Contractions?

So all morning I've been getting cramping but my stomach isn't really getting that hard. Usually when I get Braxton Hicks my stomach gets hard but I don't get the cramping. I don't know if I should be timing the cramping. How will I know when I'm in labor if I've never done this before?

I'm 39 weeks and I've been to L&D 3 times already for different reasons (31 weeks - stomach pains; 36 weeks - random swelling in my right hand; 38 weeks extreme dizziness). I swore the next time I go I will be coming home with a baby!! I just don't want to have to call my dr and they have me come in and again it's nothing.

Contractions?

I woudl time them. If they are regular then they are contractions. If not they are just random cramping.

Contractions?

Thanks Alli! I started timing them. I just keep thinking it's wishful thinking but we shall see. I'm going to try and labor at home as long as possible anyway so I'm guessing if they become that painful I'll know.

Re: Contractions?

Contractions?

GREAT MINDS Alli! I keep saying "I hope my water just breaks because I'm never going to know".

Thanks again! I'm timing them so we shall see.

Re: Contractions?

Definitely time them. You'll know when they're contractions. There is a definite start-end time.

I think my doc had said if they are 5 minutes apart and last 60 seconds, go to the hosp.
Good luck!

Re: Contractions?

i kid you not my contractions felt like i had to take a big ole shit!!!!!!! lol then poof my water started to break.

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I used this site to time them Contraction Timer

I was induced with DD1 so I didn't know what it would feel like when I went into labor. I honestly didn't know if the contractions were real or not. I timed them and they lasted 60 seconds and were less than 5 min apart, but they didn't hurt. I called my doc, they told me to get checked out at L&D - was 3.5 cm when I got there and they didn't hurt at all until I was like 6-7 cm. Then they hurt like he!!.

Good luck - hope this is it for you!!!

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Mine started with cramps like yours and then they got stronger and there was no question whether they were contractions or not. I literally could not talk through them and just curled over in pain for the 1min they were there.

Good luck...I hope this is the start of your labor.

Re: Contractions?

The doctor told me that if they are Braxton Hicks - if you change positions, they will go away. So, if they are contractions that come before labor - no matter how you change your position, they will not go away. I hope that makes sense.

So, if you are seated - stand and see if they go away. Or, if you are standing, lay down, and see if they subside.

HTH

Message edited 6/21/2013 11:49:41 AM.

Contractions?

start to time them - good luck!

i had contractions at 3am every 20 minutes...then they stopped after two hours. then around 2pm it came back every 10-15 minutes, then stopped after another 2 hours. then around 9pm they started and kept coming more frequently and i knew i was in labor.
it could be the beginning for you

Contractions?

How did the timing go?????

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I hope this is it!!

Contractions?

Sorry girls I've been laying down.

So they were too sparatic to really time them. But not for the past 40 minutes they have been every 10 minutes. I'm able to talk through them and they don't stop me in my tracks but seriously for the 1-1.5 minutes that they last I feel like my period is coming. I'm going to keep timing them and hopefully this is it.

DH comes home from work around 4 so I'll see where I am by then. Will keep you girls updated if I can. Thank you all for the responses!!!

Re: Contractions?

I hated when people said it to me, but they were right. "You will know when you are in labor."

I had been having contractions for about 4 days and they were pretty regular but not painful. The day I went into labor they felt totally different and there was definite pain involved. I walked to try to see if they woud stop but they just got worse! I had my son the next day!

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Re: Contractions?

I know you're ready so I hope this is it!

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I hope this is it for you!!!!!!

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My doctor said that I should not be able to talk through my contractions and they should stop me in my tracks but the reality was that I was able to talk through them. I was contracting every 3-4 minutes, I felt only pressure in my back and my stomach never got hard. When I went to the hospital because they were so close together I was 4 cm. My water never broke so it had to be broken in the hospital. You will Definitely know when it's time, your body will tell you.