Contractions

simplytay19

This is my first time pregnant. 36 weeks today and I think I've been having contractions. They've gotten stronger. And they've been on and off all day, they were so bad they woke me up out of my sleep this morning. Any advice on what I should do? I went to the doctor last Friday and I wasn't thinned out and wasn't dialated. Also, can contractions cause hip/back/and pelvic bone pain? I have scoliosis and I'm thinking I might have back labor. Thanks in advance. And I know most of you will tell me to call my doctor, but all they've told me is to time my contractions.

thelittlepear

Drink water, put your feet up, get some rest. You can also try an epsom salt bath. If they're braxton hicks, they should subside after awhile. Otherwise, your doctor is right - time them, and if they get into any sort of rhythm, call and ask what they want you to do. Some OB's may want you to come in sooner since it's still early, others may tell you to wait until you hit 5-1-1.

Good luck!

simplytay19

Thanks! I've been having them all day tho. Thinking about going to the er. They were so bad they woke me up out of a dead sleep this morning. My back is killing me. Just hoping she'll stay in there one more week so I can say I made it full term and she'll be healthy!

cloudedskies

36 weeks is still good , I'd say yes you are having contractions but hey I'm no medical professional !! Go to dr or Er.

taahira

For real labor you should be able to time your contractions. I've been having horrible contractions, on and off since 29 weeks. There stop and start, and the timing is all off. So it's not actual labor at this point.

bwoo82

This is my second pregnancy and I've been having BH contractions since about 24 weeks. I went the hospital and was monitored when they first started because I didn't have them with my first. Now I've just gotten used to them. I definitely have more than 4 an hour and sometimes they are pretty regular. I was told if you drink water and lay on your left side and they continue to get stronger and more regular in pattern and don't stop, they are true contractions. If not, they are Braxton hicks. So far mIne eventually go away. I'm 36.5 weeks. I would say if you have no other signs of labor, you are probably ok. But you know your body and if you think it might be labor, I wouldn't take any chances. The worst thing that can happen is they will send you home to wait some more Good luck!

KatyInNH

simplytay19 said:

Thanks! I've been having them all day tho. Thinking about going to the er. They were so bad they woke me up out of a dead sleep this morning. My back is killing me. Just hoping she'll stay in there one more week so I can say I made it full term and she'll be healthy!

Can you call your OB and ask? I would assume they would send you to L&D, not the emergency department. Seems silly to have an ED bill when it's not an emergency.

This is based on a complete assumption on my part though, I don't know how your hospital works.

Sharon&Paul

For me I always knew when they were real contractions. I did have prodromal labor for 5 days with my last daughter. The contractions would start and stop until my water broke 5 days later. I usually wait until the contractions are to the point I drop to the ground for them and need to focus to get through them. For me that means real labor. Otherwise contractions could come and go for weeks before hand. At 36 weeks they asked that I call, but when I did call last time they said they would not stop it at that point. Just rest and drink water and call if they got worse.

smilesallaround

KatyInNH said:

simplytay19 said:

Thanks! I've been having them all day tho. Thinking about going to the er. They were so bad they woke me up out of a dead sleep this morning. My back is killing me. Just hoping she'll stay in there one more week so I can say I made it full term and she'll be healthy!

Can you call your OB and ask? I would assume they would send you to L&D, not the emergency department. Seems silly to have an ED bill when it's not an emergency.

This is based on a complete assumption on my part though, I don't know how your hospital works.

My hospital will charge you the ER bill if you are not admitted to L&D. But my ER also won't see you if you are pregnant unless it is clearly not pregnancy related until you have been cleared by L&D.

I would say try to be seen by your doctor before they close today, well if you still have time where you live. That bill is much cheaper.

pistachio&blush

I was admitted to Labor & Delivery today. I was having contractions and I didn't feel anything at all. It turned out I was just dehydrated (which was causing contractions). I was released and instructed to rest and drink more water.

You should tell your doctor what is going and get checked out. That is the only way to know what is going on. Good luck!

aeornelas

A couple days late to the conversation, but I wanted to add my two cents. I am a FTM, my baby girl was born 3 weeks ago at 34 weeks gestation.

I also didn't know whether or not I was having "real" contractions. I had been told that I would know for sure when they were the real deal because of the pain. On a Friday I went into L&D (not for contractions) and they determined my cervix was closed. Well, fast forward 24 hours later to Saturday night. I could not fall asleep due to contracting pain. Due to the frustration of not being able to fall asleep (not the pain) I decided to go into L&D again. By the time we got to the hospital I couldn't walk because it hurt so bad. I knew these were the real contractions that people had been describing. Sure enough, I was dilated to a 4 and my baby was born less than 12 hours later.

Now a firm believer, you'll know if the contractions are real. Then again, every pregnancy is different!

Best of luck, I hope the pain subsides soon!

nursemom83

@pistachio&blush Same for me!! Got admitted to l&d yesterday 3/14 for dehydration. Never did I think I was with all the water I drink. Had a low grade temp and contractions were 5-10 min apart. I did find out I was 4cm now and 90% effaced. Then got sent home once little ones heart rate slowed a little. She was running nonstop upper 170s.

When I left, contractions were 10 min apart.

court476

I thought they figured they would have admitted if you were 4cm??
At least my hospital would have.

mrsalvidrez

I've had scoliosis my whole life and had the corrective surgery a few yrs ago so I've dealt with my fair share of back pain. When my contractions started I thought it was probably just back pain since I've had it so much and it woke me up in the middle of the night. My son was born 7 hours later. The only reason I even called the hospital was because I timed them and they were consistent and kept getting stronger. Good thing I did, lol. Keep timing and if they are consistent and strong it doesn't hurt to call/go in, better safe than sorry, good luck!