How do you know if you are in labor?

Lissard4

I know this seems like a dumb question, but I've been having cramping and what I think is contractions for like the last couple of days.  This evening they seem like they are closer together, but I'm not sure if I should call the doctor.  They haven't been checking me for dialation because I'm scheduled for a c-section on the 15th.  I'm not really sure what to do.

grace&ricky

I think you're supposed to call your dr. or go to L&D if the contractions are 5 min apart and last about a min.  GL!

dionnemd10

they start in the back, move to the front-hurts to breath and it is a struggle to talk through a real contraction

*Bee*

Time them for a while and then call the doc with the duration and frequency and see what they say.  This is a helpful site for timing them: https://www.contractionmaster.com/

Starlette1983

Have you been drinking a lot of water?  You should try drinking a bunch.  Also, have you changed your activity and seen if they go away?  Like, if you are lying down do they go away when you get up and move around, or if you are moving around do they go away when you lie down?  If they don't go away with a change in activity they are most likely real contrax.  GL!!!

BuddhaKitty

Time the contractions and see if the pattern changes to more frequent/more intense contractions.

labooshki

Everyone just kept telling me that I would just know. And amazingly I did! Most likely you're having braxon hicks, BUT if you can time them straight for more than an hour and they're about 5-7 min apart, call the doc! GL!

Lissard4

Thanks everyone!  I think they're real, they feel so different than the braxton hicks I had before.  I guess we'll wait and see if they get closer together. Maybe our little man will come tonight!

Choco80

I am in the same boat - I have no idea what I've been feeling the past couple of days.  I have periodic awful cramping, but nothing timeable, and I'm not clear that is is contractions, so I'm going to assume for the time being it isnt