Could I be in labor?
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It’s 2 a.m.; you wake up with your stomach as hard as a rock. It releases, but does it again a few minutes later. It’s 2:05 a.m. and you’ve had two contractions. Could this be it? Could you be in labor? You’ve had two more contractions and it’s now 2:30. Worried that this could be it; you wake your husband up. Sleepily, he suggests waiting an hour before calling the doctor and he goes and gets you a glass of water. You drink the glass of water and roll over to your left side and wait. After consuming the water and relaxing-your contractions have subsided. This wasn’t it-you weren’t in labor. It was a ‘false alarm’.
So how do you know what is ‘true labor’ or ‘false labor’? According to healthcare professionals, ‘true labor’ shows these certain characteristics:
The contractions should come at regular intervals. You should not have 2 a few minutes apart and then go 15 minutes before having another. As time passes; the contractions should get closer together.
The contractions should continue whether you stay in the same position, lay on your left side or getting up and walking around.
The contractions should get increasingly stronger. With each contraction; they should hurt just a bit more than the last.
The contractions most likely start in the lower back or thighs then move to your abdomen. True labor often symptoms pain in more than just the front of you stomach.
Other true labor symptoms include: Pressure in the pelvic or vaginal region; menstrual-like cramping; any bleeding; loss of fluid (could feel like a gush or a trickle); or flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)
‘False’ labor characteristics often include:
Irregular contractions; when you walk around or change position-they stop or become more infrequent.
The contractions get weaker and do not gain any strength. They may start out strong; but as they continue-they weaken.
‘False’ labor contractions are usually only felt in the front of your abdomen and usually do not move into your back or thigh regions.
With ‘false’ labor contractions; you really do not need to take any action. Just try to relax or drink some water or juice; grab a healthy snack or take a walk. They should usually cease upon doing one of these actions. But if at anytime you are in doubt of whether it is ‘true’ or ‘false’ labor; be sure to contract your healthcare professional. It’s always better to be over-cautious.
Kerith says...
i have 4 kids (3 labors) and i still got the feeling confused…my last time–twins–i went to the hospital 4 times in one week with false labor—but boy did they feel real. But the one time they were real I stayed at home and didn’t tell my hubby. By the time I told him and we made it to the hospital, I was ready to push and they had to do a c-section…so i totally agree with you that you can NEVER be over-cautious!!!