The real thing or just practice-for already done it mama's

[upnorthmama]

I need a refresher on what it actually feels like to go into labour. It was sooo long ago with my first and I was really young. I can't remember.

All day I have been having what I believe to be real contractions. Feels almost like period pain/diarrhea. Low back ache. Tightening. About 10-15 min apart. They are not getting any stronger. Have been consistent through the day. Couple that with the bowling ball pressure between my legs and the stabbing tinges in the cervix. Plus the ridiculous amount of constant drip of whatever is coming our my vagina. I have soaked two pairs of panties today.

I know that real labour will progress-but is this not real???? Can this mean that I am close.

What was your 2nd baby like? Did you "know" that it was real? Will I know for sure?

Oh man...help me out

[chely7425]

I have no ideas for you... I'm still worried I won't know I'm in labor... everyone says you will know though

[lobster]

I've had a few rounds with false labour in the past couple of weeks that were much like what you describe. It was enough to fool me into thinking that it was TIME! and that I was actually going into labour - and I gave birth just 18 short months ago, you'd think I'd KNOW if it was real labour or not! Sigh.

Here's hoping that your time comes soon, and this is it for you!

[celestialdreamer]

I am the wrong one to ask I was induced with my first and didn't feel ctx until they were quite strong on the monitor. With my second I had false labor for WEEKS and joked I wouldn't know when it was real. And I didn't When real labor finally kicked in it felt like my bladder hurt or something and then it got more rhythmical very quickly. By the time I hit "active" labor it was at most 1.5hrs before he was born. My MW didn't make it in time I seem to so far be following the same pattern and even tonight I'm having a lot of crampiness and I have no idea what's going on. This is my 3rd baby so you'd think I'd have a clue : My DH is working late and all my childcare options are sick with colds...so tonight would be bad! I think most women *do* know when they are really in labor though, I'm just a weirdo!

[Incubator]

if it makes you feel any better....



My mom thought I was gas... she was up late watching "the glass slipper" and thought she just needed to go to the bathroom, so she goes over and over, and nothing is happening, then she realizes she's AWFUL close to that 40 week mark, and goes to wake up her mothers' husband. I was born about 20 minutes after she got to the hospital... and I was her second baby!

[Phoebes*mom]

I went into labor last sunday and here's how it progressed...

No contractions at all that day. I was actually out shopping all day. I got back from Blockbuster and was eating my Qdoba taco salad when I felt a gush. I told DH that I think my water broke, and we headed to L&D not really sure if it was real or not. It took several hours for L&D to determine that yes, indeed, my water did break. By then, I knew I was in labor. The contractions were getting strong and were pretty evenly spaced.

Keep in mind that my labor was quick. My water broke around 5:30 and DD was born around 11:25. So, the whole process was less than 6 hours!

Other than the water breaking, I felt that pressure and I was extremely grumpy that weekend.

Good luck to you! I know you want the end to be near, but cherish those kicks from the inside. Pretty soon, you'll have to share you're little one.