Question for ST+ moms

Brianna0915 · October 2015

I'm a FTM and I'm having complete anxiety about the signs of labor. Am I going to pick up on them right away?? I'm scared that I won't know that I'm in labor! Is this a complete unrealistic feeling??

djdawn29a · October 2015

Well, if ur water breaks then u will know right away, as I did with ds. With dd I started having pains but waited up all night playing Nintendo (I was young then, lol) until they were stronger and closer together. Then woke bf to go to the hospital. Had her 3 hours later..I think u will know. Try to stay calm. It's not unrealistic. I have fears about being so far away from the hospital this time around. And dh working 3rd shift. It's
normal fears.

Monilee1017 · October 2015

I had the same fear. That I would have no clue I was in labor and would end up having the baby at home or in the car. To be honest I still have this fear. My first was induced and my second was a planned c-section where I made it to the day. But I'm sure I'll know if something happens before my c-section date this time, right?

SummerFall03 · October 2015

I have a planned c-section, but I have doubts about making it to the due date. I live about 45 min from my hospital, so I'm terrified I will go into labor by myself with my 3 year old twins while my husband is at work.

I am pretty sure you will know if you are in labor though. I didn't have go into labor with my last pregnancy, but I'm pretty sure I'll notice the signs of it this time.

Mommyduclos · October 2015

You will find very occasional cases where people had pretty mild labors or super crazy fast labors and I think people always freak out that this will be them. But 99.9% chance there will be no doubt in your mind and being your first you will likely have a very long labor with plenty of time. But every pregnancy I had fears for labor. First I was nervous that I wouldn't make it to the hospital because I'd tough it out too long- turned out to be very unrealistic and I took myself to three hospital way too early lol, second I was worried it would move really fast and I'd be alone with my child unable to reach anyone. My second labor was crazy fast and intense, but I still made it with time to spare. This is my third and I'm nervous that my second labor was so intense that I will be waiting for my labor to get bad like the last one and it won't and I won't make it lol, but that probably won't happen either. Lol

ashs88 · October 2015

My water broke before I had any contractions with DS, so that was pretty obvious. I didn't have any real strong contractions until after my epidural so I never really got to feel what it was like so I do fear a little bit that I'll start having contractions and either not realize it or think that they're Braxton Hicks. My other fear is that my water will break while I'm at work (it happened at home last time) and I'll make a huge mess in my desk chair and will have to run out with soaked pants. I guess I'll just try to have a plan in place for any scenarios I can think of and deal with whatever happens!

jeanbug12 · October 2015

I was induced with my first. With my second, contractions started around 3 AM and I woke up thinking I had to go to the bathroom. I kept going back and forth to the toilet with no luck. It took me about 30 minutes to realize the cramping was contractions, my labor was pretty quick but we made it to the hospital in plenty of time.

PedsIsHardcore · October 2015

When in doubt, go get checked out. It never hurts to go get checked out but usually you know something has changed. I'm going to be induced and I never felt any contractions even before my epidural so who knows with this kiddo what will happen.

Unknown · October 2015

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mamakculb · October 2015

I was induced with cervadil and about two hours later I had thought I was having weird cramps/pains. Turned out to be contractions 2 minutes apart! I'm a little curious as to what it'll be like if I begin labor "naturally" this time. I never really had Bh with my first either so I feel like I don't know what early labor feels like.

MeghaJake · October 2015

Like other people have mentioned, there are cases when a woman was in labor and didn't know. I totally knew both times. The first time my water broke before I had significant contractions. It was actually just a small leak but I still knew. The second time I had a traditional labor with increasingly painful contractions. It was textbook. I was not able to talk through the contractions and they were getting closer together. Those contractions did not compare to the little ones I had been having.

MeghaJake · October 2015

Also should note - With my first I was hospitalized for pre-term contractions at 31 weeks after I fell. I was hooked up to a monitor that showed frequent contractions, but I could not feel them. I didn't get released until they stopped. My water didn't break until I was 39 weeks.

jordans_wife · October 2015

The chances you won't know are very slim. Labor hurts like a mother f*er. Even if you have a high pain tolerance you'll know!!! I had 2 of mine with no pain meds and there is no question when it's real. Real contractions are time able and get closer together and progress in strength.

mg137 · October 2015

Hopefully you don't and end up not going to the hospital until late in labor! That's rare but sounds wonderful to me. My MIL showed up almost ready to push with her only baby because her labor was so easy and fast until the end. She knew she was in labor long before but just didn't think she had progressed much because it didn't hurt much.

My water broke with my twins and contractions started pretty strong so there was no missing it.

Don't worry, though. You'll know early enough.

danasphillips · October 2015

As long as you live within a couple hours of the hospital you should be fine. I wasn't sure if I was in labor at first, but it became pretty obvious after a while. Even once it was insanely painful I didn't have him for another 12 hours. In most cases FTM will figure it out and make it to the hospital in plenty of time.

katymae08 · October 2015

I labored all day Monday at seven minutes apart. Went out to eat, went to Wal-Mart, visited family, and everything else waiting for them to get closer together. They got more intense as the day went on, but starred at seven minutes apart. Finally at 3am on Tuesday I had one sit me straight up and take my breath. All I could do was grab hubbys hand and squeeze. Noticed then that they had inched closer together and we're then at 5 minutes. When I finally checked into the hospital at 4a they were at 3 minutes apar & I was dilated to 4cm. I didn't have DD until 308pm. My water didn't break naturally either. The doctor done that once I was admitted. It's one of those "you'll know" moments in life. It's hard to mistake.

Knottie1452445632 · October 2015

Don't worry you'll know! I know that's easy for me to say as I have 3 children but yes sometimes Braxton hicks can be uncomfortable and even painful(I know websites say they are not but trust me they can be) these ones hurt this time. I've only ever been induced (2 babies over due and 1 waters broke and labour didn't start) but you'll know! With 1st I felt crampy but no pattern and then a couple of hours later I told the midwife I was having contractions as I couldn't breathe normally though them or talk - baby was born 6 & 1/2 hours after 1st contraction! 2nd induction was back labour but quickly spread to stomach - again no mistaking (couldn't breathe properly or function), 3rd baby started within minutes of them breaking my waters (that's all they did to induce) - bam they hit me immediately and hurt like crazy. I know you are scared you won't notice but trust me you will & unless you are hours and hours away you will make it in. Although your fears are very real

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