I am pretty sure I am in labor

[enchantinglysimple]

So yesterday afternoon I started getting some mild back pain and the BH contractions started showing up at regular intervals for about and hour or so and then they subsided. My back was still bothering me though and I felt like I needed to use the bathroom more then usual. Then that evening the contractions came back around 10 pm and have been 5 minutes a part ever since and it's now 6:00 am! They hurt much more then BH but they haven't gotten a whole lot more intense in the last 8 hours, is that unsual? I'm also having really loose stools, no bloody show or anything though. The contractions do hurt but I can still talk through them. This is maddening, my mom came over because I thought we'd be going to the hospital but now I'm like yeah I'm pretty sure I'm in labor but I don't know if I should head over there or not?! I've managed to sleep a bit through the contractions and thats good but I don't know what to do now...

[Jilian]

The fact that they are getting increasingly stronger makes it sound promising. The rule for true labor is that contractions get stronger, longer, and closer together. I'd hold off on going in until you are having a really hard time making it through contractions. If you go in too early that just puts you on the clock and if you labor slowly hospitals like to do things to speed you up like AROM and Pitocin.

[Koalamom]

: I hope this is finally it for you. Enough false labor. I would spend this time shopping or something fun.

[Coconut Chronicles]

:

Can't wait for an update! :

[Spring Sun]

I would relax and just wait and see. I know a big indicator of labor is that it is hard to talk through contractions. I was having strong contractions a few weeks ago (from stress) and my mom was SURE I was in labor. I was talking normally, but breathing hard and needing to stop a lot. I also tend to double over a bit through the contractions. Can you check your cervix?

[LilWin]

Rule of thumb is usually if you're not sure, you're not in labour. I agree real contractions take -sort of- your breath away, at least for a few seconds so you can't talk or at least say "oompf" When I was in labour with DS the contractions didn't get more painful all day, but as soon as DD went to bed that night they picked up and DS was born a few hours later. So it could be normal they haven't intensified for some hours. Just wait and see and try to relax a bit by showering/tub or listening to music. Oh, and if you suddenly feel like pooping but more intense than normal toilet urge (is that even an English word, lol) you're definitely in labour and it's time to push.

[Michigan Mama]

I hope it's for real and things go smoothly! If not, I wish you patience!!! It's so hard to be patient when it's so close.

[wombatclay]

Good luck and happy birthing!

I've always been told (and tell others) that you should just keep "doing life" until you really really can't anymore. That would be a good time to head for your birth site... though many hospitals will do a cervical check when you arrive and some wont admit you if you're not at Xcm (numbers differ) when you arrive. I'm not saying go to the hospital before you want to or anything like that, just that even if you do go you don't have to stay! And since it's a weekday you might call or visit your care provider first instead of going straight for the hospital.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

This sounds MUCH like my labor. I was unsure, but it had been so long I wanted to make it go. I was glad I got there. It went REALLY quick. I got there at 8, admitted at 10:30, water broke at 11:17, went from 4 CM to 10 by 1 AM, I had a baby at 1:54 AM.

Not being sure isn't always indicative of not being in labor.

[Koalamom]

I see she hasn't logged on since her post. I wonder if anything happened?