How do you know if you are in labor?

[FLMama092485]

Ok I know this is my second kid but I never really knew what labor was and felt like.

All day I have been contracting about every 10-20 minutes. This I know is no big deal. Plus I have felt an urgency. Like it has to get done now. I am having a hay day cleaning and I called DH to ask if I could take some money out of our stash to go and buy diappers, carseat and some onsies. I have no idea why but I feel like we are going to need them soon.

I also have had a large amount of discharge. No blood or anything gross. It is white.

Could this be early labor starting up??

[MrsTC]

If moving around brings on a contraction and/or increases its intensity while you're having one, it might be baby time.

My midwife told me last time around to try to get it to stop and if it didn't it was probably the real thing. Try to get them to stop by relaxing, taking a warm bath, lying down for a nap, having a glass of wine, etc.

I had with my first, and have had episodes with this baby, of early labor (they call it false labor, I call it early labor) where I've had timeable contractions that hang around regardless of my attempts to stop them, but they end after 1 or 2 hours. Last time around they did a lot of my work for me ahead of time; I think it's a good thing. You'll appreciate any early work you can have done when you start when the real thing comes.

But by all means, get stuff ready if your instinct tells you to do so!

[FLMama092485]

They have been getting stonger as I move around. I have tried to relax and lay down and all that fun stuff but they are still coming. I went to the store and bought about 200.00 worth of stuff that I needed for the baby. I am about to finish cleaning and wash all the baby clothes and try to find a bad to pack some things in just in case. I am hoping that he will still wait until after we move and get things set up.

[DecemberSun]

MrsTC, you give me hope because I've had a bunch of start-and-stop crap going on since Sunday. At first I was discouraged because I'm thinking "Come on already, get this over with!" but now I know that everything is moving on down where it is supposed to, slowly but surely...

Good labor vibes to both of you ladies!

[FLMama092485]

I am about to go crazy!!!! I am still contracting and still nesting and wish there was some way I could tell if these contractions are doing any thing. I am really uncomftorable (sp?) I am having a lot of pressure on my cervix. I think any way, but I know that I feel pressure.

I have already gave work a heads up cause I am or was suppose to work a split shit tomorrow.

Is there any way to tell if this is the real thing with out going to the hospital?

[kerikadi]

I'd take a long hot bath submerging yourself as much as possible and maybe even have a small glass of wine.
The thing is - if this isn't labor you don't want to wear yourself out. My MW's general rule is if you are laboring during the day she wants you to be active for one hour and then rest for one hour so that you don't wear yourself out. If you contractions stop during the bath or while in the shower it probably isn't the real thing.
This is my 5th so I have had several bouts of labor that didn't *do* anything.
You will know for sure when the intensity increases significantly and you really have to focus and can no longer talk through the contractions.
You could always check yourself to see if there are any changes in your cervix.

Keri

[cinnamonamon]

Yup, I'm right there with you. I'm just concentrating on relaxing. I'm sitting (here at the keyboard) and on the couch knitting a lot. I did go ahead & pack up & drive to my Mom's last night. Now I'm only 10-20 minutes from the birth center, instead of a good 1 1/2 hours...

Right now they're still 20 minutes apart when I'm resting -- I got a pretty darn good night's sleep last night, & I have an appt. today anyway, so worst case scenerio is that I got the drive for the appt. out of the way last night instead of this morning.


Not to make you dispair, but my mom commented that she was in labor like this for 10 days before my last sister was born... : I was less than thrilled to hear that!

[FLMama092485]

Well, I got some sleep last night. But the contractions are starting back up again slowly but surely. I am about to lay down again with my water and whatch cold case files. I called in from work and think that I am going to have to start my leave sooner than I thought. I just want the little guy to wait until after we move.

Last night I was having some killer contractions and was shaking like when I was in labor with DD. Now that part I do remeber. But I was able to calm down and relax.

Is wine really ok to drink while you are pregnant?

[Wild Flowers]

Angela, are you really only 35 weeks pregnant? Because you shouldn't really be in labor right now, right? I mean, it is usually something that your care provider wants to know if you are having pre term labor, before 37 weeks. So it might be worth the call if you are having lots of regular contractions

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by FLMama092485

Is wine really ok to drink while you are pregnant?

Of course it depends on your comfort level.
Because you are only 35 weeks I personally would rather drink a small glass of wine than have to go to the hospital to have labor stopped. It is going to be better for you and baby then the stress of going to the hospital and the meds they would put you on there but that is *me*.

I had pre-term labor with #2 at 28 weeks I know what the meds are like. I don't think wine would have stopped my labor that time but if you are ok with drinking a glass it could relax you enough to buy you another couple of weeks. That along with a hot bath and PLENTY of water. I had to stop labor with #4 when I started having contractions too soon. I had over-done it and was probably a bit dehydrated which cause an irritable uterus. A long hot bath, LOTS of water and just a few sips of wine were enough to make my contractions stop and for me to get some much needed rest.

It is likely this is prodromal labor or pre-labor but the more you can relax the more rest you can get the better off you and baby will be

Keri

[tika]

I had a PTL scare this pregnancy at 29 weeks, the only thing that stopped the contractions was drinking a glass of wine. I was one step away from needing to go to the hospital. Like Kerri, it was also after I over-did myself and was dehydrated which caused an irritable uterus.

[grapejuicemama]

I've had PTL twice (different pregnancies) and each time, a bath and glass of wine, along with just rest and calcium stopped it.

They used to put alcohol in IVs to stop PTL, so I definitely think a glass of wine is ok, IME and opinion.

[FLMama092485]

Well, I don't like my care provider and if the baby wants to come he's going to come.

But the contractions have stoped so far. I called work and told them that I am taking my leave earlier than I thought. I have enought to do in the next couple of weeks and I don't want to over do it.

We are moving next week and I want to get the apartment ready before he comes. But at least for now I have a car seat, clothes, wipes, and some diappers. Lucky me that Toys R Us was having a sale and MIL works there and gets 10% off. I saved 83.00 last night.

What kind of wine is ok? I have some Auburn Mist stuff in the fridge. Is that ok?

Thanks for all the advise and help. I just don't want to deal with my care provider cause I am in the Stork Clinic. That means I am under the care of all the residents.

[Wild Flowers]

If I remember correctly you want a white wine. Red has tannins in it an it will irritate your uterus. I am hoping it stops for you, I know it isn't easy when you don't like who your doctor is.

[deuxceleste]

This is just to say...

I LOVE YOU ANGELA!!

That is all.

[FLMama092485]

Originally Posted by Wild Flowers

If I remember correctly you want a white wine. Red has tannins in it an it will irritate your uterus. I am hoping it stops for you, I know it isn't easy when you don't like who your doctor is.

Ok. Well, for now it has stoped and I am feeling crampy and my back is killing me. DH gave me a supper back rub last night that put me in a good mood. He is starting to learn that I am much more willing to do things for him if I am in a good mood.

Originally Posted by deuxceleste

This is just to say...

I LOVE YOU ANGELA!!

That is all.

Awww thank you. It's always nice to know that you are loved.

[kaylee18]

Originally Posted by grapejuicemama

...They used to put alcohol in IVs to stop PTL, so I definitely think a glass of wine is ok, IME and opinion.

Yes, yes they did at one time give IV ethanol for PTL. That is how fetal alcohol syndrome was discovered (surprise surprise! FAS babies without alcoholic moms! Victims of the mainstream medical establishment... but trust the physician, he's here to help you ). Which is not to say that a single glass of wine will hurt. Studies have not shown FAS to result from less than 3 drinks per day - in fact one study showed higher IQ's and development scores for the children of moderate consumers of alcohol (1-2 drinks every. single. day.). Just don't get IV ethanol or drink more than one drink at once. And for goodness sake, do not ever assume a practice is safe just because physicians do it (or once did).

That is all.

[cinnamonamon]

Originally Posted by kaylee18

Yes, yes they did at one time give IV ethanol for PTL. That is how fetal alcohol syndrome was discovered (surprise surprise! FAS babies without alcoholic moms! Victims of the mainstream medical establishment... but trust the physician, he's here to help you ). Which is not to say that a single glass of wine will hurt. Studies have not shown FAS to result from less than 3 drinks per day - in fact one study showed higher IQ's and development scores for the children of moderate consumers of alcohol (1-2 drinks every. single. day.). Just don't get IV ethanol or drink more than one drink at once. And for goodness sake, do not ever assume a practice is safe just because physicians do it (or once did).

That is all.

Kaylee -- do you have links to that study? I've heard references to similar ones, but I want something I can read & print off to shut up people who bug me.

[kaylee18]

Many helpful references are provided on this page.

hth.

[cinnamonamon]

Thanks, kaylee -- great link!