Am I Having Contractions? Need some help!

[adopted0105]

I'm a little over 39 weeks with my first baby and planning to do an unmedicated delivery at the hospital. I've been cramping some this morning, but I can't tell if these are contractions. It's very light cramping at the moment, with no "tightening" in my belly. So what did your early labor contractions feel like? I guess it would be a good idea to see if they're coming at regular intervals, but I don't even know if that's what these are. I'd love to hear your experiences! Thank you!

[finnegansmom]

With my last, I woke up really early in the morning to very strong menstrual cramps. Not contractions, just constant cramps like when I would start a really bad period. Then they went away. About 14 hours later, I had a contraction - a very obvious tightening with accompanied with pain. They started every 5 minutes apart and got stronger and closer together. The first ones weren't too painful, but they were totally different for me than BH contrax. Those never hurt, these did. After a few hours, they got way more intense and I could feel my cervix tingle a second or two before each contraction, as they moved up my uterus and back down.

Good luck, hope this is it for you!

[Kelly1101]

With my first, it felt like menstrual cramps, with my second it felt like Braxton Hicks.

It could definitely be contractions you are feeling.

My advice?

Get into a warm bath tub. With a book. And a half glass of wine unless you're not comfortable with that. Relax. See if the crampiness goes away.

If it does not go away, start timing them. Take a walk. See if they get stronger and get into a pattern.

Good luck!

[phathui5]

A way to tell if you're going into labor is if the cramps or contractions get longer, stronger and closer together. So if they start to feel more intense and are coming every 4-5 minutes, then I would let your midwife know.