Contractions?

Question

This is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what contractions feel like! I'm 36 weeks pregnant and i go to the doctor tomorrow. A girl that had her baby about 2 months ago told me when she went at 36 weeks they didn't check her because she told them she hasn't been having contractions. I really don't know how to tell if I am or not. How can I tell?!

I get these real sharp pains in my back that hapeen every so often but not all the time. Could this possibly be Braxton Hicks contractions? I also get sick to my stomach sometimes, but it goes away pretty quickly...could either of those two be braxton hicks?

Answer 1

well for starters you can feel them. If they are the real thing they will hurt! If they are braxton hicks they can be painless and the only way you can really tell is periodically your belly will go rock hard and tight. Sort of like being squeezed like a vice. When the real contractions start they will be more like a soft period pain like throbbing and gradually worsen to be regular and painful. If you get the period pain feeling and it goes away it is probably braxton hicks, if it stays its a contraction.

Some doctors won't do an internal at 36wks unless you ask them to. It is sometimes not a good idea because they might say, oh your thinning and 1cm dilated and this then gets you anxious and thinking that labour is going to start soon when in actual fact its weeks away. You just spend the next 4 wks walking on eggshells thinking every little twinge is labour. Sometimes its just better to wait until 39-40 wks and then get them to do a stretch and sweep which may help you go into labour.

best of luck for a safe and healthy delivery!

Answer 2

Contractions differ from woman to woman and pregnancy...I have 4 kids and I had back labor with two of them and didn't feel contractions with the other two..My water also didn't break by itself with any of them..First two the Dr had to break my water..Next two the water broke on the hospital bed... But to answer the question although true labor contractions may be irregular at first, over time they start coming at regular and shorter intervals, become increasingly more intense, and last longer.With true labor, you may feel the pain start in your lower back and wrap around to your abdomen.True labor contractions will persist and progress regardless of what you do.
You could also have Braxton hicks which are as your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to come somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they should remain infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless. Sometimes, though, Braxton Hicks are hard to distinguish from early signs of preterm labor.
Play it safe and don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. If you haven't hit 37 weeks yet and you're having four or more contractions in an hour, or have any other signs of preterm labor, call your caregiver immediately.
By the time you're within a couple of weeks of your due date, these contractions may get more intense and more frequent, and cause some discomfort. Unlike the earlier painless and sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions that caused no obvious cervical change, these may help your cervix "ripen": gradually soften and efface, and maybe even begin to dilate a bit. This period is sometimes referred to as "pre-labor."

Answer 3

Sounds like Braxton Hicks contractions. If they look to be common, you must relaxation and drink a few water. The extra hydrated you're the fewer you are going to have them. If you have been in early exertions, the contractions would not stop, they might simply preserve getting more potent. As some distance as the release, so long as there's no smell or something, it is average. Your frame raises vaginal discharge in coaching for supply, it is going to occur by way of the relaxation of your being pregnant. The diarrhea used to be traditionally whatever you ate.

Answer 4

You'll know. First you can feel them even if there is no pain yet. Your abdomen tightens up then relaxes again. The pain could come in the form of a back ache or feel like cramps at first. At that point its worth giving the doc's office a call. You will know when you are in full blown labor when the pains come strong and close together or your water breaks. Your doc will tell you when to go to the hospital (contractions every few minutes, or when your water breaks, etc.)

Answer 5

If the contractions get pretty painful, call your doc (anytime). Ask the doctor to check you tomorrow, they absolutely will if your worried. As for the "regular" contractions, 5min. apart...don't completely count on that, mine were painful but extremely irregular, so I waited like they said to. Long story short, I pushed ONE TIME to get my daughter out by the time I got to the hospital.

Answer 6

Braxton hicks sometimes hurt but sometimes you don't feel them at all. It feels a lot like a menstural cramp.

Answer 7

trust me you will know when labour starts i dont mean to scare you but the pains you get now. well they are a lot stronger than that when labour stats.