- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
February 2012 Moms
mintea
member
Am I in early labor? I wish I could just pee on a stick that would tell me.
mintea
member
I realize that panicked "am I in labor" posts are rarely appreciated on TB, I know you can't tell if I am in labor online, but I just need to talk this out with my online friends!! I hope you don't mind!
I posted earlier today on 3rd tri about having really long Braxton Hicks today. I even called the OB about them this morning because they were just so long lasting and the office wasn't concerned and said call back if I see any bloody show or anything.
Well, I've been sitting here at work all day with progressively worsening cramps in my back that feel exactly like menstrual cramps combined with a tight abdomen. They were barely noticible this morning but now I would describe them as somewhat painful... like if they were actual menstrual cramps I would definitely take some midol for them. I have had very mild menstrual cramp feelings on and off for a couple of weeks but this is much stronger and more constant.
The thing I still don't understand, despite all my birth classes and reading and talking to the OB, is what does it mean / what do you do when it's not timeable? It is just pretty constant and not peaking or ebbing so there is nothing to time. I tried to use my contraction counter and I hit start but never hit stop. FWIW I am not constipated and have been chugging water so I don't think I am dehydrated.
She said call back if there is bloody show-- is it possible to go into labor without having any bloody show until later on in the game?
DD #1: 2012; MMC: 2014; DD #2: 2015; It's a boy! 3/31/2018
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Am I in early labor? I wish I could just pee on a stick that would tell me.
I feel ya. I've had three episodes of these; one lasting for a full 8 hours. I started timing the peaks and ebbs and tightening, cause you're right, it's a constant pain. I really don't know what to tell you; at this point I'm so sick of the fake ones that until my water breaks or he's practically crowning, I won't believe I'm in labor.The ladies here on the board mentioned the 4-1-1 rule. Contractions every 4 mins, lasting 1 minute for 1 hour total - go in to L&D
Short story; dunno what to say, trust your gut, and GL!
I say call back if you need to, but unless you are one of the lucky ones who doesn't get the real, heavy duty contractions, you just might not be there yet. My OB said that I would know as soon as it was hard to walk or talk through a contraction and that they would be timeable. You could be in early labor, but not ready for the hospital yet.
On the flip side of this, if you feel like something is wrong, definitely call. And if you don't feel like you are being listened to, go to the hospital. It is better to be proven wrong and to have your mind put at ease than to brush something off or not wanting to feel foolish or whatever.
FACEBOOK FEB 12 BUMPIES ADMIN - POST & PM ME TO JOIN
I don't really know what calling would do. You're full term...so I'd wait until they become too painful to talk through and are timeable and within 5 minutes of each other and head in to L&D.....That's really all you can do.
If you call in, they'll probably tell you the same thing...or to head to L&D to be monitored. If I were you, I would NOT want to be at the hospital for a long time...so I'd just wait and labor at home until they become unbearable. Plus, if it isn't the real deal, that's just another hospital copay you'll end up paying to be checked.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Agree with all of this. I would wait it out. The contractions may fizzle out or they may get worse. But right now, it doesn't sound like you are at the point where being in the hospital could do you any good. Sorry, I know that's probably not what you want to hear though....
This! there is a very real ebb and flow to true contractions. my real labor started out as cramping feeling but they came and went and gradually got stronger as the day progressed. I've had menstrual like cramps this pregnancy but they aren't consistant. GL to you!
Very Possible to go into labor without any bloody show, with my daughter I did lose a piece of my mucus plug like a week before going into labor but other than that with both her and my son I never had anything but contractions and got to the hospital and was 5cm dilated with the 1st and like 6 and a half with my 2nd .
I am totally feeling you on the contraction thing , I have had 2 kids and know what contractions feel like and I had a doctors appointment this morning and my doctors office is an hour and a half away along with the hospital ( West Virginia ) on the way I started having crazy horrible contractions and I was like wow I can't believe already but at least we are already on our way there and they got stronger and was timable about 4 mins apart and was lasting for around a minute. Got to the office and they checked and my cervix is still closed no dilation or anything . When I was up walking around they seemed to go away , on the car ride back they came back full force and I have been having them since..its kind of driving me crazy because I feel like I have had 2 kids and my contractions were a lot less then this when I went in and was close to having them , now they are strong but nothing . If you are really worried just go to L&D and get checked even if your not ready or nothing is going on it will at least ease your mind for a while anyways , I think I drove the people in L&D crazy with my 1st kid because I was in and out all the time ...goodluck!