Labor

lolasmit

Hello,

I have had cramps on and off, so I figured that was normal. Since last night I've been having cramps non-stop regardless of how much water I drink, if I change position or what I do. By the way I am 36 weeks. It feels like a period cramp, but increasing. I called my midwife and she wanted me to come in, but they are so booked that they didn't want me to seat in the waiting room. She said she thinks I may be in labor, but to call the midwife on call and she may have me go to the hospital.

I tried calling the midwife on call, but no answer. Now my question is, my cramps aren't bad enough where I can't walk or talk. They just feel like an extremely bad period. The baby is still moving. Would it hurt to wait a few more hours to see if they go away? And if I am in labor and only 1cm dilated wouldn't the hospital just send me home? I guess, I am trying to say if in your experience is wise to wait a few hours while I relax at home. I wanted to wait until I can't walk or talk through it. 

My appointment with the midwife is scheduled for Friday. I honestly don't want to go to the hospital if I am only 1cm dilated or if it's a false alarm. I've heard of many women who are in labor for weeks. 

Please don't say I am stupid or silly for not following my Doctor's instructions, but I just don't want to have to be sent home or induced if I am not that far. 

TIA

MommyAtty

If your water hasn't broken, you aren't having discharge or blood, and you aren't having serious regular contractions, you can probably wait. I would tell the midwife on call you would like to stay home for a while and see if he/she convinces you that you should go on in. I had cramps feelings that weren't labor for 2 weeks before DD was born. And I was dilated to between a 2 and 3 that whole time.

mb314

My labor started with period cramps where I could walk and talk - that lasted about 2 hours before I was in full blown labor (but I had a relatively quick labor).

If you are only 36 weeks, and you go in and they find you are in early labor, it could be that they will try to stop labor (I don't know).  That may be why your midwife told you to go to the hospital.  If you get ahold of the midwife on call, I would ask if they would try to stop labor at this point or if they would just have you proceed. 

lolasmit

What kind of discharge??

lolasmit

They said they would just let the labor proceed. Thank you both. Then at this point is just waiting.

mb314

Good luck!  Keep us posted.

lolasmit

I have still had these non stop cramps since Tuesday night. Tomorrow is my appointment with the midwife, so I figured I'll wait until then.It just feels like I am getting my period, and some times it intensifies. Sometimes my back hurts, but not 100% of the time. Then at other times I feel like someone grabs my stomach tight, pulls, and then lets go. 

mb314

Let us know what the midwife said!

apples7

Good luck