Am i in Labour?

Question

i am 38 weeks had period cramps for about a week now but the pain comes in waves and is irregular but today the pain seems to be getting more intense but still irregular

Answer 1

phone your hospital sounds like it.......

Answer 2

If the pain is getting more intense, it is probably a sign that labour is starting, but the contractions need to be regular for "proper" labour. You can get false contractions called Braxton Hicks, which is your body getting ready.
BTW - you should not wait for your waters to break before going to hospital - lots of womens waters don't break until the baby is well on its way - some womens waters don't break on their own and have to be broken by the midwife.
If you are worried, give you midwife a call, or go down to your maternity unit. Especially if this is your first child, then I am sure they would be willing to check you over, the worst that happens is that they send you home, but at least your mind will be at ease.
Good luck.

Answer 3

My first pains were like menstrual cramps and irrergular. First, 12 o'clock at night, then around 3 at night with slight amniotic fluid dishcarge, so I started getting ready for hospital. By 7 a.m. they were more regular - 15 to 30 minutes apart but weak. Went to hospital at 7:30. My waters broke at the check-up, I had a slight leak before but I guess my daughter's head was serving as a cork. By 11 o'clock, I was not dilated much so I got induced. But I've heard that sometimes dilation starts a week or two before delivery so you might have been dilating all along. Maybe would be good to give a call to your doctor and see if s/he wants to do a check-up.

Answer 4

Could be Braxton Hicks.

My waters didn't break on their own with my first 2 so don't rely on that as a sign-and even then you may not have to rush full tilt to the hospital-although DO phone the maternity ward at that point.

You're obviously quite relaxed about it-so trust your gut instincts.

Anything that you don't feel happy with give your midwife a call-better safe than sorry(and you don't want to be the person that gives birth in aisle2 of Sainsburys now do you?).

Make sure your bag's packed and you've got snacks, put your feet up and try to relax!

Good luck!!

Answer 5

It could be braxton hicks - don't wait for your waters to break before going to hospital as I have had 2 children and both times the midwife had to break my waters. You will know when your are ready for labour as the pain will be every few minutes and the pain will be extremely strong and a lot stronger than stomach cramps - congratulations

Answer 6

You're getting close
hospitals now usually don't like you to come in until you are having regular contractions 3-5mins apart and are 3 cm dilated (waters don't have to be broken)
You are most likely in pre-labour
when you make the transition into actual labour you will know. You wont care about anything around you you will be soley focussed on you and the pains and your baby

good luck xx

Answer 7

Time the duration of the cramps and the interval between them, then phone your midwife or maternity unit for advice. It's not true that you have to wait for the waters to break, whatever you may have seen on the TV, but you may lose a little blood and stuff when the time is near! Good luck - remember the abdominal breathing!

Answer 8

No normally you don't feel cramps. I went thru that for about 5 weeks. If in doubt call your obgyn, but you will feel a tightening in your belly. Your doctor will be able to check you and see if you are dialated. But believe me, you will know when you are in labor. You will not second guess yourself. you will feel pain like right where your cervix is. My first 2 started out as "period" cramps, but immediately turned to a way different type of pain. Your stomach will feel like it's getting tight. And you will have them completely on time with each other. I guess I meant regularly. Not erratically.

Answer 9

If the contractions comes & goes like 15 minutes out start getting ready to go to the hospital
I gave birth at 38 weeks & I was in labour for 1 week.

Good luck.

Answer 10

i went to the doctor when i had those pains, was sent home. If you arent far from the hospital, wait for a while because chances are they are going to stop. When they are real contractions, you will know!! it's probably your body starting to get ready for labour. if there has been any water, like a gush, or blood, then go to the doctor right away though.

Answer 11

Sounds like early labour to me. I had pains like that for about a week before full time labour kicked in. Then again it may just be Braxton Hicks! Complicated thing labour. Have you had any show yet? Good luck!!!