How did you know you were going into labor?

Question

Just curious! 39 weeks and I swore something was going on because I was contracting every 6-4 minutes from 8am till I got to the hospital at 9pm and was having terrible cramps and lightening crotch along with it; of course everyone had me convinced I was in labor and told me to go to the hospital ASAP; mind you it's such a hassle because my hospital is 45 minutes away... Anyways as soon as I got to the hospital they stopped and I was sent home 20 minutes later. I guess they were just Braxton hicks.. They were so consistent though? I'm currently 39w2d now and been 1cm and 50% effaced since 38 weeks :(
So I'm wondering how did you know you were going into labor? What made you realize shoot, it's time?! I'm a FTM too so I'm new to this!

Answer

I had multiple episodes like yours. Once I get on the hospital bed with the monitor for 30 minutes, the contractions stop. When I actually went into labor, I wasn't sure if I should go because it was the middle of the night and I didn't want to be sent back again but my mother convinced me. The difference that time was that the contractions were not just regular. They were increasing in intensity and getting closer together. By the time we got to the hospital, they were almost 2 minutes apart and I couldn't speak during them.

Answer

With my first I waited until my contractions were 4-5 mins apart and they were much much stronger like strong!!! Because my water didn't break or anything. Also my pain was back and belly.
With my second my water was breaking lil by lil like a period but with water type of thing no contractions no pain so I waited like  3 hrs to see if it was consistent so then it was, then realized it was my water breaking slowly. Went in 4 hrs later bam baby#2

Answer

Following

Answer

For me it was the shower. I've been in pain throughout my whole pregnancy. I took hot baths twice a day the whole 9 months. Yes, seriously. Well on the day I started contracting I took a warm bath and the pain eased a bit like usual but only for a little while,  unusual. In the middle of the night next day it had gotten worse. They were 5 mins apart but this time the warm bath didn't help at all.. like nothing. I knew this was it. I was told that braxtons are not consistent,  they shouldn't hurt,  and can ease out. Contractions on the other hand will be consistent and so I had also downloaded a contraction timer. They were on schedule from early morning Sunday 8 ish to Monday morning at 430 am. That's the time I went.

Answer

I had a big gush of "water" as I laid down, thought I peed myself, butttt it wouldn't stop. My water leaked for awhile. My grandma had me walk around the house for 4 and a half hours. As soon as I got to the hospital, my labor stopped, but could not be sent home due to my water already breaking so I had to be induced.

How did you know you were going into labor?

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