@SpaceBurger Sounds like it's a room where they perform non-stress tests. I have them done at my OBs office, but some practices send you to the hospital for them.
I actually had no idea I was having contractions or that my water broke. We went to the hospital but thought they were going to laugh at me but ended up being 9cm. I was 36+2 at the time and thought I was having dropping pains
With DS I had back labor, which is a whole different thing again. Fortunately during later labor he turned (was sunny side up before that, which causes back labor). But my circumstances were weird too because vomiting put me into labor. At any rate- back labor is just....back pain really. Awful terrible back pain. I even packed a tennis ball (apparently it's supposed to help if you lie on it) but it was so painful that I didn't even bother...fentanyl barely helped.
@waterfall213 Doesn't it seem weird to have a room with 5 beds in it? Dedicated to non-stress tests?
Maybe not if it's a large hospital. I'm sure they are separated by curtains at a minimum. It may also be beneficial if local clinics don't perform NSTs and the community relies on the hospital for them.
+1 For cervical checks being painful. I was really surprised with DS that they caused me pain because I don't blink an eye during paps or sex or anything.
I actually had no idea I was having contractions or that my water broke. We went to the hospital but thought they were going to laugh at me but ended up being 9cm. I was 36+2 at the time and thought I was having dropping pains
I also was in labor with my first and didn't know it. The monitor picked up all my contractions and it didn't seem like much different than how I felt after a long walk. But yup 4cm, 80% effaced, water broke and was having good strong contractions 3-5 minutes apart and had no idea.
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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.
Ha! I could of written this reply. It's true. Although, it's fascinating to me that there's some ladies walking around like usual at 7-9cm no biggie. And others that have terrible hard consistent contractions at 2-3cm. It's totally different for everyone. I remember being so concerned with HOW DO YOU KNOWW?!!! My advice is always to try to rest in early labor if you can, because it can take forever. And if you can't sleep threw the contractions, that's labor.
But I'm just trusting myself this time, I know when it comes to not wanting to leave the floor, listen to people talk, and don't flipping touch me anywhere.... thats active labor. I was totally the type that was ignored contractions until 6cm despite them coming every 10-15 mins. Cooked, hung out at a family BBQ, blah blah.
I know this is probably an unpopular opinion but I don't get timing contractions? My Midwife and husband agree that it'll be based off of my behavior more then anything. Emotional sign posts.
I've always had terrible period cramps in my thighs so I'm quite worried that is where my labor pain will be as well. Ugh.
Though I totally feel like one of those "HOW DO YOU KNOW?" people. A friend of a friend is 41 weeks and they thought she was going into labor this past weekend but it turned out to be false. I'm really hoping to be able to delay going to the hospital as long as possible because I know things will be much more rigid there.
@vcabbyw I'm guessing timing contractions has to do with doctors believing it is (relatively speaking) an objective indicator of stage of labor? Sort of like, they don't tell us to come to the hospital when your pain level is past a 5/10, because everyone's tolerance and experience of pain is different. But if you know for yourself you act ___ way at ___ point during labor and they expect you'll have the same labor experience/signs then that's why they're going with that for you? Just a guess though since this is my first rodeo.
In terms of the "you'll definitely know" vs "I didn't know" people.....if you didn't know, since you eventually found out you were in labor or you'd been having real contractions (and bc we're not talking about babies popping out at home on the toilet ), I'm guessing there was something that prompted you to go in and get checked?
I feel like I will be one of those people who goes into labor without realizing it. I'm extremely stubborn when it comes to pain and have a high pain tolerance so I'm hoping I'll realize whats going on and be smart about it instead of rationalizing the pain or discomfort away.
I'm loving this thread because last time I had pre-e at 34 weeks and DD
was an early c-section, so I have no idea what my mucus plug looks like,
or what water breaking feels like, or any idea about contractions and
pushing. I spent 1 1/2 with my doula this past weekend talking about all
of this with her, and it was great to get some ideas about it. (Side
Note: Is there a doula thread around that I might have missed that
someone can direct me to? I have a question about them.)
My doula said the bag of waters works as a sort of barrier for pain during contractions, and once that water is gone/your water breaks, you start to feel EVERYTHING. So she basically said to hope your water breaks well into labor so you continue to have that pain guard. She also recommended to labor as much as I can at home, since once we get to the hospital a lot of control falls out of my hands. Of course, if you have underlying issues (combating preterm labor, pre-e, etc...) make sure to follow the advice of your medical team. She was strictly speaking of "standard labor".
Countdown to Baby H! Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
Who is Ally's labor buddy? Wondering if you've heard from her.
I realized yesterday morning that we hadn't exchanged contact info yet so I inboxed her first thing, but haven't heard anything yet. I logged on this morning hoping she would be here! Starting to get a bit worried
Another example of my experience with labor vs not labor...... By the time I got to the hospital and taken up to L&D all I could do was breath through contractions and hold on for dear life.
I remember being in the elevator with this other woman who thought she was in labor(wasn't) and she talked non stop the whole time. "Ooooo like I think that kinda hurt". "Does it look like my bump is getting tighter? I think it does" I remember thinking that if she was in labor and I was not that I was freakin dying.
To add to what @klv said: I do remember the nurses at L&D telling me to be the one to call if I'm having contractions and unsure if I should come in. The difficulty (or ease) with which you can talk through your contractions is a good indicator of whether or not you're in active labor.
@AllyTheKid sending positive vibes your way and hoping all is going well for you!!
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!!!
@krzyriver I didn't want to go for the same reason! Today though, my swelling is horrible and my back pain is more than I've ever felt before! I'm secretly praying its labor since I'm almost at 37 weeks which is technically full term anyways!
Can everyone just start having babies already? The only thing going to get me through the remaining weeks of my pregnancy is seeing the ends of all of yours! One more week of taking it easy for me, then I'm running laps around my neighborhood.
In terms of the "you'll definitely know" vs "I didn't know" people.....if you didn't know, since you eventually found out you were in labor or you'd been having real contractions (and bc we're not talking about babies popping out at home on the toilet ), I'm guessing there was something that prompted you to go in and get checked?
I had no idea until my water broke out of nowhere. It was a huge gush all of a sudden, and just kept coming! We went to the hospital right away, and they could tell I was having active contractions even though I couldn't feel them yet. We had a baby about 14 hours later
Re: Labor and All of it's Glory
Maybe not if it's a large hospital. I'm sure they are separated by curtains at a minimum. It may also be beneficial if local clinics don't perform NSTs and the community relies on the hospital for them.
+1 For cervical checks being painful. I was really surprised with DS that they caused me pain because I don't blink an eye during paps or sex or anything.
But I'm just trusting myself this time, I know when it comes to not wanting to leave the floor, listen to people talk, and don't flipping touch me anywhere.... thats active labor. I was totally the type that was ignored contractions until 6cm despite them coming every 10-15 mins. Cooked, hung out at a family BBQ, blah blah.
I know this is probably an unpopular opinion but I don't get timing contractions? My Midwife and husband agree that it'll be based off of my behavior more then anything. Emotional sign posts.
Ugh.
Though I totally feel like one of those "HOW DO YOU KNOW?" people. A friend of a friend is 41 weeks and they thought she was going into labor this past weekend but it turned out to be false. I'm really hoping to be able to delay going to the hospital as long as possible because I know things will be much more rigid there.
In terms of the "you'll definitely know" vs "I didn't know" people.....if you didn't know, since you eventually found out you were in labor or you'd been having real contractions (and bc we're not talking about babies popping out at home on the toilet
Great thread @sjo_thetwins!
I feel like I will be one of those people who goes into labor without realizing it. I'm extremely stubborn when it comes to pain and have a high pain tolerance so I'm hoping I'll realize whats going on and be smart about it instead of rationalizing the pain or discomfort away.
I can't believe we are all getting so close!!
My doula said the bag of waters works as a sort of barrier for pain during contractions, and once that water is gone/your water breaks, you start to feel EVERYTHING. So she basically said to hope your water breaks well into labor so you continue to have that pain guard. She also recommended to labor as much as I can at home, since once we get to the hospital a lot of control falls out of my hands. Of course, if you have underlying issues (combating preterm labor, pre-e, etc...) make sure to follow the advice of your medical team. She was strictly speaking of "standard labor".
Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
Team Blue!
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Sending you good vibes @AllyTheKid
PCOS baby due October 09, 2016
Beta #1: 22.5
Beta #2: 74
I remember being in the elevator with this other woman who thought she was in labor(wasn't) and she talked non stop the whole time. "Ooooo like I think that kinda hurt". "Does it look like my bump is getting tighter? I think it does" I remember thinking that if she was in labor and I was not that I was freakin dying.
Me: 28 DH: 27
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!!!
@krzyriver that's how my friend figured out her contractions, she couldn't talk through them.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Me: 28 DH: 27
Me: 28 DH: 27
Me: 28 DH: 27