I'm 38 weeks pregnant. I know I'll KNOW when I'm in established labour, I was just wondering if this could be the beginning. Your opinions please....
All day I've had strong Braxton Hicks on and off - not painful, just uncomfortable.
For the last couple of hours they've been every five or so minutes, not particularly painful, but strong enough to make me stop what I'm doing and take some deep breaths!
I've had no other signs (waters breaking or a show).
My belly goes tense at the top, then it radiates down and sometimes ends with a shooting pain.
The baby is moving about though and I thought the baby doesn't move when you're in labour.
What are your experiences?
(this is my second baby but I had my first via section so I don't know what to expect)
Thank you
ps. I'm not going to call the midwife/hospital yet. There's really no need, I just want to know how labour felt at the beginning for others.
2007-06-01 10:21:16 · 15 answers · asked by princess 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Veritas & rubynme - I can't decide which of you has given me the best answer!
If you want to add anything please do and I'll choose in the morning (assuming I haven't gone in to hospital).
To everyone, thank you for your help. I appreciate all the answers but I can't understand why some of you have been given thumbs down because I asked for opinions and thats what I have been given.
Thanks again. I really hope this is it! It feels like a waste of pain if it isn't!
2007-06-01 11:38:52 · update #1
This could be pre-labor, which happens when your due date is approaching. Pre-labor can happen weeks or just days before active labor begins.
Here is my experience: In the 2 weeks preceeding going into actual labor, I was getting some pretty painful Braxton-Hicks contractions. In the 2 DAYS before actual labor, the contractions were about 5 minutes apart, but would go away in the evening.
I finally knew it was the real thing when I woke up one morning and the contractions were painful and wouldn't go away, and then my water started trickling out.
It sounds like this is what is happening to you. So your "real" labor could be starting very soon. But here's the great news - your practice contractions are probably getting you a "head start" on labor by doing some of the dilating and effacing now. Chances are, your active labor might be much shorter because of the extra work your uterus is doing now!
Congrats!
2007-06-01 10:26:31 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, with my first i had Braxton Hicks from week 20 untill 30 something. People used to tell me 'oh you'l know when your in labour' Well long story short - i woke up at 5am with backache and feeling uncomfortable. I did think ooh could this be the day, 'noo pple told me from day one that i'd know for definate when i was close. I went back to sleep woke up and cleaned the house from 10am untill about 12 - while having B Hicks. They got closer and closer together, i was getting more uncomfortable, and what i thought was a genral ache started to turn into mild pain, went to hospital when my contractions were 2mins apart! the midwife said i wasnt in labour!! I KNEW i was lol and i wasnt going anywhere, anyway they sat me down examined me and said ooh would you like an epidural your baby will be here very very shortly. My baby moved up until the last 10minutes before being bornso yes by the sounds of it, you could be a few hours away yet but your baby might be here by this time on sunday X Good Luck! And hope this helps
2007-06-01 17:35:22 · answer #2 · answered by prg 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had 5 babies, none c-section. It is probable you are starting labor. Only 2 of mine, the water broke naturally. The others, the dr broke my water.
When I was unsure, I called the nurse on the maternity ward at the hospital. This was the advice I was given:
Start drinking lots of water (dehydration causes B-H).
If the contractions are strong enough to stop you in your tracks, and stay regular--- Call your dr/midwife.
B-H will vary. Sometimes 5 min, then 7, then 3, then 10.
If you are unsure, call the dr. If contractions are regular, intense, the dr may opt to go ahead and deliver (38 weeks is safe for delivery).
A labor contraction will build, get REALLY intense, and stay INTENSE for a minute or longer before subsiding.
B-H usually get intense for 30-45 sec, then taper.
During a labor contraction, you will start to feel pressure around your pelvic area. (The shooting pain you feel may be the cervix starting to thin).
The baby will move during labor. It's probably getting irritated that it's little home is in chaos. The time when the baby doesnt' move is when it is head down and getting ready to move out of it's cozy room, in into the world.
After reading all this, CALL YOUR DR/MIDWIFE!!!!!!
A phone call is free and will give you expert advice.
My opinion, get your suitcase, call your support person (spouse, boyfriend, mom,sister, best friend) and tell them you need a ride. It sounds like you are going to be a new mom this weekend.
2007-06-01 17:36:48 · answer #3 · answered by tipperwell 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like braxton hicks to me, I was like this for a week before the contractions started for real, it only took me 30 mins in labour and the midwife reckoned it was because of the Braxton Hicks being so strong the previous week.
Good luck.
2007-06-01 17:27:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would probably call the hospital just to let them know whats happening. I had my 3rd baby 8 weeks ago and just like you had painless braxton hicks all day. At about 7 o clock they started getting a little painful and coming every 5 mins so i went to the hospital to be checked over. She said i was only 2cm dilated so i decided to go home. I only lasted for about 15 mins until my contractions were coming one after the other and went back to the hospital at half 8. At 9.00 my waters broke and at 9.15 my 9lb 10oz gorgeous little girl was born so be warned, they can come very quick! Good luck babe, its all worth it!
2007-06-01 17:56:00 · answer #5 · answered by sarah p 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they sound stronger than B/H. I had B/H contractions throughout both my pregnancies and they were never strong enough to make me stop what I was doing, and they certainly never ended in a shooting pain. I believe you should contact your midwife now. It can't hurt to call and ask. At 38 weeks, you can certainly be in the beginning stages of labor right now. Good luck!
2007-06-01 17:35:36 · answer #6 · answered by I Should Be Cleaning My House 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it sounds like braxton hicks. However, you really should go see a doctor. Just to make sure your cervix isn't dilating.
Good luck. Safe delivery to you and the baby!
2007-06-01 17:35:24 · answer #7 · answered by Gina F 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's impossible to tell the difference between braxton hicks and real contractions, I went into false labor 3 times before I finally had my second child, each time I went to the hospital, and each time was released, I figured better safe than sorry, I wasn't about to have my baby on the living room floor.
2007-06-01 17:25:30 · answer #8 · answered by Winter Glory 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
drink some water. if they continue call the er. they'll tell you if you should come in. seriously, that's what they are there for. they would much rather you come in, get checked out and sent home than have problems later!
BTW - i felt my daughter moving all during labor - even during birth so i might be the minority percentage but it does happen.
congrats and good luck!
2007-06-01 17:32:37 · answer #9 · answered by mender_bender2001 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
call your midwife or hospital get the correct advice thats the safe bet i think all the best
2007-06-01 17:37:42 · answer #10 · answered by KATRINA S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋