real contractions vs. fake.?

Question

a couple nights ago, i was having contractions. but they weren't cramping, my stomach was getting tight and loose, for like two hours. but they were close together. then they started cramping and just went away? the next night i had the same thing. i called the doctor and they told me to come in if they get strong.

since then i went to the doctors. i am 38 weeks. due on the 20th. i am not dilated. but i'm sitting here and i'm getting sight cramping, and it's getting tight and loose again. and my stomach is getting ROCK hard when it tightens up.

are these false?

Answer 1

Every woman's contractions feel different. Sometimes, one woman will experience different feelings for different pregnancies! Your body may be just getting ready for the birth of your baby... Sometimes, there may be slight dehydration, which can cause cramping... and there is still the Braxton Hicks. Try drinking water, and if that doesn't do the trick, lay down and prop your feet up. Try timing the contractions...if they are "time able", they are probably real labor....if they are aren't...they are false labor

Answer 2

I got those types of cramps for about two months before I went into labor. They got progressively worse as I got closer to my due date. It's hard to tell what is real and what is false. When I was pregnant, I swore I was in labor at least a dozen times. When I finally did go into labor, I felt so stupid for thinking the other cramps were the real thing. The real thing hurt far worse than what I thought was labor. The difference was the real thing started on the sides and slowly tightened up to a knot in the center of my belly so that my stomach felt rock hard and then relaxed again. This wave of cramps lasted about a minute each and were very close together. Either way - false or real, it was sort of the same thing, but the real was so painful and consistent. The false was uncomfortable and spiratic. If you do not see a pattern in your cramps, it is probably just braxton hicks. Get a notebook and right down when it starts, how long it lasts and on a scale of 1 to 10 how badly it hurt. Once you see a pattern about every 10 minutes, call your doctor.

Answer 3

You'll know when the contractions are consistant. They won't stop. They will eventually get closer together, get stronger, and last longer. It's possible that you are in the very earliest stages of labor, since you are now 38 wks pregnant. If the contractions go away or aren't consistant or progressing, then they are probably Braxton-Hicks contractions--normal contractions, but not labor. It's believed that Braxton-Hicks contractions is your body's way of preparing for the real thing.
Have you lost your mucous plug yet? That's another sign that labor is close at hand. Another thing, the amniotic sac doesn't always burst all at once. Sometimes water can trickle out over a period of time.
Just keep timing your contractions----Good Luck and Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Boy, I don't envy your situation! I was there a year ago, as a first time mom, I too, had many questions on this subject. Here is some information on the subject, I hope it helps:

A common dilemma for first-time moms, especially, is how to tell if you are in labor. Many women in their third trimester are plagued by Braxton Hicks contractions. These are “practice contractions” to prepare your uterus for eventual labor. They can last days, weeks, or even months. Braxton Hicks contractions are usually not painful, but can sometimes be intense. They can even occur rapidly one after the other before they subside. Many of us do mistake them for the real thing. I assure you that the nurses in the Birth Center can attest to that.

If you are having Braxton Hicks-like contractions that become regular for several hours, call your doctor. This could be the beginning of labor. On the other hand, it may not. You will be able to tell when you’re in labor, as the contractions will take your breath away. A good rule of thumb is that if you are able to talk regularly while contracting, then you’re probably not in labor.


As a rule of thumb, if you start having contractions that you are unable to talk/walk through...it's time to get to the hospital! Always keep in mind, it's better to play it safe and go in to find out it's false labor than to end up in an emergency situation!

Best of luck to you and your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy!!!

Answer 5

I have been having really bad contractions like that since i was 24 weeks i am now 34. And for the last 5 days i have them every single day for 2-6 hours they come about every 7-10 minutes. I told my dr about it and they weren't to concerned. i think it is just the early stages of labor your body getting ready for the big day.
this is my second and with my first i didn't have this at all and she came at 37 weeks.
mine our so bad that i can't move but they end up going away after a few hours regarless if i walk, lay down or drink.
don't worry to much about if your not dialiting and go away in an hour or so your body is getting ready (the more it does now-the less it has to do later)

Answer 6

technically they are REAL however you aren't in labor till you're dialated. that's what alot of people get confused about, even women who have given birth. the braxton hicks are centrally located and are fleeting and can occur in the 30th week. however REAL contraction begin as early as 36 weeks. you are 38, you are ready to go any minute actually. our due dates are at 40 weeks but i've had all my kids at 36-38 weeks. just keep a journal now. write down every time you have a contraction and for how long. it will be erratic for about 2-3 days then you'll see a pattern. you will have one every 9 hours, and then one every 7 and then soon you'll know you'll need to get checked to see if you've dilated. good luck!
momma of four!

Answer 7

It's very possible that they are false contractions. Unfortunately real contractions are a lot more painful but if you are 38 weeks it's hard to tell. Every woman is different. Just keep in touch with your Doctor and everything will work out fine. Congratulations!

Answer 8

Probably just braxton hicks contractions. The way to tell is to ask yourself if they are painful. Then, try and walk during the time you are having them. If they go away when walking, yes, it is false. If they continue and cause you pain while you walk, then they are true. Sounds like your body is in prep mode which can happen even a few weeks before you go into true labour. Best of luck to you...You are term so that is a great thing...I am waiting still....due in 3 days.

Answer 9

More than likely they are braxton hicks(false) contractions..if its labor they will not keep going away and coming back the next day. I had contractions from the time I was 7mos. pregnant all the way up to labor. You'll probably start dialating soon too since you keep getting these contractions. Real labor--they don't stop!

Answer 10

Braxton Hicks contractions
* Irregular in intensity
* Infrequent
* Unpredictable
* Non-rhythmic
* More uncomfortable than painful
* They do not increase in intensity, or frequency
* They taper off and then disappear altogether
If doing any of these does not alleviate your contractions, you should contact your health care provider.
* Change positions; lie down if you have been standing or
go for a walk if you have been sitting or laying
* Take a warm bath for 30 minutes or less
* Drink a couple of glasses of water, because contractions
may be brought on by dehydration
* Drink a warm cup of herbal tea or milk