- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
VBAC
Kinda weird question...how will I know?
in VBAC
As strange as it sounds I have no clue how I will know I am in labor. With DD, my water broke without me knowing and I felt nothing...no contractions or anything until I was around 8-9 cm (I went to the hospital because something just felt different...I was 5cm when I got there). I ended up having a c/s because DD did not drop and it turns out the cord was wrapped around her. Now with this pregnancy, I have had some very, very mild contractions for about 1 week...nothing painful at all though. At my 38 week apt on Thurs, I was 4, almost 5 cm dilated already and 60% effaced but she hadn't dropped yet. If she had already dropped, they would have broke my water and sent me to the hospital but no such luck. I am trying for a VBAC this time around so they would much rather me go into labor on my own than induce me. I guess I just want to know when I should go to the hospital and how to tell if I'm having a contraction...? Thanks so much!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Kinda weird question...how will I know?
Most people can tell because they are uncomfortable or painful. A very small percentage of women are like you and don't feel anything. A friend of mine has had 4 children and they now have her come in several times a week the last few weeks and then induce her at 39 weeks because she is usually around 6 cm at that time and she never feels contractions prior to pushing. She must have been born to have babies.
Is your doctor concerned that you could go quickly? They might opt to check you more often if they are afraid you aren't feeling the signs of labor. Good luck!
how awesome that your body is doing so much work and you aren't feeling a thing!
even if you feel no sensations from contractions, it still may be possible to observe them. pull up your shirt for a while and look at your belly. generally, the uterus rises slightly in the abdomen with each contraction. additionally, the belly gets tight and hard. observe your belly for any changes in the positioning of your uterus and for tightening/hardening of the skin. if you see this happening in a pattern (every so many minutes), chances are good that you are in labor.
if you aren't feeling anything, you could look for other signs of labor: baby drops (you can notice this b/c you have more room to eat and breathe), birth show (blood and/or mucous discharge), dislodging of the uterine seal, vomitting or diarheea, tightening or pulling sensations that are different than your normal, 39-week pregnant feelings, and finally, use your mommy-sense! sometimes, we just know something is up that day. listen to your body and be open to the messages that you get in return.
why would they want to induce labor by breaking your water if the baby had dropped? is it because they are afraid you wouldn't get to the hospital in time? if there is no medical reason, AROM just puts you on a clock and can hinder your success for a vbac. personally, i wouldn't consent to it unless there was significant fear that i wouldn't get to the hospital in time.