37+ weeks and I don't know what I'm feeling

Let me first say this has always been a crazy mover. As I got further along I'm more and more uncomfortable and feeling pressure and pain. I've been telling this to my ob and I've had some issues but everything was always ok. I've also been having contractions from 27 weeks. I've been on modified bedrest since then, and now for the last few days I have to be on complete bedrest for another few days.

Since thursday I'm feeling more intense pain, pressure and uncomfortable. I've been in bed a lot more than usual and it's not really getting any better. I had my appt thursday and that's when he told me to stay in bed. So now I'm so confused with the baby painfully moving around and feeling contractions. There isn't a pattern or anything but I'm not sure what to wait for to call the dr.

This is #2 but the first time I had a scheduled c/s so I never really knew what labor felt like. Has anyone else been confused with painful baby movement and labor contractions? Should I just be waiting for something more steady?

37+ weeks and I don't know what I'm feeling

As far as labor goes, it can start differently for everyone so it's hard to generalize. I had tons of BH when I was pregnant with DD, starting around 30 weeks. I remember some nights I'd sit in our L&D class and the teacher would look at me and say "are we going to have a class example here today?" because I was contracting that much and it was obvious just watching my body and me! I was definitely a bit dehydrated simply because I have trouble downing 60 oz of water a day. That didn't help.

When I went into labor, that day was all about back pain for me. It was the worst back pain I'd had my entire pregnancy. I had NO IDEA I was in labor until the contractions started fast and furious that night. But the back pain was so bad that day that I took tylenol for the first time in weeks. In hind sight, it was probably back labor, but it didn't feel like contractions to me. It was so different.

A lot of time that pain you're feeling along with those BH contractions are actually your body dilating and effacing. It's the practice for labor, too, as your body gets ready to go.

When I actually went into labor the night of the back pain, every contraction was like intense intense pain and an urge to pee like I couldn't even believe. Then I'd scurry (waddle) over to the bathroom and two drops would come out, along with clumps of mucous plug (sorry for the visual). Then it happened again 10 minutes later! And 10 minutes later! I took me an hour of this happening every 10 minutes to realize these were actual labor contractions. As they started to get closer together, I started to realize this was "the real thing" and it became more obvious. No amount of water, laying down, or position changes could stop it or change it. I took a shower, blew out my hair, and at one point I had a contraction and ran to the bathroom to pee and saw blood in the discharge. So that's when I headed to the hospital. DD was born 3.5 hours later!

There had been nights over the weeks before that when I'd had 4 or 5 contractions in an hour and then they'd totally stop until 3 hours later and then I'd have one or two. But I was 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced by the time I hit 39 weeks, which my OB said was because of the contractions and pain I'd been feeling over that time before then. (DD was born 1 day before my due date.)

That's just my story, but I hope it helps. At this point, your LO is well baked and if he or she wants to come out, the world will be ready for his/her arrival! Just try to stay comfortable and plenty hydrated, and hopefully we'll have an update that your little one is here soon!!! Good luck!

Re: 37+ weeks and I don't know what I'm feeling

Thank you so much for your story!! That sounds like me! I have to say I am more hydrated this pregnancy than I have been my entire life lol. I had bad cramps and dehydration issues with my son so I knew I would have to take care of myself. Even the nurse has been so proud of me and she's the biggest water nazi!

This last 20 minutes I'm starting to feel more of a pattern of tightening, I know as time goes on they will get more intense and frequent which is what I guess I'm waiting for. I guess I'll just keep myself showered and ready for the next few days.

Thank you again for responding!!

Re: 37+ weeks and I don't know what I'm feeling

Carissa,

This last pregnancy was the worst by far. I felt things I never felt with the boys. I was always cramping and always thinking to myself "Is this it?!"

The night before my scheduled c-section my stomach was out of control. The baby was literally moving like a tidal wave. I went to bed that night and woke up with an intense cramp. I went to the bathroom and there was some blood. I took a shower and when I got out the cramps were more intense and coming every 4-6 minutes. The other times the cramps were def. more sporadic. I say drink some water and get cozied up in bed. You will know if it's the start of labor.

Are you having another csection or trying for a vbac?

37+ weeks and I don't know what I'm feeling

Thanks Diana! Thats exactly what this baby has beenn feeling like...a tidal wave! Totally nonstop, thats why I can't tell the difference between that tightening and pressure and the contractions! I just got out of the shower, I'll have to relax and see what happens next.

I need to have another c/s, blood clot issues, I'm on heparin now. How has you're recovery been? I'm hoping for another good one!