So this may be an irrational fear

Anna&Matt

but now I worry that I wont' realize if I get productive cramping/contractions and will think they're just these same harmless ones, especially given that I've had some bleeding with them. Is that ridiculous?

weelass24

No, I think that is totally rational.

buckin

No. It's not but when its TIME they won't worry you and you will time them and be excited.

and thinking about this stuff is not part of relaxing! Go RELAX DAMMIT.

sweetpea7628

I had BHs from 20 weeks on and I always worried that I wouldn't know when I went into real labor.  Turns out my labor contractions were unmistakable!!!!! 

But it's totally normal to feel that way.

armandos_girl

I was worried about the same thing, but I can honestly tell you that the real contractions are like night and day compared to the BH.  BH was a vague tightening, real contractions were like getting kicked in the stomach, having the wind knocked out of you and having AF cramps all at the same time.

Anna&Matt

armandos_girl:

real contractions were like getting kicked in the stomach, having the wind knocked out of you and having AF cramps all at the same time.

Thanks armandos, that makes me feel a lot better! I had some painful BHs last night but they were definitely not that bad. I asked the doc how to tell the difference and basically got a "if you're wondering just come and we'll check you again" response - and obviously I'm not going in there every day for the next 3 months.

sweetpea7628

Anna&Matt:

armandos_girl:

real contractions were like getting kicked in the stomach, having the wind knocked out of you and having AF cramps all at the same time.

Thanks armandos, that makes me feel a lot better! I had some painful BHs last night but they were definitely not that bad. I asked the doc how to tell the difference and basically got a "if you're wondering just come and we'll check you again" response - and obviously I'm not going in there every day for the next 3 months.

Labor contractions feel like hell!!!!!  You will know.  Trust me.  lol 

armandos_girl

Anna&Matt:

Thanks armandos, that makes me feel a lot better!

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you!  I just remember having a moment of clarity during of "Oh!  THAT'S the the difference!" after several weeks of semi-regular BH and wondering "Is this it?".

Also, I now hate menstrual cramps because they give me flashbacks of contractions.  I never really minded them before.

Mrs.C042807

There really is no mistaking real contractions.  But if you've never felt them, I see why you might feel you might not be able to tell.

But you will.  They are unmistakable.