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I was convinced I wasn’t in real labor because everything I was reading online was saying real contractions get longer and stronger starting at your back and wrapping around to the front. I was having contractions 2 mins apart for over an hour but the only pain was in my lower abdomen - like all the other Braxton Hicks I had had during pregnancy. I was fully prepared to be sent home from the hospital but actually got admitted. This was at 4:45 AM - my son was then born at 7:33 AM that same morning. While I was home the only real indication that I might be in real labor was the fact that while I was puking... my mucus plug came out. My water never broke, and I didn’t feel real (as described online) contractions until I was about to start pushing. Long story short - you know your body best, trust your gut.
Frustrated
Is it just me, or does it seem like every article, website, doctor, midwife, nurse, doula, etc., all give different information regarding contractions and how to tell if you are really in labor?
Here is the most recent example. This morning, I had painful contractions that lasted over an hour without any break in between. I’m 38 & 3. So I woke up my husband, kids & my mom to come get the kids and called my doctor with everything ready to go to the hospital. By this time, they stopped. 🙄 The midwife informed me over the phone that Braxton Hicks can be painful and intense like that. 😳 My doctor told me two weeks ago that I have not been having Braxton Hicks, but rather real contractions (primordial labor) because Braxton Hicks are not painful. 🤷🏼♀️ Midwife also said that contractions will have a break in between. Well, with my first child, I had no break in contractions and she knows that.
Obviously, I wasn’t in labor, but what gives with all of the conflicting info????
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I feel... a contraction is just that... your uterus contracting whether it’s contracting to dilate you and you go into labor or preparing your body for labor.... They are all REAL!
Ni
This is exactly what my midwife said today! Even with all the contractions I’ve been having, I’m still not dilated or softened at all at 39 & 4. 😕
So much misinformation I agree. It’s sad. I’ve experienced all of these and TBH it’s hard to distinguish early labor from active labor based on timing and intensity. Everyone’s body is different! Pain tolerance and regularity/irregularity of contractions. In summary:1. BH = uncomfortable but not painful 2. Early labor/prodromal labor = Real Labor; painful contractions that may come and go but may or may not intensify; sometimes timeable contractions but fizzle out over time. May cause dilation up to 4cm3. Active labor = painful and intense contractions; timeable contractions that intensify and does not fizzle our; dilation from 4-5cm to about >8cm When in doubt, go to L&D to get checked. Always trust your gut!
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