Contractions?

Question

I am so confused about contractions, I mean I know a lot of them are B Hicks, but sometimes I think its real. I have had them last all day long, but never get stronger. I am afraid I am really not gonna know when they are real. I am having some now. I started having them about 3 hours ago REAL PAINFUL, but then I just had to go to the bathroom(bowels), and its not quite as intense now, but still crampy like. Is it just my bowels or what. I dont know what to do.

Answer 1

My fiancee used to get them all the time. The key is in consistency. When the actual labor contractions come, they will come strong and consistent to where you can set your watch to them.

B Hicks is very sporatic, so it's not as predictable.

Always remember, you have a doctor for that reason. If you are uncertain, call them. They will ask you a few questions to deduce whether or not you are having actual labor contractions or not.

Answer 2

How many weeks pregnant are you? This will be a better indicator of how likely it is that you are in labour.

Trust me, when labour starts YOU WILL KNOW. Labour-related contractions are quite painful, they feel a bit like period pains but more intense, longer lasting, and rather than just being an ache that goes on and on, they will come and go. You may also experience a similar type of pain in your lower back.

One way to tell in early labour is to change position. Try lying a different way, or standing a different way. If the pain fails to disappear or alleviate no matter where you put yourself, it may well be the start of labour.

If the pain gets more intense and you can start to predict the contractions by timing them, and you are having trouble talking through the pain, then this this may well be the start of labour.

If you experience any type of "popping" sensations way down low, this may well be the start of labour. Your waters can break without the Hollywood-style gush all over the floor - this could happen, but a lot of the time if the baby's head is well engaged down low when the waters break the baby's head acts like a plug - so the membrane ruptures but the baby's head stops the gush of fluid and it may just trickle out very slowly, if at all. So if you suspect this has happened seek medical attention so you don't risk infection.

Try and make sure you have someone with you or very close by at all times very late in your pregnancy - in the vast majority of cases labour progresses reasonably slowly, giving you enough time to get to a doctor or call a midwife in (if you are home birthing). But occasionally things can happen very swiftly and suddenly and you could find yourself in difficulty without assistance.

Answer 3

When I had my daughter, I was in labour for three days (I was even sent home from one hospital being told I was not having contractions after a specialist stipulated I was... that nurse was a b&#*@ !), I had the bowel thing too, I was told it was because my daughter was crowning! I know that they are really painful, but the best advice that I was given was to take note of everytime you have a contraction and if they seem to get longer and more frequent then take a little trip to the hospital - it is definately safer to be examined rather than assume you are only having B-Hicks. I had 5 pages of contractions times and lengths... the doctors were rather shocked that I hadnt been admitted earlier because I was nearly completely dilated by the time I got to the hospital!

Answer 4

If you're within a few weeks of your due date, try these measures. If it's just b hicks, the pain should get better. If the pain stays the same or gets stronger, you are in labor.

• Change your activity or position. Sometimes walking provides relief, and other times resting eases your contractions. (Real labor contractions, on the other hand, will persist and progress regardless of what you do.)

• Take a warm bath to help your body relax.

• Try drinking a couple glasses of water, since these contractions can sometimes be brought on by dehydration.

• Try relaxation exercises or slow, deep breathing. This won't stop the Braxton Hicks contractions, but it may help you cope with the discomfort.

Answer 5

Sounds like Braxton Hicks contractions. If they look to be common, you will have to leisure and drink a few water. The extra hydrated you're the fewer you're going to have them. If you have been in early hard work, the contractions would not stop, they could simply preserve getting more potent. As a ways as the release, so long as there is not any smell or some thing, it is average. Your frame raises vaginal discharge in coaching for supply, it's going to occur by way of the leisure of your being pregnant. The diarrhea used to be most commonly some thing you ate.

Answer 6

start a "contraction journal" write down the time they start, the time they end, how intense, did it start in your back and move to your abdomen, are they getting stronger, are they getting closer together. those are all symptoms of real contractions. the main one is that b hicks do not start in your back and move around to your lower abdomen... only real contractions are like that.

i know it can be frustrating. i almost had a nervous breakdown with my 2nd. i went to the hospital about 3 times before i needed to. it's better to be safe than sorry though. if you think your contractions are real, call your OB or midwife immediately or go to the hospital. what's the worst that could happen?.... they'll send you home. no biggie. good luck and best wishes.

Answer 7

I am an emergency medical tech. that has delivered 3 children myself so I have some experience in this. If you are having consistent contractions that are lasting for an increasingly longer period of time with cramping you should seek a medical opinion. Especially if you are experiencing any leaking of fluid or passing of blood. A lot of people that are having contractions feel as if they need to have a bowel movement. Contact your local ob/gyn or call the hospital and ask to speak with one of the nurses in the OB Dept. that is what they are there for and will not make you feel stupid in any way. You didn't mention how many weeks pregnant you are. If it is pre-term labor it is especially important that you seek medical consult in case you need interventions to prolong a pre-term pregnancy. Good Luck!! and BREATHE!!

Answer 8

You really don't have to worry, when the time comes you will know.
I had contractions for three weeks with one of mine. They would get really bad and then go almost completely away. Call your DR, that is what they are there for. If your water breaks GO TO THE HOSPITAL even if there are no contractions. The baby will not survive with out the fluid. Your first contractions will be in your lower back or lower abs and when the get strong it will fell like someone is reaching around your stomach and squeezing. If you have questions call your DR or call the Hospital.

Answer 9

How far along are you? You may be moving toward real labor. I say this because lots of BM is your body's way of cleaning itself out for when you are in labor. Time them, if they get closer together and longer and more painful they are probably real. When I had my first, It took me half the day to realize I might be in labor...I was crampy and going to the bathroom a lot...eventually they got closer together and stronger...I labored all day at home before they got close enough to call in. It's different for everyone, so just see how far appart they are and watch for them to move closer and become stronger.

Answer 10

When they start to come at regular intervals. The beginning labor may not be painful, but when you are in full blown labor, you will know. If you are ever really concerned, go to the hospital or call your doctor. That's why they are there. If it is false labor, you wouldn't be the first person to go get checked for it. Better safe than sorry.