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| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:42 PM |
| how far along are you? ↑ |
| Name: natalee-j | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:44 PM |
| Im due on thrusday wb x ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:45 PM |
| drink some water and rest for a bit and see if they go away, if they come closer and stronger you might be in labor ↑ |
| Name: Coartney | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:46 PM |
| 30 mins, sounds like BH.. lol even when i was in full blown labor the closest mine got were 1-2 mins and u knew they were real b.c u couldnt breathe without screaming ↑ |
| Name: natalee-j | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:46 PM |
| oh im scared now, should i ring tom or is there no point as he is home in 20mins? ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:48 PM |
| April 27, 2007 SEARCH drSpock my account | sign in HOT TOPICS Pregnancy Symptoms Read with Your Kids -- It's Fun! Take Our Quizzes Play with Your Baby TOPICS Parents are talking about their children. Join the discussion. True vs. False Labor by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. "How will I know when it is REAL labor?" is a question many first-time moms have as they approach the end of the pregnancy. The mothers-to-be worry that the contractions may stop when they arrive at the hospital and they will be sent home. Conversely, many also worry that they will deliver at home or in the car on the way to the hospital if they wait too long. What are Braxton-Hicks Contractions? During the third trimester, your uterus begins to contract. It normally feels like a tightening or a low menstrual-like cramp. It may feel as if the baby is "balling up". This, of course, is not the baby, but is your uterus generating that sensation. These early contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, named after the obstetrician who first described them. Even Braxton-Hicks contractions can sometimes be painful. This can be the confusing part about when to pay attention to them. Contractions in false labor may even come at regular 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. This may go on for hours. Even women who have had already had children go to the hospital thinking they are in real labor and find out is was a false alarm. Here are a few guidelines when distinguishing true from false labor: Timing of Contractions • False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together • True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds. Strength of Contractions • False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones. • True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure Pain with Contractions • False Labor: Usually felt in the front only. • True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front. Position Changes and Hydration • False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake. • True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink. Should I Stay or Should I Go? If you are less than 35 weeks pregnant and you have regular contractions lasting more than thirty seconds and occurring more than 4-6 times an hour, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If the contractions don't settle down with these changes in activity, call your practitioner. The signs of preterm labor can be subtle, and should be evaluated. Once you are past 36 weeks, if this is a first pregnancy, you are much more likely to go in to your birth place too early rather than too late. Don't time contractions until they are very strong and regular. Plan to go to the hospital when they are so strong that you cannot hold a conversation during one, closer than 5 minutes apart, and continue in that pattern for over an hour. For women who have given birth before, we recommend using your previous labor as a guideline. On average, second babies come in half the time it took for the first. Subsequent pregnancies are usually similar to the second one. If you just aren't sure whether it is false or real labor, don't feel bad going into labor and delivery to be examined. Your practitioner and the nurses there see many women each day in false labor. Sometimes it is even hard for the professionals to distinguish if it is the real thing ↑ |
| Name: X-Amber-X | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:48 PM |
| could be early stages..............though if they are that far apart nothing is going to happen for a while yet......... relax, walk about and drink lots of water........ if / once thye get to 10 mins apart call you midwife.......... just stay calm............. of course your not being stupid, your lil one could be here soon thats so exciting good luck xx ↑ |
| Name: bebe9281 | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:51 PM |
| Soory..... Are you constipated... Try pooping... Sorry yall ↑ |
| Name: natalee-j | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:54 PM |
| Lol i think it could be braxton now, im going to drink some water and relax, and go to the toilet lol (not a silly idea bebe!!) Omg what if i am in labor, i could be a mum tommorrow arrgghhh :D ↑ |
