are they real contractions if they feel like BH but are regular?

[rach03]

I'm having to pay close attention to my contractions because I live 45 minutes from the hospital (in non-traffic hours!). My doctor wants me to head that way and walk around the mall that's right near the hospital when I feel like I'm getting any kind of regular contractions. Better safe than sorry, don't want to deliver in the car!

This morning I've been having contractions 15 minutes apart. It's really crazy, right on the hour, then :15, then :30, and so on. Makes timing them easy.

But they aren't feeling much different than a BH. When I have one it's kind of hard for me to breathe, but not because it's painful...just because it's tight and uncomfortable and it seems to be squishing my lungs up into my throat!

So how do you tell when they are real?

[diamond lil]

I'm curious too because I've had a lot of the same kind of contractions you just described - mine aren't regular yet, though.

Good luck to you!

[coyotemist]

When they start getting closer together usually they are real-or if your water breaks. If either of those things happen (like every 10 to 12 minutes apart-head to the mall) (water breaks head to the hospital) then most likely you are at the point of no return!

Hope it's your day!

[rach03]

Well I just had one at 12:26 so we're shifting up a bit. LOL!

I'll see if they start moving a little closer together. I don't want to drive across town for the heck of it, but I sure don't want to wait too long!

[bettie cracker]

my dr. told me today that pain isn't always an indication. the regularity (or increase in frequency) is key. I have a high pain tolerance.

Maybe try drinking/eating something. Take a warm bath, lay down. See if they let up at all. If they do, its not go time yet.

[mamamerle]

Mine felt like strong menstrual cramps. They hurt, but since I have a high pain tolerance, it was manageable. They also didn't radiate around to my back like I expected.

Write down the times to help track them. We went to the hospital when they were 2 minutes apart.

[veronicalynne]

Where does the pain originate? Mine would go from back to front low down where you would get menstrual cramps and were respectively....10, 6, 5, 8 etc minutes apart.....Guess what? I was in labor lol

[kris4chloe]

I had very regular braxton hicks for a few weeks before baby. For hours at a time, but they never got stronger or closer together. For me braxton hicks are just an uncomfortable tightening all over, sometimes feeling like they start at the top and work their way down. When I started having true contractions, they originate from way down low like really strong menstrual cramps and work their way up, and i did not get nearly the amount of tightening on the upper part of my belly like I would with a braxton hicks. It was almost like I could feel real contractions from the inside out and no one else really could tell, versus a braxton hicks my belly would get rock hard but were not very uncomfortable.

Just lay down and rest and see if they stick and they get stronger or closer together. Check for change in cm and/or bloody show for signs that they are the real thing getting you ready.

[rach03]

Thanks guys! They are still 15-20 minutes, have been all day...not getting any closer together. They aren't painful at all, but very uncomfortable and they make me not be able to breathe for a minute. That's not new, though...my BH have been cutting off my air supply for a few weeks now. I feel crampy on and off, too...so it's hard to tell if the crampy is related to the contraction or not.

I asked my OB to do a cervix check yesterday so I'm having some brownish discharge. I'll watch to see if it increases or anything, it's almost gone at this point.

[~Megan~]

For me BH is an all over or just at the top tightening or uncomfortable feeling while labor contractions are very low by my pubic bone.

[rach03]

I guess these are kind of hybrid contractions, LOL! I get the tightening all over and the crampy feelings way down low, but they just aren't painful yet.

They're still about 15-20 minutes apart. DH has his last appointment with a customer tomorrow at about 11 so he said for me to meet him out at the mall by the hospital and we'll have lunch and do some walking. Hopefully that will make them go closer together!

[holothuroidea]

Originally Posted by rach03

DH has his last appointment with a customer tomorrow at about 11 so he said for me to meet him out at the mall by the hospital and we'll have lunch and do some walking. Hopefully that will make them go closer together!

Awww that sounds really sweet.

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[bettie cracker]

Originally Posted by rach03

I guess these are kind of hybrid contractions, LOL! I get the tightening all over and the crampy feelings way down low, but they just aren't painful yet.

They're still about 15-20 minutes apart. DH has his last appointment with a customer tomorrow at about 11 so he said for me to meet him out at the mall by the hospital and we'll have lunch and do some walking. Hopefully that will make them go closer together!

They are probably real --- but just super early, if that makes sense. Hybrid is probably the best name. Mine are definitely feeling different than BH today too. Dull pain in the lower abdomen along with the tightening - but not closer than 15 minutes. Then they go away for a while.

[rach03]

I woke up during the night last night with some pretty strong crampy contractions! Only 2 that I remember, though...I either didn't have any more than that or slept through the rest.

I woke up about 20 minute ago and haven't had one yet. The plan is to go ahead and go to the mall just for the heck of it because walking makes me have contractions, and we figure going to the mall on a Friday is better than going on Saturday! I hate crowds.

Maybe the walking and the full moon will do it for me. Come on baby!

[heatherRN]

Rach, I am right there with you!
Yesterday I was having very regular BH, some of them with strong sensations down low. I decided I should try to get a early night sleep in case they were real and I woke several times during the night with very regular cramping sensations down low and tons of baby movement. I have been up now for 20 minutes and nothing.
GL mall walking! I walked the zoo yesterday and I think that was what brought on all those contractions. I think today I will take it easy.

[veronicalynne]

Labor vibes coming everyones way......

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