Contractions??? Please help.

breadpudding

I'm 34 weeks 5 days today and on Saturday night around 7:30pm (34+3) I got period-like cramps. So similar that I absentmindedly thought "man! I'm about to start my period." Haha. From 7:30pm that night until 10:30 when I finally fell asleep I was getting contractions every 5 minutes that lasted anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 full minute. I even woke up about 5 times during the night due to hurting. Sunday morning I called L&D and they told me to come right in. I got checked and I am 1cm dilated, 20% effaced and baby's head is in -2 station and they were seeing mild contractions lasting 20 seconds on the monitor. Not enough to keep me so they sent me home. The contractions and cramping lasted the rest of the day yesterday and seemed to stop during the night. But today they have started up again. I don't want to have a preterm labor and I'm so worried. I'm sorry this post is so long... Just wanted to make sure details were added. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!! TIA.

PrimRoseMama

Are you hydrated?
Are you fed?

If you keep getting timeable contractions despite being fed, hydrated & rested then you need to call L&D to let them know. Your on call nurse/midwife/OB will take note & tell you if they want you to come in. Any time before about 38 weeks I was told to call if I had anything timeable.

breadpudding

Yes, both hydrated and fed. When I went to L&D yesterday I felt as though I was being laughed at. This isn't my first child, but I was induced with my DS and I don't know what regular labor is like. All I know are the crazy hyper-contractions that I had during labor with my son. Nothing was natural. your help is much appreciated.