the hospital you will have realized what they are already and even after you get there you'll still have several hours to go.

When you do get contractions, keep moving, do housework, keep yourself busy, this will ease anxiety and help the contractions move along faster.

If you are leaking fluids go straight to the hospital.

Answer 2

For myself, my water broke but only a trickle... I thought I had peed, but when I went to the restroom, and then was done, and stood up again, more trickled! Then about 20 minutes later, maybe even less, harder contractions started. My child birthing instructor told us that when we can't sit, stand, talk, walk, or do anything during a contraction, that's when we'll know it's time to get to the hospital- and this was very true! It takes all you have just to breathe through the contraction, and so this may be a good indicator to let you know you should get to the hospital. So if you are leaking, make sure too to go because infection could occur. don't feel dumb- every situation is different, and you haven't gone through this part yet... so it's ok! :) - I also saw no blood or anything discolored during this time.

Goodluck and congrats again :)

Answer 3

Women can experience different labor symptoms, it can feel like strong menstrual cramps or if you've experience braxton hicks contractions before- they feel like stronger versions of those. However you feel the contractions, if they are real they will get closer together and stronger to where you can't ignore them. Your doctor will tell you/give you a sheet telling you how far apart your contractions should be before you need to go to the hospital. Also, if your water breaks, you need to call the doctor right away. Amniotic fluid is colorless and odorless, but you'll know what it is. It's not like a little urine leaking, your water breaking will be noticeable as a constant leak. If you go to babycenter.com, you can read more about labor signs and what to do, or you can ask your doctor what signs he/she wants you to watch for. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had a 3rd child 4 month ago. All by c-section. My 1st pregnancy was a planned c-section, and the second pregnancy I went 1week over due, and they induced me and broke my water in the hospital, but the baby got stuck in my canal and so we had another c-section. My 3rd pregnancy I was in so much discomfort about 2 weeks before I went into labor. I delivered 2 weeks early, and had a repeat c-section. I never thought I would go into labor on my own since my body had never really experienced "natural labor" but I did. The discomfort I had was alot of pressure in my hips and back, pain in my hips and back, bad swelling of the legs, since the baby was moving down. And never once did I have any contractions. Then about 4 a.m. I was half awake when my water broke, I felt a gush of fluids, so I got up and was walking to the bathroom when the fluids literally started gusing out. Now when your water breaks it is supposed to be clear. But if you baby has stooled inside of you then it will come out discolored, "greenish" The doctors say that your mucus plug is supposed to come out before the water breaks, and when that happens it could be anywhere from a pink to a blood color and look like mucus. But mine did not come out before my water broke...so if you start feeling alot of pressure in any part of your lower body or tingling or numbness of your hands or lower parts of your body, then I would get checked out.

Answer 5

Don't know what colour it is - but you will certainly know if your waters break! With one of mine - it was a huge gush, with another it just kept coming so I had to walk into the hospital with a towel between my legs! Other than that I usually had recurring back pains as the start of my labours, then moved on to feeling the contractions of the uterus. The other thing to look for is the mucus plug that comes out (just a bit of blood stained mucus), that can happen just prior to you noticing any pain or fluid leakage. Good luck and enjoy your new baby!

Answer 6

Trust me, you will know when you are in labor. I had the same worry when I had my son (who is six weeks old). For me, I had a mucousy clear, then brownish pink discharge about four days (and up to) the day I went into labor. Shortly before I went to the hospital it turned red. You can't miss it and you will know when it happens. Plus I started having contractions which started out with me thinking I was getting sick and they just got worse and worse and radiated from the top to the bottom. Finally I couldn't take it any more and went into the hospital and had my son four hours later. Good luck and don't worry :)

Plus my water never broke (they broke it for me), so you can't go by that.

Answer 7

If you have something that feels like a cork that pops and then even a small gush its very close..My water broke at home both times. The first time it was a major gush and the 2nd time it was more like a slow leak. If you put a pad on and it soaks up within 30 minutes then more than likely your water has broke. Watch for contractions and I promise you will know the difference even if contractions are mild.

Answer 8

Early on, you'll get a pulling feeling across your lower abdomen (braxton hicks.) When the labor is going strong and the baby is ready, you should feel the labor contractions in your back. When you feel it in your back, it's time for deep breathing.

Good luck!

Answer 9

my labour signs were irregular contractions! i never had a show, my waters were broken during labour when i was 5-6 cm dialated, and i never had regular contractions at all! so i would ask a midwife at your next appointment what to look for, good luck!

Answer 10

I think when your water breaks its clear, but might be green tinged.
Check this site out: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page3_em.htm