How will I know that "this is labor"? - Page 2

[Ella-6]

Hi WindyCityMom,

I'm UCing as well and dropped by this forum to see if "this is labour' too. I'm feeling calm, happy and excited all at the same time.

Anyway.. I started having BH contractions in the last couple of days. Today they were more regular, but extremely pleasant with a warming sensation. Interestingly, before the regular ones started, I felt a strong urge to go and lie down... I'm also feeling regular pressure on my cervix (from the baby I think).

I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. So looks like you've got company!

[WindyCityMom]

Thanks everyone

Ella- I'm 38 weeks today so we're not too far apart I've never thought to describe my ctx as pleasant- but you're very right! The warming sensation is lower for me, and they do feel pleasant when they're the regular ones I think because my body is actually making an effort at doing something.

[mamakori]

I had three weeks of prodromal labor and several days of early labor with DS #2 and I joked that I wouldn't know I was in real labor until my water broke (my first was also a pit induction). Well, that's exactly what happened. My (fore)waters broke and I almost instantly went into active labor. The contractions that followed were much more intense than what I had been feeling the previous days. Once I was in active labor, there was no mistaking it!

[Materfamilias]

I'm in the "you'll just know" camp. For me it was a state of peace after all the wondering what it would be like and being afraid I wouldn't know labor when I felt it. I remember waking up in the middle of the night because of the contractions and just lying there quietly experiencing them until dawn. It was a nice feeling: this is it!

[*Erin*]

you really will just know. i felt so dreamy and peaceful, and the contrax were not at all like the BHs i'd had. the real deal ones were so rhythmic and wavelike, and very regular. i knew this was it, finally, and I didn't call dh at work because i knew instinctively it'd be a while. with my 2nd birth, when my labour began it was the same feeling as with my first. it was the middle of the night, and i went back to sleep because i knew what to expect with labour and knew i'd need the rest