Am I in labor?

Question

I'm 37.6 weeks....I don't usually ever feel anything an night while I'm trying to sleep. Stomach keeps getting tight and then relaxes....like contractions...kind of irregular at this point...but they've been waking me up every hour. I like sleeping on my right side usually and tonight I am so uncomfortable the only way I can sleep is on the left even so I have heartburn and indigestion real bad and kind of gassy (maybe that's too much information) but could this be the start of labor?

Water has not broken yet and have not lost mucus plug. Just the contractions.

Answer 1

that sounds like pre labor pains.....also known as braxton hicks contractions....does it hurt your back too......i had these pains for 2 months before i gave birth to my daughter a week after her due date........i know it hurts....but they won't do anything unless you are dialated to atleast 2cm.....

Answer 2

Hun, you need to ask someone who can give you information right away, like call your doc or something. But anyways that does kinda sound like you are going into labor to me but then again it could just be the indigestion. Here is a labor checklist I got from the website below.

1. How do the contractions feel? Labor contractions are felt low in the groin or in the lower back. They may radiate from front to back or back to front or down your legs. They are dull and crampy like menstrual or gas cramps. Prelabor contractions, which you may have been experiencing for months, feel like a tightening across your belly or like the baby suddenly stretched in all directions.

2. How strong are they? A good, business-like labor contraction is strong enough that you cannot walk or talk while you are having it.

3. How close together? To measure the contraction interval, time from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. You are looking for a mostly regular pattern three to five minutes apart. The usual advice, barring special considerations, is to make your move when they have been this close together for a couple of hours if this is a first baby and an hour if you have given birth before.

4. How long do they last? Contractions should last roughly a minute from start to finish. Sometimes in early labor they may seem to last much longer but that's generally because they are mild enough that it's hard to tell when they begin and end.

5. Has the pattern changed over time? Labor contractions will get longer, stronger, and closer together over time. Often contractions go along at one level and then intensify over a fairly short time period, say, an hour or two, as labor shifts gears from early to active phase. Prelabor contractions can sometimes be quite regular over several hours, but the pattern stays the same.

6. Does changing your activity affect them? Prelabor contractions usually peter out if you get them while you are active and switch to something relaxing such as taking a warm bath. Likewise, if you have been resting and get up and move around, they generally go away. You may be able to get labor contractions to back off somewhat, but with rare exceptions, nothing makes them go away short of having the baby.

7. Did your bag of waters break? If they broke with a pop or gush, the contractions that follow will almost certainly develop into progressive labor. With a slow leak, contractions may or may not lead anywhere.

The website seems helpful.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

You might be having braxton Hicks contractions which are the bodys way to get you ready to deliver. Even if your contractions are irregular write them down. Sometimes contractions can have an irregular Regularity to them....
For instance a woman can have two contractions five minutes apart , then another one 20 minutes later, then two more that are five minutes apart. then another 20 minute stretch. See there is a pattern
When uncomfortable pad yourself with pillows all around you.

For the heart burn ask your doctor to recommend something over the counter med for your heartburn,
It the gas is troubling. Drink a glass of hot herbal tea or just a cup of hot watet, might help that gas pass.

You might be in the early phase of labor.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

im not sure... obviously cause im not a doctor :)
dont think that you are in labor yet, you are probably just having braxton hicks contractions.. they arent painful.
has your water broken? or have you lost your mucous plug? or had a bloody show?
you are supposed to go in to the hospital when contractions are 5 minutes apart, and last for about a minute. and are uncomfortable :)

but i would call my doctor (even if its the 24 hr nurse line) to get a second opinion, or go in to the hospital if youre really concerned. dont take our words for it!!! theres no way that we can really KNOW whats going on, not thru a computer screen anyways!!!

good luck momma!!!!

Answer 6

YES, that could be the beginning of labor!
I'm 37 weeks pregnant and my doctor told me today that is considerd full term and if I start to have those contractions for more than 2 hrs. steady and they come closer and closer .. go to the ER .. I'm in Labor!
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MUCOUS PLUG OR YOUR WATER NOT BREAKING!
he said a lot of the time they have to break your water at the ER and you lose your mucous plug during labor!!

Answer 7

Watch the time if there is a fluctuation in time it's Braxton-Hicks contractions, but if they are coming at a regular times intervals it's labor honey and congrats on that!

Answer 8

It sure sounds like it to me. I have had 7 children and that has happened with all of them. Time the pains and when they get about 15 minutes apart go to the hospital.I hope everything is alright

Answer 9

if you are, why are you reading this answer... sheesh woman go to the hospital!!! LOL... good luck to you. Best wishes for a safe and happy delivery!

Answer 10

Possibly. Maybe you should call your doctor and ask.