Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

Could this actually happen? I didn't go into labor with my DD and was induced at 41 weeks 1 day bc of low fluid. Had awful labor bc of Pitocin, got all the drugs, got the epi early and ultimately had a c-section.

I'm 36.5 weeks and my c-section is scheduled for the 1st week in March. This pregnancy has been the opposite of last pregnancy in every way. I'm pretty sure this baby had started to drop, as I feel movement lower down, and my pubic bone is killing me when I walk. I also sometimes feel extra wet down there, and am afraid my water will leak and I won't realize it. I'm also not sure if know a contraction if I felt one. I was extra crampy in my back last night, but it was random and not consistent...and I don't think it peaked like a contraction would.

Please tell me I'm just being irrational bc of the weather, and id know if I was in labor.

Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

My OB keeps reassuring me that I will know when I am in real labor. I have had Braxton hicks contractions since 28 weeks and sometimes they are really painful so my fear is I will not know when it is really time to go to the hospital. As for leaking water I was told to be concerned when I had a gush of fluid or a steady stream of fluid. Glad to see I am not the only one worried about these things.

Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

When pg with DS, I had BH contractions from really early on and then as I got closed to my due date, I had some intense BH that were pretty uncomfortable. Eventually they would go away. When I was in real labor, I was woken up at 2:45 am from a sound sleep bc the pain of the contraction was so bad. Then they only got worse and worse. My OB told me when it happened, I would know, and he was right. I had the same fear but it was unfounded. Keep in mind that early on in labor, even if you're not sure if it's real enough, eventually it will become unbearable and you WILL know. The baby isn't going to just slip out. Before I got my epi I was screaming in pain. That was during the transition phase. Try not to worry - you will know when it happens.

Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

I don't believe a woman will always know when she is in labor. I am not trying to scare anyone or start drama but when I was pregnant I felt a little discomfort and after an hour and a half went to the hospital. I was 28 weeks along. When I got there I was fully dilated and my water had broken. I had no idea. My son was delivered less than 30 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. Now I know that I was having contractions for about 6 hours before I went to the hospital possibly longer. But at 28 weeks I also had no reason to suspect I was in labor.

Re: Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

I didn't realize I was in labor until 1.5 hrs before ds was born. I got to the hospital and had him in 20 minutes. I was induced with my 1st dc and I also was afraid I would not know what a contraction was. Guess my fear came true. It all went very smoothly though!

Re: Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

One way to check if you're leaking is to change your underwear and lay down for a few minutes when you get up and check to see if you are leaking again. Chances are it's your water. I had a leak with my 1st dc and it was a little hard to tell at first if it was my water or what was going on. After doing this a few times I knew my water broke. With dc#2 there no denying that my water broke, it was a big gush If you are having regular contractions and they are getting more painful and they are regular you're probably in labor. Drink a ton of water and lay down if they go away after the water and rest then it's probably not true labor.

I don't think your fears are irrational at all! Just listen to your body and when in doubt call your Dr or head the L&D.

Re: Irrational fear of going into labor and not knowing it...

Thanks everyone. I took a shower and dried off completely and waited to see if any fluid was running down my leg... It wasn't. So I'm relieved that I'm not leaking any fluid.

I think the weather being what it is, and my DH working 2 hours away has me on edge...but he's home now and I'm feeling a bit calmer!