cramps? 39 weeks 6 days?

Question

I lost my plug this morning, and i am getting cramps in my belly. They arent too bad when i am staying still, but when i move around they start and get pretty hurty. They are coming fairly regularly, but they are down the bottom of my tummy. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Some women say contractions just pull, but honestly, with both of my pregnancies the contractions felt like pms cramps, times 100. The cramping you are feeling sounds like labor starting. Watch a clock to see how often they are apart, then call your nurse/ hospital and tell them you think you are in labor and on your way. If the cramps are 2 hours apart you can relax for awhile, if they are 10 minutes apart or less, head to the hospital.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Start timing them and call the hospital and let them know what is going on... Sounds like you are in early labor... Braxton Hicks go away with movement... real ones get worse...



HERE READ THIS:

True vs. False Labor

by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
"How will I know when it is REAL labor?" is a question many first-time moms have as they approach the end of the pregnancy. The mothers-to-be worry that the contractions may stop when they arrive at the hospital and they will be sent home. Conversely, many also worry that they will deliver at home or in the car on the way to the hospital if they wait too long.

What are Braxton-Hicks Contractions?

During the third trimester, your uterus begins to contract. It normally feels like a tightening or a low menstrual-like cramp. It may feel as if the baby is "balling up". This, of course, is not the baby, but is your uterus generating that sensation. These early contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, named after the obstetrician who first described them. Even Braxton-Hicks contractions can sometimes be painful. This can be the confusing part about when to pay attention to them. Contractions in false labor may even come at regular 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. This may go on for hours. Even women who have had already had children go to the hospital thinking they are in real labor and find out is was a false alarm. Here are a few guidelines when distinguishing true from false labor:

Timing of Contractions
• False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together
• True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds.

Strength of Contractions
• False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones.
• True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure

Pain with Contractions
• False Labor: Usually felt in the front only.
• True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front.

Position Changes and Hydration
• False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake.
• True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

If you are less than 35 weeks pregnant and you have regular contractions lasting more than thirty seconds and occurring more than 4-6 times an hour, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If the contractions don't settle down with these changes in activity, call your practitioner. The signs of preterm labor can be subtle, and should be evaluated.

Once you are past 36 weeks, if this is a first pregnancy, you are much more likely to go in to your birth place too early rather than too late. Don't time contractions until they are very strong and regular. Plan to go to the hospital when they are so strong that you cannot hold a conversation during one, closer than 5 minutes apart, and continue in that pattern for over an hour. For women who have given birth before, we recommend using your previous labor as a guideline. On average, second babies come in half the time it took for the first. Subsequent pregnancies are usually similar to the second one.

If you just aren't sure whether it is false or real labor, don't feel bad going into labor and delivery to be examined. Your practitioner and the nurses there see many women each day in false labor. Sometimes it is even hard for the professionals to distinguish if it is the real thing.

Answer 3

Yay!!! after you lose your plug, your gonna be on your way soon! How exciting!!!!! Keep moving around.. when you lay down and your stomach comes to a point and you feel your tummy tightening up too, thats a contraction... remember its ok to have multiple false alarms, as long as you go to the hospital to get it checked out if your concerned... You dont want it to be the one time that its for real and you waited to long to make it there... well good luck.. ur gonna be ok!!

Answer 4

You are in early LABOUR! Get to the hospital NOW! Once you lost the mucous plug, that means your cervix is going to start dilating (opening) and you are suscepticle to infections down there which may pass on to the baby. Call your husband, your ob-gyn or midwife and inform the hospital.

Good luck, enjoy the birthing experience!

Answer 5

This could be the start!

I misinterpreted that sort of cramping as "Oh my gods I'm nervous about the C section tomorrow and have to sit on the toilet NOW". I spent the hour or so before my water broke on the toilet.

Trust me, you'll know a 'real' full contraction when they start.

Good luck, and congrats!

Answer 6

Well considering your almost 40 weeks - my guess is that your probably in labour and should call the hospital to see what they say about it. If it is labour it will only get worse and you don't want to stay at home until it gets too painful to be taken to hospital by car - believe me they do get extremely painful in the lat stage of labour when your in a car.

Answer 7

I'd start timing the frequency of the pains and noting the strength of the pains. If the pains start getting closer and closer and the pains increase, you are most likely in labour. If your partner / person who is gonna be with you for the birth is not there, i would call them immediately and get them to go to you now. Also call your dr / hosp for further advice.
Good Luck with the birth !

Answer 8

if the contractions are regular and close together it's labour another signs is if you can't talk through the contraction it's labour. labour pains are interpreted different by different people, i personally felt it in my back...a lot.

it seems like i have answered a few of your questions lately, I'm not weird it's just a coincidence. plus you ask great questions.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Definitely early labor. It can start and stop a few times before you go into full labor. Just keep an eye on it and get your stuff ready to go to the hospital. They can start getting bad pretty fast.

Answer 10

Sounds like early labour symptoms. That is how i presented. took a few hours before they became stronger and longer contractions. at the beginning felt similar to period cramps. good luck.