How do you know if they're contractions?

Question

I'm 37 weeks, lost my mucus plug, had bloody show yesterday morning, had diarrhea and upset stomach all night last night. I'm 3cm dilated and his head is very low. My doctor keeps asking if I'm having contractions but I'm not sure. I'm a ftm so everything is new. I have a sore back and butt and my stomach keeps getting rock hard. I don't have much cramping though or major belly pain. I'm confused :-/ they want me to watch for contractions to be my sign to go in.

Answer

The stomach tightening is a contractions  as they progress they'll start to get painful

Answer

I've had Braxton hicks for nearly 15 weeks now. A BH contraction will feel like your stomach gets rock hard and then after half a minute slowly releases. It is uncomfortable but not painful. I only mention the BH because I finally decided to time them during a meeting the other day and they were 3 minutes apart for 30 minutes. I called my dr and they asked me if the contractions took my breath away or stopped me from walking. When I said no then she said they were probably Braxton Hicks. I was told to go home, lay on my left side and drink lots of water for an hour. She said to continue timing them to see if they got closer together or more painful and strong. Those would be the reasons to go to the hospital to get checked. Have you tried laying on your left and drinking water to see if they stop? Mine stopped when I did that and I'm at 35 almost 36 weeks now. Good luck dear!

Answer

Contractions for me felt like minor period cramps when they started. They'd go aroused my lower back (someone experience this, some dont) and my stomach woukd tighten. You should be able to time them.

Answer

My doctor said any time your stomach gets hard is a contraction.

Answer

At 37+2 now I'm still having the tightening and back pain. They've become more painful but I have a hard time timing them. I'm just assuming that it's not my time yet.

Answer

You're getting close to having baby

Answer

I'm following this because I had bad diarrhea Wednesday for no real reason... And I have had really bad back pain since Wednesday also so much that I had to leave work. Also my belly is rock hard too. Also feeling off.... Just haven't lost my plug.

How do you know if they're contractions?

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