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September 2015 Moms
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STMs: Call SO to jump on plane or not?

TigerElbeTigerElbe member
in September 2015 Moms
How can I tell if I am truly in labor??? I am 38 + 4 and unsure if I have started the early process of labor.  

My EDD is Sept 6, and my SO (who lives in Austria) is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, but will jump on the next flight here if I tell him to. He is working on important business that only he can supervise at his construction site, and I am hesitant to make him leave that for a false alarm.  He says none of this is as important as getting there for me - and I am really feeling the pressure of making this decision!!!

So today I had a NST at my OBGYN, and all looks great with baby's responsiveness and heartbeat.  The doctor did say that they had picked up some "mild uterine activity" - I had felt nothing at the time.  Now, I am feeling something: minor period-like cramps, or gas pains, or constipation pains - and yes, I am constipated, and could absolutely be having gas.  Or it could all be in my head - psyching myself out.

I have a high pain tolerance, and don't notice enough discofort to discern a pattern, but I am very afraid that I will make the wrong call, and then he'll arrive too late because I could not recognize early labor!

I am all upset - any thoughts?  Help!!!
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Re: STMs: Call SO to jump on plane or not?

  • runner636runner636 member
    Nope, don't have him rush back yet. Every pregnant woman has mild uterine activity for weeks leading up to labor. Minor cramping is also normal.
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  • WDDCHWDDCH member
    You may be psyching yourself out. It's probably super stressful to be in this position, wondering and waiting! I empathize greatly. But I would wait for something more substantial than mild cramps.
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  • kanga915kanga915 member
    We have no way of knowing the pattern your labor will take it when it will start. I totally understand you feeling anxious about him not being in the country but that's just your situation. Your water could break tonight and your labor could be so quick he will miss it. Or, you can go past your due date. All you can do is contact him when you know for sure its active labor and from what you describe, that doesn't sound like that's the case yet.
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  • TigerElbeTigerElbe member
    Oh, thank you all - I have been agonizing a bit, and needed wisdom!  I will hold off and try to just observe!

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  • rebeccabloomwoodrebeccabloomwood member
    Best of luck! What a tough call to have to make. Did you tell your doctor your predicament? They might have insight as to when to call.
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  • cathiehcathieh member
    Not sure how long it will take him to get there but with my second my husband worked away from home. I called him at 2am when I thought my water broke. I got a neighbor to drive me to the hospital where they verified it did break and I was 5cm. I wasn't having any contractions just back pain. He left right away and got there at like 7am and my son wasn't born until about 12:30. Not sure if that helps at all. I would talk to your dr about the situation. For me my midwife didn't check me at all so she wouldn't "stir the pot" and get labor going too soon.
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  • ktbkittenktbkitten member
    I had false labor for 3 days before having my son, but everyone is different. I would contract and they would become regular and just when I was thinking I should call the doctor, they would stop.  :-w

    I can't imagine what it's like trying to determine if he should leave early or not. How long until he gets there now? Next Wednesday?
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  • TigerElbeTigerElbe member
    edited August 2015
    @ktbkitten Yes, this coming Wednesday (Sept 2) was the plan, although we spoke, and he said that he will now come latest on Monday, which feels better.  If I develop a true pattern of contractions before then, he wants to get on the next flight.  Right now, I have had an uninterrupted menstrual cramps feeling - no waves or time in between, so it does not seem to be real contractions.  Also, it would take him 15 hours minimum to get here once I pull the trigger, if flights were going at that time of day.
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  • jkjddjkjdd member
    I've had uninterrupted menstral cramp feelings off and on for almost 3 weeks. Sometimes they last more than 24 hours. This is my second pregnancy and real labor was a lot more intense. You will know true contractions when you feel them.
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  • TigerElbeTigerElbe member
    @jkjdd thanks - this is good to hear!
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  • sarahjensen33sarahjensen33 member
    I feel your anxiety. My husband won't be home until I'm almost 39 weeks (2 weeks from today). He works away from home on the north slope of Alaska so he is a whole day of travel away, if there are flights when I call. It is so nerve racking! I'm scheduled for a c section on the 15th but at my 37 week check up today my doctor said she could come at any time!
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  • daniklakedaniklake member
    jkjdd said:

    I've had uninterrupted menstral cramp feelings off and on for almost 3 weeks. Sometimes they last more than 24 hours. This is my second pregnancy and real labor was a lot more intense. You will know true contractions when you feel them.

    Sorry to side track, but what are those cramps?! I've been getting them the last couple of days too off and on but each one lasts like 20minutes.
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