3rd trimester
How to recognize real contractions?
Zina
Hi ladies,
I’m 36 weeks pregnant now and I’m starting to get more discomfort from hardening bellies, false labor, and engagement contractions this last week. So I often get menstrual cramps, groin pain, and when my belly hardens, I mainly notice that it really affects my breathing. I really have to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen. Yesterday I had these symptoms (especially the lack of oxygen and the hardening belly) every 7 minutes, and I also noticed during these moments that a huge wave of heat came over me. I really thought it was time, but when I lay down in a warm bath, they subsided.
I realize that I’m starting to doubt more and more whether I’ll recognize it when it’s REALLY time, especially since I already have so much discomfort. So I’m opening this topic to hear from you if you have any tips, recognize my complaints, or share your birth stories—they’re always welcome!
Best,
I’m 36 weeks pregnant now and I’m starting to get more discomfort from hardening bellies, false labor, and engagement contractions this last week. So I often get menstrual cramps, groin pain, and when my belly hardens, I mainly notice that it really affects my breathing. I really have to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen. Yesterday I had these symptoms (especially the lack of oxygen and the hardening belly) every 7 minutes, and I also noticed during these moments that a huge wave of heat came over me. I really thought it was time, but when I lay down in a warm bath, they subsided.
I realize that I’m starting to doubt more and more whether I’ll recognize it when it’s REALLY time, especially since I already have so much discomfort. So I’m opening this topic to hear from you if you have any tips, recognize my complaints, or share your birth stories—they’re always welcome!
Best,
Replies
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irma Guest #2
False labor can be really tough and make you feel unsure, so push through it or not? But real contractions are powerful and come quickly one after another.
Here the water broke at 2 AM and she was born at 9:33 AM. -
Pebbles #3
Real contractions felt different to me than false labor. If they come regularly every 5 minutes and don't stop, I'd assume those are the real ones.
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fadila #4
I also had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and hardening of the belly during all my pregnancies.
Braxton Hicks can be uncomfortable and feel painful, but they come irregularly.
True labor contractions start an hour apart, then half an hour apart, then every quarter of an hour, and then less and less, and then you feel them a lot more painful!!! You will definitely recognize them.
I had cervical changes due to Braxton Hicks and hardening already at 34 weeks... and at 38 weeks I gave birth. I am now pregnant with my 4th child, 29 weeks.
If you have any questions, you can always ask me.
Good luck! -
Miss Butterfly #5
I had prodromal labor, so there was definitely some regularity (so it can happen). Just not that fast. I had contractions every twelve minutes. I think the difference is really the pain. This just can't be it. Okay, it hurt, but not intensely. So I assume that if it really hurts badly and they eventually come closer together, then it's serious. Real contractions should get worse, I think. Now, it was basically four hours straight of the same thing. They did say it stops with heat and stuff, but not this time. (The first time it did, the second time it didn't). Eventually, I also called the midwife because I wasn't sure anymore, but she could already tell from the way I was talking (that I could still chat so easily) that it wasn't serious.
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