Stupid ? Braxtons vs Real

[bizzibee1]

Ok, I have been having regular Braxtons for the last week. Will I really know if I am in true Labour? I keep wondering if I will really know. With my DD, my water just broke and contractions started 20-25 min later, I never had Braxtons with her, so I didn't know any better. Am I crazy to think I won't know? I'm not concerned about getting to the hospital on time, I live only 2 blocks away, but, my Labour coaches, DH and Mom work/live an hour away. Thanks ladies!

[To-Fu]

Wish I could help you! Unfortunately, this is my first and I just keep hearing, "Trust me, you'll know." I hope that's true.

[SeaDoula]

You know, this is my first as well...and although I have been to many births as a doula I found myself questioning the same thing. The only thing I feel when I get BH is that my uterus is tightening. I feel slightly different, and I definitely notice the difference with my hand on my belly but there is no sensation other then the tightening, no pain, or consistency, very VERY random and VERY spread out.

Just remember that BH are your uterus practicing, it is the choir tuning up and working on getting everyone in unison. BH is your uterus practicing getting all the muscle fibers to contract as one. When labor begins your contractions should have more of a pattern, be stronger, more frequent, all of the "brain" knowledge I am sure you already have. But like To-fu said...I really think that you will know, and if you don't your care provider will help you figure it out by asking some questions, etc.

[muttix2]

With my oldest, I didn't know even though everyone said I "just would". When I looked up what I was feeling in "What to Expect" I came up with a UTI. So I spent a full day in labor thinking I had a bad UTI (something else I'd never experienced). I even had my midwife call in a prescription for me because I just couldn't take the pain of the "UTI". Luckily I had bloody show before I got the meds the next day so I called the midwife thinking something was horribly wrong with me and she asked me about my symptoms again (I'd just informed her that I had a UTI when I called in the first place. Told her I was positive that was it, etc.) and she informed me that I did not have a UTI, I was in labor My water broke at the start of labor with my youngest.

This time I've been having lots of contractions. I keep my mind at ease by knowing that I'll notice if my contractions get harder/stronger/longer.

So, you may not immediately know that you are in labor but you will notice when your contractions get harder/stronger/longer. And hey, you can post here with your questions! Then we can say "Hey, you're in LABOR!"

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by muttix2

So, you may not immediately know that you are in labor but you will notice when your contractions get harder/stronger/longer. And hey, you can post here with your questions! Then we can say "Hey, you're in LABOR!"

Ha! I'm pretty sure this is exactly what I'll be doing, followed by phone calls to my MW and doula.

[Benji'sMom]

Not in your DDC, but:

My "real" contractions were like BH except they just didn't stop, and got stronger and closer together over 3 days.

[flapjack]

I had regular BH with dd2, and several bouts of false labour. When things finally took off, that last hour of effacing and dilating simultaneously at the end of prodromal labour HURT. I mean, really hurt, so bad that I rang the midwife and said "I don't care if I'm in labour or not, just get here with the gas and air." Everything stalled out, and from then on it was relatively painfree...

[impromptukiss]

i was talking to dh about this last night when i was having regular bh's ....

i compared it to a flat tire. you know how sometimes when you're driving, you think you might have a flat, and you get out & it's fine. then when you really have a flat, you're like "DUH! how could i have ever thought that last time was a flat?!" lol

[bizzibee1]

Thanks ladies! I just keep thinking that I won't really know. I guess this is a normal feeling