@MrsB627 I've been there a few times for what turned out to be watery discharge, so you're not the only one! Lol.
I've actually been wet for the last few days and I've been hesitant to go in because I'm assuming it's more of the same. I'm tired of spending hours in L&D triage thinking I'm leaking when I'm not.
Yes, you will receive all types of responses about how how contractions actually feel.
I actually went into L&D at 29 weeks due to sudden onset of diarrhea and period like cramps. I honestly thought I caught a bug from eating take out. Turns out I was in labor! Real labor! The period like cramps were changing my cervix.
Everyone is different...
Me {32} DH {34}
Married 05/2014
PCOS baby due October 09, 2016 Beta #1: 22.5 Beta #2: 74
How come my doc doesn't tell me this "you're ___% effaced, ___% dilated" nothing like that! She hasn't checked my cervix, etc. Is that normal?
Mine hasn't checked anything either. All I know is my fluids are good because I get growth US every 4 weeks (last one was last week). I would like to know if I'm starting to dilate and stuff.
@annabenanna some doctors don't check your cervix until you go into the L&D because it can stir up trouble - re:labor. But I think the general consensus of when they start checking a healthy pregnancy is around 36 weeks.
My real contractions start from the back and go low into my pelvis. Then they flow up my abdomen until they hit the top of my uterus. Feel like period/bubble gut cramps.
With DD, my water broke before I had contractions and they just felt like menstrual cramps.
@LauraPCOS Hang in there! I had a painful week last week, and thought I was doomed for the rest of her residency. Things have made a complete turnaround this week (well....maybe like 80% turnaround), and I feel like a new woman. Tomorrow may change, but for now I rejoice.
@annabenanna I haven't had my cervix checked either. I figure because I've had no indications of baby being ready to come, it's still too early. (I'm 34+4)
@annabenanna I've been checked when I was in L&D, but my OB hasn't checked me. Probably because it's too early and she reads the L&D notes before we start.
Had my first cervix check today at 35 weeks, but I was having my GBS too so it was more of a let's just check while we're down there type thing, then starting next week she'll check every week. I also found out that baby is transverse right now so nothing happening with the cervix yet. Hoping LO will move into the head down position soon!
What surprised me with DS was that my body did the pushing without me consciously doing it. Everything I'd seen or read made it sound like your doctor tells you when to push and then you bear down, but it wasn't like that. one second I was just contracting and the next my body was pushing. The doctor kept telling me to push slower and ask I could think was 'I don't know how!'
My contractions felt nothing like period cramps. A hardening feeling that took up my whole midsection. It was like this hard ball that was radiating pain out of all sides.
I will say, though, for me thy weren't as bad as I was expecting. I started with early labor around 4 p.m., and they didn't get bad enough that I had to concentrate through each one until 11 p.m. Once that happened, I labored at home until 8:30 a.m. the next day. I even let DH sleep from 11-4:30 or so that night.
So, don't despair! You never know how your labor will go.
Mine checked my cervix this week (35 weeks), but there's nothing to tell since I still have my cerclage in. My contractions were pretty mild with my DD until they put me on pitocin. Pitocin contractions are a b*tch!
When I went into labor with my first, I just remember being on my hands and knees on the living room floor thinking "wtf have I done". I am having a lot of BH right now and some are really uncomfortable but until I get the "oh what the hell did I get myself into" kind of pain then I am not too worried.
Wow I just learned so much! This is a great thread!
Married 11-11-11 TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year. BFP 02-15-16 with our first IT'S A BOY!!!
Do cervix checks (during labor or before) hurt? People seem uncomfortable getting checks done during labor... But that's on some TLC show I saw years ago.
How do they know to check your fluid if you don't get any US done after the AS?
Okay so what does a contraction REALLY feel like? Is it like a period cramp? Or like a "omg i have to poop it hurts" kind of pain? Doc says I'll feel it on my entire belly.... and so far my BH contractions have been painless. Just a hardening sensation.
So when it's the real thing, what does it feel like?
I know it's cliche to say you'll know the real thing, but you will. Your whole belly will get tight and it's more intense than period cramps. My contractions wrap around to my lower back. It's a sharp pain that lasts around a minute. I didn't get the "I need to poop" sensation until I was ready to push. That pressure is undeniable.
I agree. I had lots of BH with my first pregnancy and once my water broke and I felt real contractions- I mean it was pain. I couldn't even stand up- I had to hold onto the counter or the bed and I was bend over. I had back labor and contractions. You honestly, just know.
@bnsmith85 I don't remember them being super painful but I think people worry about inducing labor or introducing bacteria. I think when they measure your belly they get an idea of your fluid. Of course this is all guessing on my part!
@bnsmith85 I think cervical checks are uncomfortable but not painful. I have a friend who said they hurt though. So I'm sure it depends on how low baby is, if you're dilated, your own body shape, etc.
@LauraPCOS my BH also fluctuate between 30 seconds to a minute. When I first started having them (14 weeks) they were closer to 15 seconds probably but never just a few seconds.
@bnsmith85 Like @waterfall213, I find cervix checks uncomfortable but not painful. As for fluid checks, I think they assume you're fine unless you're leaking. If you're leaking fluid, they'll probably send you for an ultrasound to check. (Just realized this sounds like I'm talking about a car being taken to the mechanic.)
@bnsmith85 I asked the fluid question the other day but can't remember where. I think it was that if you start measuring small and they have concern about fluid and/or growth then they'd do an U/S to check on things.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
They can totally check fluid levels on an ultrasound but if you are unsure if your water broke or is leaking, they can do a swab check at L&D which is painless. But the swab changes color if it is AF
@bnsmith85 I've been wondering the same thing about checking fluids without an ultrasound so I'm glad you asked! We aren't supposed to have anymore US.
I find anything involving my cervix getting touched to be painful, tbh. Pap smears or other gyno exams are hell. With DS, I didn't get cervical checks until I was in labor and I plan the same thing this time. People just need to keep their hands out of my snatch, lol.
And the question about what contractions feel like: imagine one of those grandiose wrestling belts (WWE style) around you, centered at about your belly button. Then imagine cinching it tight for 15-30 seconds then let go. As time goes on, the cinching gets tighter and holds for longer.
I am so late to this, but when I saw who started this, I got really excited to see some twin girl progress! Glad they're still cooking though.
@annabenanna@krzyriver That "time to go" moment is the thing that stresses me out the most, tbh. I don't like the surprise of it all, never knowing when it will be. That's really the main reason I'm okay if they decide I need a scheduled C. I'd like to have an end date in mind to close up shop at work.
I don't really know what thread this would go under, but I was looking at the virtual tour of the hospital. One picture is labeled "nst room", and it has FIVE beds in it! I tried to Google what an nst room is, but to no avail. The only results are non stress tests. Does anyone know what this room is??
Re: Labor and All of it's Glory
I've actually been wet for the last few days and I've been hesitant to go in because I'm assuming it's more of the same. I'm tired of spending hours in L&D triage thinking I'm leaking when I'm not.
I actually went into L&D at 29 weeks due to sudden onset of diarrhea and period like cramps. I honestly thought I caught a bug from eating take out. Turns out I was in labor! Real labor! The period like cramps were changing my cervix.
Everyone is different...
PCOS baby due October 09, 2016
Beta #1: 22.5
Beta #2: 74
With DD, my water broke before I had contractions and they just felt like menstrual cramps.
Me: 28 DH: 27
BFP: 8/20/2018 - EDD 5/4/2019
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
I haven't had my cervix checked either. I figure because I've had no indications of baby being ready to come, it's still too early. (I'm 34+4)
BFP: 8/20/2018 - EDD 5/4/2019
I will say, though, for me thy weren't as bad as I was expecting. I started with early labor around 4 p.m., and they didn't get bad enough that I had to concentrate through each one until 11 p.m. Once that happened, I labored at home until 8:30 a.m. the next day. I even let DH sleep from 11-4:30 or so that night.
So, don't despair! You never know how your labor will go.
I am having a lot of BH right now and some are really uncomfortable but until I get the "oh what the hell did I get myself into" kind of pain then I am not too worried.
TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year.
BFP 02-15-16 with our first
IT'S A BOY!!!
How do they know to check your fluid if you don't get any US done after the AS?
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
And the question about what contractions feel like: imagine one of those grandiose wrestling belts (WWE style) around you, centered at about your belly button. Then imagine cinching it tight for 15-30 seconds then let go. As time goes on, the cinching gets tighter and holds for longer.
@annabenanna @krzyriver That "time to go" moment is the thing that stresses me out the most, tbh. I don't like the surprise of it all, never knowing when it will be. That's really the main reason I'm okay if they decide I need a scheduled C. I'd like to have an end date in mind to close up shop at work.
I did however have my first painful contractions tonight. No idea what that means, lol.