contractions-38 weeks

jusdawn

What do false labor contractions feel like and how long do they hang around.  I have been having tightening and "catch my breath" feelings for like an hour now.  They arent really painful and arent getting stronger but they wont go away.....is this normal?

Jhawks482

At 38 weeks if you can time them (every five min) for an hour, I'd head to L&D! BH I believe are more sporadic, and aren't timeable. GL!?

soccerwife

My belly has been tightening all weekend (and still is). I can still function - talk, breathe, walk. They are uncomfortable, but definitely not painful like the real thing.?

You'll know when they are real.?

tiff-n-nick

I was contractingi every 5 minutes, I went to l&d, and some were painful that made me hold my breath - they said they werent making me dilate, and dc'd me the next day after they gave me terb to make them stop. So, I am guessing I will know when the real deal is - I'm not going back unless I am unable to walk or talk because they hurt so bad, or I start spotting.

lily225

I think false labor, in general, just means that the contractions eventually fade or don't provide any progression. I don't think they "feel" any differently than normal ones though. There's just a general difference between real contractions and BH (BH are just a tightening, usually not painful, just uncomfortable).

I've been having contractions for almost 2 weeks now, pretty much every day. I've had 3 days where they've lasted all day long, but haven't gotten any harder in intensity or anything, so I know not to worry about them (doesn't make it not frustrating though!). 

Just pay attention to the time of them and the intensity. If nothing changes then I wouldn't worry about it. 

Kentuckychick_8201

My doctor told me today that they only count if they are painful, and coming 5-7 minutes apart for an hour or more.  She said just the tightening doesn't count.