Labor nurses please-- Am I in labor? Contractions 10 mins, but slow sometimes for an hour or so, then return.?

Question

I'm 39 weeks preg., and with my first child, though I had to be induce (water broke spontaneously) the labor progressed V-E-R-Y slowly.
Now, with my second, I've had pretty consistent contractions-- yesterday they were about 15-20 mins apart for most of the day, and I lost 4 big (size of a silver dollar) mucous chunks in a row (not bloody). In the mid-afternoon, the contractions seemed to go away for an hour or so, then came back right on schedule. Today, I woke up and began timing again, and they are about 10 mins apart, but for the last hour have slowed just like yesterday.
I experience ALOT of pre-labor and braxton-hicks, but it's never regular like this for longer than an hour or so.

I need to clarify-- , when I went to bed last night, contractions continued through the night.

Answer 1

I went through this same type of thing with my third baby in August. I had contractions for two days that never intensified enough to be "real labor" but they were pretty regular.

I went to my midwife and she checked me out but sent me home. I tried walking and all that other stuff but the contractions never went to less than 5 minutes apart or got really painful.

I even passed my mucus plug.

Then on the third day I finally woke up at 4 a.m. and the contractions were painful AND I started leaking fluid, so then I knew it was time to go.

So wait until they are closer and maybe your water breaks, too. Those are certain signs of real labor.

Anything else is probably "pre labor" or BH contractions.

Answer 2

I am not a labor nurse but I have had 3 children. I know every pregnancy is different but for the most part they generally go in the same sequence. I was told that unless your contractions get to 5 minutes apart then you are ok. But to keep timing them. If they go away they are probably bot the real thing even though they are regular. I would keep a close eye on it and if they do get closer to go and get checked out. It wouldn't hurt to have the dr's there check to see if it "the right time to have you admitted". With my youngest daughter, who is now 4, I wet to the hospital quite frequently because the contractions were so regular and they got to 5 minutes apart but they gave me drugs to stop the labor because it would have been way to early and they worked. I was admitted the day before my due date and had her just after midnight on my due date. There were other factors for the preterm labor but that is another story.

Answer 3

I would have to say no still pre-labor, "real contractions" don't go away and intensify with activity, these still sound as if they are BH Contractions, given the fact that they come and go, not rhythmic like regular contractions would be, when they get to be 4-5 mins apart consistently for an hour or your water breaks then I would say your in labor and to go to the hospital.

NOTE: Obviously I cant check for dilation, but from what you say I still stand by pre-labor.

Answer 4

I am going through the same thing. My OB said that if your contractions get to be 5 minutes apart, you start leaking fluid or you see any signs of blood come in to be checked. It is better to be safe than sorry. My contractions got to 3 min apart and I dilated 2cm and they just stopped. I go in Monday. I say go to the hospital and get checked out.

Answer 5

you will desire to bypass to the medical doctors you do no longer desire to fool around and not be there in time to get an entire dose of antibiotics in time. Plus it sound like your in hard paintings look purely bypass greater effective secure then sorry

Answer 6

Go to the hospital, you need to go

Answer 7

Please call your doctor as soon as possible, you need to talk to her not us!