How did you know you were in labor?

Question

For first time moms/ your first pregnancy;
1.How did you know you were in labor? What were the signs?
3.What did you feel/experience?
4.And how far along were you? 
5.For mothers of more than one child; what were the differences from each time?
Just curious, nervous and preparing myself!:)

Answer

I had a stretch and sweep 3 days before my due date, I was 1cm and it didn't do much I felt normal and no signs, the day before my due date I lost my plug and run up and down the stairs, finally my due date came and no pains or anything so I ran up and down the stairs, walked around and danced, nothing! I was so tired I had a nap, suddenly I woke from my nap with pain in my back and pelvic area so I timed them, they was about 4 minutes apart and 60 seconds long, I rang L&D they said ring again when 3 minutes apart, so I timed them and had a bath they ranged from 1-3 minutes apart so I rang again and they said to come in the pains started around 3 and I went in around 6-8 ish I can't remember exactly, they wasn't that painful and I could walk and talk, I got to the hospital and was on a machine but I wasn't in labour, at one point I had 7 contractions in 10 minutes which was strange but while on the machine my waters broke and I was already 7cm! So I got wheeled to the birthing room now I was in labour, the mw said people normally dilated 0.5cm an hour but 1hour 48minutes later my baby girl was in my arms! No pain relief but I did have labial tears on both sides, now my little girl is nearly 6 weeks old! It's gone so fast I miss being pregnant so enjoy it while you can and get plenty of sleep, I love my baby girl so much and she's worth it even tho I'm only 18 she comes before myself and I be the best mum I can be ❤️🌸

Answer

As a FTM, i didnt know i was in labor. I started getting back pain but i thought that was due to bending over the sink to do the dishes. I went to bed and had the hardest time sleeping because the pain wouldnt go away but i still went in to work. It felt like constant pain but i did notice that at times, the pain would get worse and then ease off a little. Around 10am i called my doctor and she told me to come get checked out. I headed to the hospital around noon and the put me on monitors and sure enough, i was having real contractions 5 mins apart.
When they checked me, I was only 1cm and 80% effaced and after several hours, my contractions slowed down so the released us around 8pm. We made the hour long drive home and decides to set up and watch a movie together since it was friday. Around 10pm i went to sit down and my water broke like a gush which was pretty unmistakable. 
I was 35w when this happened and she was born Saturday at 2pm

Answer

I was 39+1 and I had back labour starting around 10 but it was maybe 2-3 contractions an hour. I had no idea it was not my whiplash. It became quiet uncomfortable around 5pm and so I had a bath after making and having dinner. At 7:30 I texted mum husband to come home because I was feeling awful and just wanted company. He got home 30min later and within 20 or so min I puked and that was my first clue that I was in labour. Then at 9:50 the midwife showed up and he was born 20 min later.

Answer

Ftm.

I didn't know I was in labor until 24 hours had already went by and I was still leaking fluid from the day before and I had my bloody show.  I had contractions all day the day before but they weren't consistent. Then they became consistent. I was really nervous and in a lot of pain. I was 40 weeks 3 days.

How did you know you were in labor?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey