How Will I Know When I'm Having Contractions?

Hey J.!

I HATED hearing that from others.. trust me, you'll know! Yeah right!!! I was in a chat room while I was in labor and i didn't know. I thought I was just having some back pain from sleeping wrong. Fortunately, the women in the room told me I was in labor and i needed to call the hospital. Sure enough I was dilating and in labor!

This is my recommendation to you... braxton hicks are NOT regular contractions. They come and go and are relieved when you change positions. It sounds much like you are having this type of contraction.

The real deal will NOT go away no matter what you do and will be very rhythmic in timing. Keep a clock around you at all times because you will need to keep count of them. They will also decrease in time in between the contractions.

Don't be scared! I was terrified, but it was actually very easy. Use DEEP BREATHING relaxation exercises through them. Imagine your belly as a balloon and you're trying to fill it up and empty it each time. I used this and made it to a little over 6cms on my own. Then I chose to have the epidural because i was afraid if I went too far then I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. I might have though... it was actually very easy! :)

I think everyone feels contractions different because everyone's tolerance for pain is different. I have a high tolerance and my contractions felt much what you have described. The only difference in active labor was the frequency increased. The contractions increased to the point that they were back to back, and that was what became intolerable. I finally asked for an epidural, but unfortunately did not take effect. So if you are having braxton hicks and not feeling pain, you may be lucky to have a high tolerance for pain. Good luck.

If they are not consistent and when you time them, they do not get closer together, they probably are not 'real' contractions. I never had braxton hicks at all, or if I did I didn't feel them, so when my labor started, I knew it. My water also broke when my labor started, so that was a key giveaway. Mine also felt like cramps, regular ever-increasing cramps. From what I hear, false labor will stop when you lie down if you were moving when it started, or it will stop when you start moving if you were lying down when it started. Mine were the same no matter what, and they got closer and closer together each hour. Also, you may begin to start losing your mucus plug if your labor is actually beginning.

It is an intense complete cramping of your entire abdomen that takes your breath away it is to intense. It was tunnel vision for me and I moaned a loud, although I didn't mean to. It was fairly intense for me to the point that I couldn't think about anything except at how much it hurt. Our bodies are amazing. I actually miss that feeling now.

I have to agree with all the other mommies... you'll just know! The contractions will be consistent and they won't ever stop until that little munchkin comes flying out! And remember, as your pregnancy goes on, those braxton hicks contractions do get stronger and more frequent. Another sign to look for, is the loss of your mucas plug. This means labor isn't far. Let's hope you don't have any labor contractions for another couple of weeks. I just had my third child 4 weeks ago with no drugs. If you need any advice and a fresh perspective, let me know! Good luck and remember to breathe! You can do it! Its not as bad as people say, and as soon as its over, you will have forgotten about any pain.

well i once asked the same question, and yes its true you will know the difference but everyone is different and each pregnancy is different i have had three girls with my first one i had to be indused and broke my water because i kinda had the same thing you have but she wasnt coming, with induction its different because you are in a hospital being monitored so they let you know. but with my second one my water broke first until then i didnt have any contractions, that started like cramps but harder you feel like this pressure towards the bottom thats the only difference and it goes from the front of your abdomen to your back and when not just your lower belly hurts and hardens but your whole belly then you know its a contraction and your breathing gets shorter. also keep in mind there is a thing called back labor i had it with one of my girls it statrs in your lower back and moves to the front lower part of your belly that hurts more i will be honest it felt like my lower back was being split in half...lol. the hardness is normal as long as you dont start hurting to where you start breathing and hurting hard. just remember the pain is temporary and the joy is forever when you hold your little baby it will all be worth it.. you can do it...

Hi J.! I am glad you are concerned. It's always better to be safe. Both of my kids were born at 36 weeks, and with both I had preterm labor. If you have tightening in your belly and it doesn't really go away after resting or lying down, then the rule is (this is from my doctor), if you have 5 or more contractions (pain or just tightening) within 1 hour, then call your OBGYN and go to your hospital maternity ward for monitoring. This happened to me with my first child at 27 weeks and my 2nd at 35 weeks. I didn't feel any pain, just the tightening. Turned out I was in labor way too early. Good thing I called my doctor and went to the hospital. When in doubt, just call your doctor. I hope everything works out for you!

S.

It feels like the cramps you get when you have your period, but SO much worse!

Hi J.,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! After completing these steps im about to share with you, you will be able to tell if you are having false labors symptoms, or you are infact going into labor. If you are having contractions (in a pattern or not), try eating something. When in early labor, eating something is actually recommended to get your strength up for the long hours ahead. Try drinking water or a sports drink (instead of gatorade or propel try a drink called Recharge, sold at natural health food stores like Down to Earth. theres tons of more nutrients and less sugar in this than others). Drinking is also very important during labor. If you are still having contractions, try a bath/shower. If you are really in labor, you will continue with the contractions. If it is false labor, your contractions will stop. If you are still contracting, take a nap. I know it might be hard to fall asleep if you think you are in labor, but either way it will help. False labor, you will be getting more rest. Real labor, you will be resting up for all the strength you will need later.
Also try changing the positions you are in. If you are lying down, stand up. If you are standing, sit. Real contractions will not stop and continue to get stronger and stronger. If it stops when you change positions, then you are definately NOT in labor. Labor wont stop for anything when its ready.
I went to Bradley classes and absolutely LOVED every minute of it. I hope this helps. Again, congrats on your pregnancy and good luck!

I agree with all the moms that say trust me you will know. I had braxton hicks contactions and a lot of painful hardening of my tummy for the last 3 months and I was always terrified that it was early labor. My doctor told me that if there was no pattern (meaning you can get 1 in an hour and maybe 2 the next) it was probably braxton hicks.Also if pain subsided if you changed position or layed down it was also probably not labor.

All my sisters who had babies told me the same thing that I would know the difference and they were right. They said that it felt like menstrual cramps and that I would start feeling a little under the weather or feel flu like symptoms. The cramps also started coming regularly and got worse as time went by. They did not improve if
I changed position at all. Whent they started coming every 5-10 minutes for more than hour I
knew it was the real thing.

FYI I ended up having my baby 2 weeks early

When I started having my contractions, my husband called the hospital to see when we should go in so that I wouldn't be sent home. The nurse told him we should come in as soon as I couldn't speak through my contractions. I thought this was a little strange, but sure enough, a short while later, I was unable to speak during my contractions. So if you can still function during these contractions you're having, whether Braxton Hicks or not, I believe you're okay to just wait it out. If it would make you feel better, though, maybe you should call your doctor and see what he or she suggests...good luck!

Hello,
I was forewarned that since my daughter was my first baby that I would rush to the hospital due to false labor...so, when I had hours and hours of "false labor" it finally started getting intense and I still waited to go to the hospital...swearing I wouldn't get turned away, ha! Several hours later, my daughter was born. Until it became intense, the first 7 hours were annoying, but livable.

However, we are all different. Don't worry about it though...just enjoy the process and your new baby to be!

Congrats,
J.
www.AisForAutism.net

I was in labor for 36 hours, I went on Thursday and delivered on Saturday.....and its so true "TRUST ME YOU'LL KNOW is the most sound advice you'll get!

Let us all know when you have come back to us!

Congratulations and we're with you!

Oh and because I really do care.....everything you've ever expected and everything you may have learned to prepare you for this life changing event - will go right out the WINDOW!

I'm just being honest, you'll be fine and our prayers are with you! I promise you this, when it is all said and done and you look into the eyes of the most beautiful baby you've ever seen, the feeling is absolutely amazing! True miracle of this life! And we'll be right there with you! God Bless and may you all live the lives DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

I didn't believe everyone when they said "Trust me, you'll know".. My water ended up being broken at the hospital by the dr. Soon as my water broke the contractions started, and my god did they hurt. It feels like severe menstrual cramps that come and go. Each person is different. I wish I could describe to you what they felt like, but I can't find the words to use. Good luck..