what are the symptoms of labor?

Question

is it feeling light headed, braxton hicks every 4 or 5 minutes that some hurt and some are just hard bellys,and nauseated? i posted a question a lil earlier...im really concerned

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

If the contractions are 4-5 mins apart and regular, you definitly need to call your doctor or hospital. You very well could be in early labor. Go ahead and give them a call and see what they think. Esspecially since your nauseated. A lot of women get nauseous during transition (the stage in your labor in which your cervix dialates from 7cm to 10cm). They may recommend that you come in and be checked just to be on the safe side.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

I think I responded to your last question and if your contractions are still occuring, are they lasting 30 to 45 seconds? If so then I say that you are in labor and you need to call your doc. He/she will be able to tell you if you need to go to the hospital. If the contractions become closer than four minutes, you need to go to the hospital and call your doc on the way. Good Luck and I hope they get better

Answer 4

You should call your doctor just to let her/him know what is going on. But right now, you should go drink a bunch of water and lay down on your LEFT side. You may just be dehydrated. It is actually pretty common for this to happen. Good luck and I hope everything turns out ok. :)

Answer 5

If you are having contractions that are 4-5 minutes apart I would call your doctor asap!

Answer 6

I would have my ob paged if I was having contractions that frequent, and ask if I should go to L&D. Are you dehydrated? Try drinking fluids and see if that helps slow them down.

a contraction doesn't have to hurt to be effective at dilating, so they still count! Take care!