Another question - How did you know you were in labor?

CaliCarly77 · December 2013

I know I am peppering the board with questions - can you tell I am in the home stretch? 36 w 3 d for those on mobile

Anyhow, my Dr. refuses to schedule a c-section because he says the babies will come before the date (39 weeks) anyway. They are both breech, with baby A's butt blocking the exit, so no chance of vaginal. He told me to ignore the braxton hicks, which I have a few of in clusters about twice a day, but nothing strong, painful, or consistent. I know most women's water doesn't break, so my question is:

How did you know it was time to call the Dr., get your bag together and get yourself to the hospital? Or did you have a scheduled c-section?

sasky · December 2013

I can only speak from experience with my singleton, so other MoMs feel free to chime in with anything different.

My water did not break, I did not lose my mucus plug, or go #2 (a lot of times your system will clear itself out). I was having small irregular contractions for days so it was hard to tell what was "real" or not. When I realized they were getting closer together, not necessarily more intense, I started timing them. When the intensity increased to the point where I had to brace myself against the couch or the wall is when I went to the hospital.

Like I said, maybe it's different with multiples. But there was no major sign that told me this was it. It was really just listening to my body and checking in with my doctor by phone.

jennybean80 · December 2013

I'm a L&D nurse and for most FTMs we suggest waiting until you are having regular painful contraction every 5 minutes for at least an hour. They should increase in intensity and not get 'better' by resting.

Also go in if your water break, babies are moving less than normal, or you have bright bleeding like a period (pinkish discharge or slight spotting is normal and not a concern)

pinkmickey24 · December 2013

For me personally, my water broke. I started having braxton hicks around 34 weeks. I end up in labor and delivery exactly one week before my water broke to be checked due to contractions. However I was sent home because they weren't changing my cervix and weren't consistent enough.
The day before my water broke I started having an achey lower back which turned into a tight and hurting back that did not let me sleep. It did not get any better and I called my OB at lunch time and the nurse told me to hang tight until Friday when I was scheduled for induction or to call back if I had regular contractions, increased discharge, or if my water broke. Five hours later my water broke.
I am pretty sure I was experiencing back labor the day before because it got more painful after my water broke. I'm sure C being sunny side up played a part in the back labor.

eandk18 · December 2013

I'm probably not of help because I was induced due to pre-eclampsia at 38 weeks. For about 2 weeks prior to that I would get these insane cramps that felt like my vag was going to fall out. It would only happen 1-2x a day but it would last about 5 minutes. When I was induced I was about 2 cm dialated. I honestly had more braxton hicks in my 2nd trimester than my 3rd trimester.

carrotcake06 · December 2013

W both my singleton and the twins my water broke. There were no signs of labor w my singleton and my water just leaked slowly. Contrax ramped up from 45 min apart to 5 min apart over the course of 6-7 hrs.

W the twins, I was having real contrax for about a week prior. They were sporadic and I was having twice weekly NSTs at that point. My MP was slowly lost over 4-5days and then when my water broke, it gushed.

The babies were born just over an hour later via c/s - baby a was breech and his cord prolapsed, so delivery needed to be immediate.

LegallyBlonde217 · December 2013

Well, I was already on hospital bed rest due to a leak in Baby A's water so all I had to do was push the call button to my nurse. BUT, I knew I was going into labor because my water fully broke. They put me on the monitors and I was having minor contractions every 10 - 12 minutes. So I just hung out in my room waiting. About 8 hours later I started having stronger contractions that were closer together. I called my nurse again and the monitors showed contractions every 5 minutes. Within an hour they were unbearable and I was being rushed down to L&D.

TheDairyQueenx3 · December 2013

For me I dont feel contractions ... Well I do but they don't hurt it just felt like a slight pressure. For my singleton I had a OB appointment that day and I was 4 cm that night I got nauseated and had loose stool. I knew something was just different so I went in just incase and when I got there I was 9 cm and he was at a -2 no time for a dr and the nurse caught him. A dr from the ER came up to help but got there after the fact ( it was a Sunday and a blizzard) my OB didn't make it but the on call one got there a little after to check things over. My twins I would have most def delivered at home if I wasn't on hospital bed rest. I was in labor and had no clue even with the pitocin I felt no contractions just a very mild pressure. I was induced because of IUGR but for me it's very very sublet changes that I know to look for to tell me I'm in full blown active labor and will probably be holding babies in less than an hour haha. I can feel the slight pressure like someone is hugging my hips, easier to breath suddenly, and I can feel their head when I sit (usually about 30 mins after the pressure starts) and hot flashes I get hot flashes oh and my first was born in his bag of waters it never ruptured and the twins the broke it for me when they saw A descending and sac still intact. Everyone is so different though but that's how I know

jocie2581 · December 2013

I was still spotting 36+ hours after my last internal cervix check. So I went to L&D. While there my water broke.

hayleydeee · December 2013

I went into labor twice with my twins. The first time was at 32 weeks and they managed to stop it. I had no idea I was in labor. I just happened to be at the OB for my regular checks and they told me I needed to go across the street and check into the hospital immediately.

The second time my water broke (at 36 weeks). Within about 10 minutes it was very obvious that I was in labor. I had strong regular contractions that hurt. My baby A was breech and in a similar position to yours.

With my singleton my water broke at 38 weeks, and I started having regular uncomfortable contractions about 2 hours later.

whitehousem · December 2013

mellissalynay90 said:
For me I dont feel contractions ... Well I do but they don't hurt it just felt like a slight pressure. For my singleton I had a OB appointment that day and I was 4 cm that night I got nauseated and had loose stool. I knew something was just different so I went in just incase and when I got there I was 9 cm and he was at a -2 no time for a dr and the nurse caught him. A dr from the ER came up to help but got there after the fact ( it was a Sunday and a blizzard) my OB didn't make it but the on call one got there a little after to check things over. My twins I would have most def delivered at home if I wasn't on hospital bed rest. I was in labor and had no clue even with the pitocin I felt no contractions just a very mild pressure. I was induced because of IUGR but for me it's very very sublet changes that I know to look for to tell me I'm in full blown active labor and will probably be holding babies in less than an hour haha. I can feel the slight pressure like someone is hugging my hips, easier to breath suddenly, and I can feel their head when I sit (usually about 30 mins after the pressure starts) and hot flashes I get hot flashes oh and my first was born in his bag of waters it never ruptured and the twins the broke it for me when they saw A descending and sac still intact. Everyone is so different though but that's how I know

Ummmm.... I envy you! My contractions felt like someone was shredding my insides with a knife. I literally thought I was going to lose consciousness. But only after my water broke. I didn't really notice the ones before that. I actually went in for an induction, and when I got there I was having regular contractions without really knowing it. But that day I kept stopping in the middle of doing something and saying "was that something?" I think labor is different for everyone. Just try to listen to your body for anything "different". I am def concerned about noticing those early labor signs this time as well!

CaliCarly77 · December 2013

Thanks everyone!! I have an OB appt today and NST, so perhaps I will learn something at either one of those...but so far no signs at all of anything happening, and the BHs have pretty much stopped completely.

Sashinha · December 2013

Hi Cali, we have exactly the same due date and I can't wait to have these babies. I've been having very strong BH's and my blood pressure has been high for the last week (no pre eclampsia). I'm seeing my OB today and I hope we will set a date to induce me. I've been extremely tired and worried about the BP....I hope everything goes well for you!!!

LegalLadyBug · December 2013

With my DD my water broke. I was in the hospital less than 12 hours before for a check due to low amniotic fluid and the OB told me I would need to be induced and we'd discuss it the next week. I wasn't dilated at all at 39w6d. Well low and behold DD decided she wanted to come out. I never had contractions and had to be put on pitocin. I understand multiples are different but try to trust your OB and don't be afraid to call if you aren't sure.

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