For those that have given birth? A few questions?

Question

Did your waters break or did you start to contract first. If you contracted did the hospital have to break the waters and how long did it take for your contractions to get to 5 mins apart (when i was told you should go to the hospital)?

Also - did you swell just prior to given birth - I am 37 weeks and in the last day or so feel that i am retaining water and get cramps in my legs a lot. Prior to now i have had neither of these things?

Thanks to everyone that has answered - the swelling i sby no means severe enough that warrants medical advice - i just wondered if it might mean labour is not far off - wishful thinking.

Answer 1

With my first son my water broke on it's own. I was getting ready to go to the hospital for my planned induction and I felt little gushes. It felt sorta like how it feels when your period starts unexpectedly, but every minute or so it would gush again. I didn't get contractions till after they started the Pitocin (drug to start labor).

With my youngest son, I woke up at 5:26am with back labor. My contractions were 2-3 minutes apart as son as they started. I was in labor for less than 3 hours. They didn't have a chance to break my water. When I pushed the first time, it broke on it's own. I had him 2 pushes later.

I also swelled a few weeks before with both my boys. Sorry to hear you're having leg cramps, those are soo horrible. I feel for ya.

Answer 2

I had contractions (real ones) for 4 weeks prior to giving birth. They would get so close together- and when they were 5 min apart, I was also told to go to the hospital- the hospital just kind of laughed at me telling me to go home that I'm not in active labor yet. They did say they were real contractions, just not strong enough to bring the labor. Anyways, when I knew it was time to get to the hospital for real... not another trip to be sent home, was when first my water broke- a trickle, not very much at all... and about a half hour later, really hard contractions came... to where I couldn't stand, walk, talk or do anything but try to breathe through them.... my labor instructor actually told me this would be when you know to go as well.

I got leg cramps my entire pregnancy- I was a waitress, so I was on my feet a LOT, making my legs and feet terribly sore... towards the end of the pregnancy, my legs were a little swollen... and my ankles and feet too... best thing to do is prop them up and try to stay off of them when you can. Also stay away from too much salt. I also got charlie horses- never had one in my life until my pregnancy! I'd wake up and scare my husband half to death being in so much pain he thought I was in labor lol. But they went away after giving birth. So did the swelling. I remember commenting on how nice my feet and ankles/legs looked after giving birth :)

Good luck and congrats on your baby- remember you can always ask your doctor any questions too- but they always told me when my contractions become 5 min. apart to go to the hospital- which confused me when I was sent home... but, I realized when I truly was in labor (41 weeks exactly), those contractions are VERY strong and hurt so bad you can't move or do anything. I ended up going 19hrs into labor and then a c-section- my son was turned face up instead of face down and not only that, he was 9lbs 10oz lol... a big shock! :)

Answer 3

Child one: My water did break and then I went to the hospital - I had gained considerable weight - but I never retained water. Baby 9.8 lbs born at 43 weeks

Child two: As I did not want a HUGE baby I had the doctor break the water at 37 weeks - he explained I may have a DRY birth if contractions did not start. However, contractions started and I had a normal birth within 16 hours. My legs had not begun to swell, but I was big and uncomfortable and did not want a HUGE baby - thus - she was only 8.3 lbs.

Hope this helps some. Advice: Got to the doctor and get the cramps and edema checked immediately.

Answer 4

I would go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks, contractions or not.

My water broke on its own only with my third birth. The first two were induced because the babies were large and past due.

With my first birth, the contractions took a long time (12 hours) to get to 5 minutes apart, but everyone is different.

I have heard of women who deliver right after their water breaking.

I think water retention is normal but would ask your doctor. Avoid extra salt and salty foods if its bothering you. Cramps in your legs are most likely the cause of the baby resting lower in your body and having an effect on your circulation.

Answer 5

My water never broke, doctor broke it. From my first contraction until I went into the operating room (I had a c-section) was 45 minutes and they were already 2 minutes apart.

Some women labor for many many hours, and some move very quickly, every labor is different.

As for swelling, it's very common. I gained 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks.

Good Luck, you'll do just fine, it's a beautiful thing. Congratulations on your upcoming baby!!!

Answer 6

I was induced and had an unmedicated birth, so none of this may apply to you. It was shortly before my son was actually born that my water broke. The doctor wanted to break it right off to quicken the labor, but I was having a hard time dealing with it in the beginning and didn't want harder, faster labor. It broke on it's own when I was about 7 cm, and after that it was only like an hour before my son was born, so labor went very fast after that.
I was induced, so I don't know how long it would've taken me to get to 5 minutes apart normally. I DID go into labor the evening before, but was in labor for like 12 hours and still only got to 10 minutes apart.
I never retained water, but my neighbor did with both her pregnancies around the same time. She REALLY swelled up, and then it all went away after the births. I hear it's pretty common, and so are leg cramps. Sometimes the swelling can be a symptom of something serious (pre-eclampsia), so always check with your doctor about it. He/she may decided to take the baby early.

Congratulations!

Answer 7

I swelled up like a balloon. LOL I had some contractions long before my water broke. My water ended up breaking about 5 minutes before I gave birth to my second child. The hospital broke my water with the first. We'll have to see what happens with this one!

Answer 8

I have two children, each case was different, my first child, the water broke! 39 weeks! then the contractions started. with my second one, I woke up with heavy contractions, when I got to the hospital I was already 6 1/2 cm! It was fast!. The contractions I believe are normal as your body are preparing for giving birth, warming up.( pre labor) Most of all, trust in your intuition, if you feel anything abnormal contatct your physician! Keep track of your blood pressure! For the leg cramps eat banana that has potassio, and try to walk gently to help the blood circulation.
Good Luck! And congratulations!

Answer 9

you could have gestational diabetes or other problems with your pregnancy from the symptoms you describe. Please see you doctor. I had contractions first, then my water broke, all four times, but some times it happens the other way for people. It took different amounts of time for the contractions to get closer on each of my pregnancies. In my first pregnancies it took a few hours from the first contractions for them to get 5 min. apart. When I was pregnant with my third and fourth children, the contractions were strong and got close quickly. Your body qill retain water and your blood volume will increase right before you have your baby. The cramps could be from light contractions you are having. But I think you should tell your OB all your symptoms.
best wishes for a happy delivery.

Answer 10

everyone is different, my water had to be broken, also as far as the timing goes, you should go to the hospital when the contractions come and go at a steady rate for about an hour or so, whether it is 5, 10 or 15 minutes apart. if it starts out at say 15 or 20 minutes apart and starts becoming closer together that is also a sign that you are ready to go. my legs did swell and I did retain some water also.