I think I might be in labor...

[sunnyside]

It's a strange feeling. My parents were here and I couldn't wait for them to leave. I have been really agitated with them around the last few days and it is worse today. I'm able to relax a bit more now that I'm here by myself, and just wondering how to tell which contractions are more like BH and which ones are more like real contractions...

[goldenpig]

Start timing them. Real contractions are more regular and start getting stronger and more frequent. I think you'll know when you're really in labor.
Good luck! Have a safe and smooth delivery!

[AnnieW625]

With my first pregnancy I was 4/1/2cm dialated and had no clue until the dr. measured me so four days later when I was having contractions that were most likely Braxton Hicks I thought they were the real thing. Make a long story short, admitted to the hospital at 5 cm., in hospital for 5 hrs. and thinking labor has stalled, had my water broken, 3 hrs. later still stalled, got pitocin, had baby four hours later. DD1 was 12 days early.

With DD2 I started having BHs three days before I went to the hospital when my water broke. I hadn't had a single real contraction at home. I looked on webmd and it explained real vs. BH contractions, which helped a bit explain the two.

Both times I felt like I had to pee the entire day before I actually gave birth.

[sunnyside]

Thanks you guys!

My doula thinks some of the contractions are regular and not BH, but a lot of them are still BH. I had a similar sensation last night and then woke up a few times in the night with the more intense one, but slept in between...

At yesterdays appt. I was 70% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated..

The contractions that feel real really feel like they wrap around really tightly and are a ton of pressure like menstrual cramps both in the front and in the back... They're really hard to time though because they actually seem like they don't go all the way away but go in waves. I think I'm going to try to sleep some and see what tomorrow brings (*or I guess tonite LOL!)!

[elektra]

Sounds like it could be it! Good luck.

[ivegotayen]

exciting!

I'm 1 cm and 60% effaced myself. I *think* I've been having some BH and maybe some *really* light real ctx periodically. Sun/Mon it was just a 2-3 times in a day, Tues a little more often and today yet more often -- but so mild they're barely detectable.

In my Bradley Childbirth class they advised us to do the following things to determine if we're in labor:

- Eat
- Drink
- Shower
- Walk
- Nap

We're taught that if labor is in full swing, you'll still be having regular contractions even during/after doing the activities above. If you're having prelabor or false labor, contractions will fade away or become less regular with these activities.

All the best to you! You might be meeting your baby soon!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Fantastic!!! Keep us posted!!!

Beth

[WolfpackMom]

Both times I felt like I had to pee the entire day before I actually gave birth.

By the time labor was in full swing I was peeing every 5 minutes it seemed from the pressure of the baby coming down. Real contractions are like you said with that wrapping feeling and waves. Good luck, hopefully you will be saying to baby soon!

[elizabethkott]

Oooooh! Goody goody! Hopefully this is it!
Good luck, mama!

[TwinFoxes]

OMG! Any news! This is so exciting.