I am just about 40 weeks pregnant and i am def having contractions, i feel the tightening and i am getting some groin pains and pulling sensations a few that felt reall sharp, but for the most part it's not very painful does that mean i am not starting labor. My dr said to call with labor "pains" every 3-5 minutes but i dont know what pain to expect. How do i know if i am starting labor? Do i wait for the pains to get unbearable? A week ago I was 1 cm dilated and completly effaced with the baby at -1 station, so maybe the pains are just the baby being so low?? Thanks for any helpful answers!
2007-03-09 15:10:29 · 15 answers · asked by estkijedsco 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Sounds like you are really close. Usually contractions are a consistant 5 minutes apart or 3 minutes apart and not a range, but that doesn't mean you aren't in early labor.
I always say that you know it is labor when you start negotiating with God for relief. LOL
I had mild contractions up until 3cm with my first and until 5cm with my second. My guess is that you are in early labor and that you could wait longer to see what they do but if the hospital is far away and you feel like they are getting stronger you should go in. If it is a false alarm that is no big deal...at least you know!
2007-03-09 15:17:41 · answer #1 · answered by wendysorangeblossoms 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, with my daughter I had tightening but no real pain-I thought it was Braxton-Hicks. Imagine my surprise when I was told I was in labor with contractions 2-3 minutes apart! I was 3 cm dilated, but the baby had a "non-reassuring" heart rate and my blood pressure was sky-high so they sectioned me before I had seizures. With my son I was in the hospital on the monitors and the nurse had noticed I had had 7 contractions in a row and asked if I wanted anything for the pain. I told her I wasn't having pain, because I didn't.
You could call your doctor and talk to him or her while you are having the contractions. They say that docs can tell by the sound of your voice where you are in your labor. Good luck!
2007-03-10 00:34:36 · answer #2 · answered by n2mama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Real, productive, labor contractions start from the top and then work down your belly. They are sustained, start light then get harder then slack off before ending. Think of them as waves starting at the top of your belly and building as they wash downwards. They come in regular intervals and get closer together. They do not ease up if you walk, change positions, shower, eat, go to the bathroom, etc. They are generally not "sharp" or "sudden" You'll also have "bloody show" or mucous flowing from your vagina if you are in labor. You might lose your water (but that's not always true) And a lot of times, you'll have the need to evacuate your bowels several times.
If you are only have cramps on one side or on the underneath, if they are irregular or get further apart, or if they stop when you shower or eat, then it's probably just Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Sounds to me like Braxton-Hicks contractions but they are often the precursor to actual labor. I had Braxton-Hicks contractions for about 2 days before I finally knew I was "in labor" If they start to increase in intensity or if your water breaks, call the doctor or go to the hospital and get checked.
Good luck!
2007-03-09 23:28:03 · answer #3 · answered by heather_palmer580 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to the hospital when mine were 4 minutes apart and I couldnt talk through them...You will know when you are in labor, just make sure you get to the hospital on time. By the time I got there I felt like I was having the baby! Then less than 5 hours later I did have him! If you want to make them stonger and up the chances of your water breaking, go for a walk. Don't wear yourself out though. It will help the baby drop and help you dialate. Good Luck!
2007-03-09 23:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by MyOpinionMatters 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they dont have to be really painful. Some women have easier labor than others.
Time your contractions... from the time one starts to the time the next one starts (not from the start of one to the end of it). If they are 5 minutes apart for more than one hour, go to the hospital, even if they aren't that painful. If they get to 3 minutes apart, get your butt there quick. If your water breaks, go to the hospital.
2007-03-09 23:18:12 · answer #5 · answered by Erin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
congratulations...sounds like you are getting real close to having your babe...I believe what you are describing is the labor pains that some have before you go into hard labor...when the hard labor pains hit you will know it.. you will have no problem recognizing them........I don't know much about the light labor..with both my kids I skipped this part and went straight into hard pains going straight up my back .. when I started timing them..they were coming five minutes apart..right off the bat...and I had really short labors...about two hours with my first...and a little over an hour with my second -I just about didn't make it to the hospital--.....anyway, it sounds like your wait is just about over... : )
Best wishes to you and your babe.......
2007-03-09 23:43:24 · answer #6 · answered by LeftField360 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they don't have to be unbearable. A couple of my friends said they would not have described labor as painful at all - they would describe it more like an intense pressure that lasts a minute and then goes away, or feeling like you have to poop, but not "pain." Basically its the consistancy of the feeling and how often it comes. I hope this helps. Good luck at your birth!
2007-03-09 23:16:37 · answer #7 · answered by Angie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you have to question wether or not they arent real labor pains- then they aren't. Trust me- you will know without a shadow of a doubt the first time you have a real labor contraction.
Also a good way to tell- can you talk while you're having them? If you can't hold a conversation and talk while you're having the pain- then they are strong enough contractions.
2007-03-09 23:13:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are a few stages to labor.
you are in labor if your contractions are regular and increasing in intensity.....but that doesn't mean it is painful. labor is muscle tightening.
Full on labor pains ARE painful....and you will have a kind of desire to squat or lots of pressure in your bowel area when your about to start feeling like you need to push.
Its different for every body, but trust me, if your in definite labor you WILL know!
good luck!
2007-03-10 00:10:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 of my 4 deliveries were a piece of cake. Felt like uncomfortable period cramps and I walked and talked just fine. Only had real pain with last one so don't believe it HAS to be unbearable. I walked in got on the table and delivered 4 mins later with my first.
2007-03-09 23:30:15 · answer #10 · answered by nivea41176 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋