Hi ladies,
I am almost 38 weeks pregnant and am not sure if what I am feeling are early labor pains. For the past couple of days, I have felt sporadic pain in my groin area. Almost more like a muscle pull like I used to get years ago when I used to run Track, lol. I have read that early labor pains can start in the groin area - then proceed up to the stomach. I haven't felt anything in my stomach yet. I'm just wondering if this is normal - do you normally feel pain in the groin area and for how long before things move up to your stomach? I know everyone is different and there probably isn't a "normal", just wondering if anyone else started with the groin area and how things went after that? I have an appointment with my doc in a couple of days so I will ask her more information then and she'll check my dilation at that point as well. I am not too concerned as the pain isn't regular and is not overwhelming. Just more curious at this point. thanks so much!
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I know every pregnancy is different but it really helps to hear actual experiences so that I can know the potential things to look out for. Thanks so much for all the well wishes and I really appreciate your sharing such personal details. They are all a huge help. thank you!
I am in the same spot. I have been feeling pains and I think the pain is caused from my ligaments stretching. Definitely not a fun pain, but soon it will be over! Good luck to you!
I had the same type of groin pain starting around the beginning of the 3rd trimester. I think its just the way the babys head is positioned and the way your body is changing to get ready for delivery. I experienced the groin pain until about 6 weeks after delivery. It wasn't a constant pain, nor was it painful. Just sporadic annoying pain. Good luck!
Towards the end of my 3rd pregnancy, I literally felt like baby was going to fall out, there was sooooo much pressure down there. I couldn't stand or sit. The pain radiated down my groin area; I walked all bowlegged (I honestly could have sworn the baby's head was between my legs, it was awful). Ask your doc, but if you're feeling what I'm thinking you're feeling, it's just from the pressure of the babys head. Not comfortable!! Take it easy these last 2 weeks, lay on your left side with a pillow between your legs and relax while you still can... you'll have your hands full once your little one gets here. Feel better :)
Maybe it's just your ligaments stretching. I would get horribly lower belly pain during my pregnancy. The dr said it was just the "round ligaments" stretching. Here's more info: http://www.babycenter.com/0_round-ligament-pain_205.bc
If it's a hardening of your belly, yes literally like a bowling ball hard, that's a contraction or if you feel a shooting pain, like a lower back muscle spasm. At least that's been my experience. I found that some of the contractions "Braxton Hicks" were relieved by being better hydrated.
Good luck and safe delivery wishes...
I pulled my groin at about 34 weeks and felt it the rest of my pregnancy. Since your tendons and everything else are loser during pregnancy, it's possible that you did pull a muscle. Should get better after delivery, but might take a couple weeks.
I had the same thing when I was pregnant. There is a name for it but I can't remember what it is. Mine was in the groin and reached up the sides of my stomach. It wasn't labor, but I did go into labor a few days afterwards. In my case it was bad when I walked but eased when I was sitting or standing still, when I went into labor the pain was constant not matter what I did. It was kinda funny afterward, when I did eventually go into labor, I thought. "I can't believe I thought that other stuff was labor!" lol
Just your pelvic muscles loosening up and stretching with the weight of the baby pressing down on them and yes, your body preparing for labor... With my 4th (who is 10 months old) I noticed it most when I was trying to stand up or walk... Or if I stood for a while...
And just so your prepared... :-) I walked around dialated to 2 or more for OVER 3 weeks with my last 3 kiddos (6,3,and 10 months) THEN had to be induced at 2 weeks over with all of them... SO even if your dialated you could have a bit longer until you are cuddling that baby...
If your belly isn't hardening, they are not contractions. It's likely the baby's head is pushing against your cervical region.
Here's an article that may help you understand the difference between false labor and real labor. Good luck! You are almost there. I have 6 weeks to go...with my 4th!
http://www.babies.sutterhealth.org/laboranddelivery/labor...
