Question about early back labor & early contractions in general

Codi-Bailey

Has anyone here had this?

For the last hour or so, my left side of my lower back has been aching. It's gotten worse over the last hour. It started off really dull and now it's getting stronger. I don't think I've tweaked my back. I've just been sitting here. Oh, and it's only my left side.

Also, I have had BHs since about 16 weeks. I am so used to them, I just brush them off. They were almost always my entire belly, the tightest at the top. However, over the last two days, they have moved to being a lot lower and stronger. They pretty much start off and stay bellow my belly button. Is this a real contraction? They don't "hurt", but they are a lot stronger and have more pressure than the BHs I've had since 16 weeks.

This isn't an "OMG, am I in labor!!??!??!" post, I'm just curious what the start of real contractions feel like.

little nudger

I wonder the exact same things! I'm so worried I won't know it's a real contraction! Everyone says "oh you will know!!"

 

ebaier

It could be the start of labor or just your body "practicing" or getting ready.  My contractions definitely start in my back and move around to the front (fairly low).  The pain also shoots down my legs, but everyone is different.  Once labor officially starts, your contractions will be pretty much organized and consistent, but back pain has always been a part of my contractions.  Others may have a different experience.

Codi-Bailey

little nudger:

I wonder the exact same things! I'm so worried I won't know it's a real contraction! Everyone says "oh you will know!!"

I know "I'll know" when it's a real contraction, I just want to know if this sounds like the beginning of real contractions, if that makes any sense at all. I know they build on each other; I just don't know what they start out like.

caja04

A few days ago I was having lower back pain with consistent BH, too (every 5 minutes for about 24 hours).  The contractions were getting stronger and feeling kind of like bad period cramps.  I called my midwife and she said it sounded like prodromal labor... probably the beginning of the real thing, could last a few hours up to a couple of days, and then active labor would probably begin (seeing that I am at 38 weeks).

But what do you know, after 24 hours it all went away again.  I think it's really hard to do anything but wait and see!  Sometimes those times of contractions will gradually get stronger and stronger until they are quite painful and hard to breathe through, and you'll have no doubt that it's the real thing.  And sometimes... they subside and go away to come back in a week or two. 

hisaak

ebaier:

It could be the start of labor or just your body "practicing" or getting ready.  My contractions definitely start in my back and move around to the front (fairly low).  The pain also shoots down my legs, but everyone is different.  Once labor officially starts, your contractions will be pretty much organized and consistent, but back pain has always been a part of my contractions.  Others may have a different experience.

This is me as well.  Just last night I had about 5 hours of fairly intense contractions and back pain ... stopped shortly after midnight.

In answer to your question though, I would say it is probably early labour ... it just might continue yet for quite some time and still be on and off!  How's that for a non-commital answer??

kenandlaura06

I have been contracting like this every 10 minutes for the past 24 hours.  It feels exactly like it did in my early labor with DS.  However, at the doctor's office this morning, my cervix is thin but still 100% closed, so now I'm sulking that all this discomfort may be for nothing.  Hopefully something will happen within the next week or so.

valzee

Mine are working the same way yours are - they're getting lower and stronger, right in the front of my tummy. They aren't really timeable though and they seem to last a LONG time...is this your experience? I get one every single time I stand up, roll over in bed or otherwise move a muscle, it seems.

For now sitting down seems to make them subside, but they start when I'm sitting, too.

And for the record, they suck big time. 

Codi-Bailey

valzee:

Mine are working the same way yours are - they're getting lower and stronger, right in the front of my tummy. They aren't really timeable though and they seem to last a LONG time...is this your experience? I get one every single time I stand up, roll over in bed or otherwise move a muscle, it seems.

For now sitting down seems to make them subside, but they start when I'm sitting, too.

And for the record, they suck big time. 

Sometimes mine are timeable, and sometimes they aren't. They're not right in front, but more under my belly. Who knows!