STM advice- contractions UPDATE

khammond3 · April 2014

Since I haven't done this before I'm a little confused as to what I should be feeling. I got my membranes sweeped yesterday and for the past 12 hours have had the worst menstral like cramps of my life. Can contractions feel like terrible sharp menstral cramps? I did try timing them a couple times during the night and were about 9 min apart coming in intense waves. My doctor said to call when contractions are 5 min apart so not there yet, and who knows maybe those cramps aren't even contractions!?

* I have been having the same intense contractions all day. They got to be 3 min apart and stayed that way for a good 3 hours and still going. Finally went in to labor and delivery. They monitored me and was in fact contracting and was at 3 cm and 90% effaced now. They ended up sending me home..... REALLY!? Contractions 3 min apart that I can barely even walk or talk through and I get sent home. So discouraged. What will it feel like when they actually admit me? Not to mention every time I have contractions now I have terrible back labor and feel like a bowling ball is trying to be pushed out my ass. Sorry TMI but really.

nikki912 · April 2014

Sounds like they could be contractions but its hard to know without monitoring. Try different methods that help relax your uterus (bath, water, laying on left side) I they are real then they won't go away and you'll know to start thinking about calling your doctor. They will probably tell you to come in with the 5-1-1 rule.

scarles · April 2014

I'm a FTM - What you describe is exactly what I am expecting contractions to feel like... strong menstrual cramps.

amhah09 · April 2014

Mine are quite a bit different than that buy that doesn't mean yours are. Cramping is expected after a membrane sweep but if they're timeable they could be contractions. I suggest waiting until 5 min apart to call if that's what your doctor said.

NicoleAnne416 · April 2014

Usually (but not always) will start as a dull ache in the back, wrap around to the lower belly, and have a tight hard belly as the pain intensifies, then releases after 30-60 seconds or so. Real contractions are said to involve the back!

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

My contractions felt just like my BH just got progressively stronger. A gift and a curse I guess. Yours may feel like cramps. Or it could be cervical cramps because you doc put his fingers in there.

haziedaze · April 2014

Definitely can be. Can you put your hands on the top of your uterus to see if it gets hard at the same time? If so, then definitely contractions and it's a matter of seeing if they get more intense and closer together with time. Good luck!

BuggasMom · April 2014

My contractions start in the back dull pain And wraps to the front and roll down my stomach and tighten my entire stomach and end in a tight intense pain in my uterus that takes my breath away. This lasts around 45-60 seconds and then the stomach relaxes back to normal.

I can literally see my stomach tightening and relaxing .

Good luck

Smores730 · April 2014

My contractions have always felt like menstral cramps. I didn't feel things in my back until I was further along in my labor and several cm. dilated.

khammond3 · April 2014

Thanks ladies for your help!!!! Turns out they are contractions

nikki912 · April 2014

are they consistently three minutes apart? i do find it a little strange they sent you home if you have consistently had contractions three minutes apart for more than an hour and are lasting a minute. Try sitting on a birthing ball to relieve that bowling ball feeling and have your birth partner provide back support during contractions. Did they tell you when you should come back in?

khammond3 · April 2014

nikki912 said:
are they consistently three minutes apart? i do find it a little strange they sent you home if you have consistently had contractions three minutes apart for more than an hour and are lasting a minute. Try sitting on a birthing ball to relieve that bowling ball feeling and have your birth partner provide back support during contractions. Did they tell you when you should come back in?

I was shocked bc I was told to come in when contractions were 5 min apart. Yes they were consistent for 3 hours. They are still going strong too. And I thought 3 cm and intense contractions would be enough to admit me. I'm really discouraged. They told me to come back in if contractions got stronger or my water breaks. But I already can't walk through them so not sure how they are supposed to get stronger? That's the thing with doctors on a military base, your just another person to them

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

Most L&D will not admit until 4 cm or ROM. That said my neighbor showed up at 2cm with strong contractions on the monitor. They told her to talk a walk around the unit. She got back to OB triage said I can't walk anymore. They checked her again she was 9cm and pushed her daughter out 10 min later. A whole 2 hour labour in a FTM. Yes I was totally jealous.

CalinAZ · April 2014

FTM, but I've heard that being on your hands and knees and doing the "cat/cow" yoga move can help if you're having back labor.

Hope you keep progressing and can be taken soon!

*sparky* · April 2014

No wonder you are frustrated! When I had DS I was having regular contractions but was only 3 cm. they had us walk the hospital for an hour and come back and I was at 5 cm so they admitted me and I had DS within a few hours. Hope your contractions stay consistent and you have your LO soon. good luck!!!!