Am I in early labor?

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 weeks and 1 day. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions since about 30 weeks. Today, My BH feel VERY strong and with some real pain. My stomach hasn't been getting soft again between contractions, but the pain does seem to subsided. It's right across the mid-section, maybe slightly above.

It's hard for me to time these. They're not killing me yet, so it's taking me a minute to realize that these are hurting. I thought I was just constipated and uncomfortable today, but now they're making me sit up and notice.

I guess the best thing is to wait and see....but, it's tough for me to know what's going on right now.


Thoughts???

[Anonymous]

When you start to go into labor--you will know..trust me you will know. Sounds like you are still having braxton hicks. When you start to see a pattern and they are really strong..then you can call your doc.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. If it's taking you a minute to realize it's hurting, I'm guessing it's not real pain. You'll know it when it happens. In my experience, they don't start out hurting, just uncomfortable, but they do feel different and you just know.

[Anonymous]

Ditto the past posters. Try to relax and maybe limit activity. You may soon go into labor but for now, I doubt you are in it. Trust me, you will know and pain will be a reality. I don't know if this is your first baby but things do take a while so there is no point in acting (on the labor) until you are more certain that you are in it. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I had a very erratic labor both times, with contractions that could be timed for an hour that would then taper off and reappear an hour or so later. Both times, I had progressed to nearly 8 cm withough a regular labor. Both labors were also relatively short (6-7 hours start to finish). So, if you are wondering go in and get checked or do as my OB instructed and wait until you *need* drugs and go in then. You may be surprised to hear that you are nearly ready to deliver!

[Anonymous]

Are you serious? At 39
weeks why would you be asking a forum instead of going in and getting it checked.

Be real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you serious? At 39
weeks why would you be asking a forum instead of going in and getting it checked.

Be real.

Not everyone runs to the hospital at the first sign of labor to confirm it. Most OBs don't recommend that either.

How are you doing, OP?

[Anonymous]

OK..First poster here. I wasn't in labor. I figure this baby is just coming any day now. I've had a few friends who have had similar labors to this..you have contractions at night and then they go away.

The contractions got fairly painful and were about 10-15 minutes apart. I finally decided to try and lay down and get some rest. I want to labor at home as long as possible when the real thing happens. After about 45 minutes in bed, I started to feel a lot better. Everything was back to normal by morning.

It's been a repeat most nights, but not as severe.

The thing that was getting me was that even though the tightening seemed to ease up, I was so sore after. It made it tough to tell what's what.

thanks for all the posts..lets hope I get a baby soon!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for updating, OP. I've been wondering how you were doing. I had many days of on and off again contractions, about 10-15 minutes apart, especially when I was active. But when the real deal started, I just knew. Most first-time moms go into labor 8 days after their due date, too. I also stayed at home as long as possible, and it really made my labor seem to go much faster (even though it was a very average 18-hour labor). In fact, as soon as I realized I was going into labor, I ate a hearty meal and got some sleep (not run to the hospital!). Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

One plus abou the nighttime contractions is that you may actually be slowly completing the first 1-4 cm dilation. This happened to me, I began "real" Labor already 4 cm dilated due to a few nights like the ones you describe.