BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

So I have been having Braxton hicks for a while now. I asked my dr how I will know the difference between them and the real ones. She said the real ones will "hurt like hell" Ok. So I have been having these wicked pains since last night, I mean take my breathe away need to sit up stabbing pains. Is this them? Now, I still have 3 1/2 weeks. Im not sure if it is just him giving a good stretch or he wants out?
Also, no loss of mucas plug, no bloody show, just serious cramping.

Any insight would be wonderful. TIA!

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

Hmmm. I don't know what to say other than you just know and you know when it's time to head to the hospital too. I'm no help. Sorry.

You can always call your doc to be on the safe side.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

I was in the same boat. I had contractions every 3-5 min starting at 28 weeks I went to the hospital several times becuase I was nervous it was the real thing. They always told me I would know. I ended up with a c/s because DS was breech so I don't know what "real" contractions would have felt like. They told me to come in if they changed and if they feel stronger to you then go in and get checked out. I never felt dumb going in on all those false alarms!!

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

I would time them and if they get close together call your Dr.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

I had some seriously painful Braxton Hicks for a few weeks leading up to delivery.

There are a few ways to know if they are real contractions.
-They have a consistent pattern
-They are consistently painful. For example, you won't have one that hurts like heck and the next one isn't bad. If it is real labor, each contraction will be as painful if not more painful than the one before it
-They don't change frequency if you lay down or drink water.

It is true that you will know when it is truly labor, but some women don't get that feeling until 8-9 centimeters!

With Ryan, if I had waiting until the contractions were unbearable to call my midwife, my DH would have been catching him on the kitchen floor

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

I don't buy that 'hurt like hell' nonsense because if you have a high pain threshhold like I do, you won't be in that kind of pain until you're in active labor.

When they checked me at the hospital they couldn't believe I was as dilated as I was (7cm) because I wasn't crying in pain.

Pay attention to the time, how long they last, how frequent they are.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

The contractions I had I couldn't catch my breath...Thankfully I was already in the hospital by then.

Always call the dr when in doubt!

ETA: my gf was in active labor for two days without knowing...she went to work and everything, finally the day before she had the baby, she left work early b/c she didn't feel good. Got to the hospital and was 3cm dialated already and her water broke that night.

Message edited 12/27/2008 6:26:25 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

My pain wasn't sharp, it was an ache/cramp. I actually had no idea I was in labor, just that my lower back hurt enough where DH had to rub it. Even the doc was surprised that I was dilated almost 5-cm. I agree with the above poster that timing them is key.

Also, you may or may not have stomach issues too.

Good luck!

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

call ur doc. I had no idea I was in labor, my pain was not that bad, but it wouldn't stop. there was no pattern to it either. I went tot he hospital and was already 4.5 CM and DS was 2 wks early

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

Time them my contractions felt like period cramps for the most part but would come like a sharp pain

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

One thing I found to be consistently true about the real contractions with all 3 of my pregnancies was pain spreading around the lower back area (around kidneys), whether my water broke or not. With my DD, my water never broke but after having contrax all day that were painful (but manageable so I thought they were BH), I ended up doubled over with the lower back ones and my DH said "I think we better call the Dr." and I had DD in the early AM hours.

HTH!!!

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

Message edited 12/27/2008 7:16:28 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

Hmmm. They will be much closer together and consistant. They might not "hurt like hell". Eventually you will notice that you are getting them every 5 - 10 minutes for at least an hour straight, pretty consistantly. You will feel a real tightening feeling that will last a few seconds, your belly will be so hard and then it will go soft again. Within another few minutes it will hapen again, etc. etc. It's the consistance. When you are in LABOR you should have had those consistant contractions and they will become VERY painful. Not uncomfortable but cool sweat, painful.....

I hope that helps a little. FM me if you have any questions and I'll try to answer you. I have two boys and currently pregnant with my third. Hopefully I have learned a thing or two...:)

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

Time them. My contractions felt like little stabs in my lower abdomen. They did not start someplace and spread. I remember looking in my child birth class book and tell DH that it wasnt labor because the contractions weren't right.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

I had SERIOUS cramps Not to the can't handle it point.............


I had not lost my mucos plug, no bloody show............nothing!!

And of course when I thought I peed on my pants the morning I went into labor I did NOT attribute it to my water breaking due never loosing my mucus plug!

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.

All I know is that they su cked. That's the only way to describe it.

Re: BTDT Moms. Question about contractions.