Can you miss being in labour?

Question

Hey ladies,

I have 9 weeks to go and I'm starting to panic and worry and be more hormotional than I was last week.

I'm struggling to relax with the fear of the Unknown (first time mom) and I'm worried that I'll miss signs of labour... I know that sounds stupid but I don't know if I've had Braxton Hicks, I know I've had bad cramps where I've doubled over and then I need to rush to the toilet but I've heard BH are supposed to be painless..

Has anyone 'missed' their labour?

**I just wanted to say thank you for not making me feel stupid about thinking I'll miss being in labour and thank you for sharing your experiences**

Answer

Yup. Woke up and thought I was dehydrated or had terrible gas pains. Turns out, I was in full blown labor. Labored at home from 3am until 1pm (which is when my scheduled doctors appt was). I was scheduled to have an NST- they hooked me up but I was in so much pain I couldn't finish and had them take it off. Doctor checked me, said I was going to L&D. When he checked on me after I delivered he said the nurses were shocked when he called over there and told them he was sending someone from the office that was already in active labor. If you wake up with pains 3-4 minutes apart lasting about 60 seconds each, go to the hospital... you're in labor. Take it from me 😂😂

Answer

It's definitely not like the movies. It is possible to miss signs, but also very rare. Braxton hicks are painless, but real contractions are not. Your whole stomach gets real tight and it kinda feels like period cramps. Labor is different for everybody. I knew when I was in labor with my first. It didn't hurt that bad in early labor, but it was unlike anything I had felt. It was 5:30 am I was on the phone with my husband and he was on his way to work. I was eating cereal and all of sudden I felt funny. My belly felt funny. I said what was that? And told husband what happened. About 10 mins later it happened again. I told husband to turn around. Sure enough it was labor. I had him at 6:03pm that day. I had a doctor appt that morning but my doctor was at the hospital, so they sent me there to get checked. My doctor was actually in another room with a mom who was pushing(I was crowning) when I started pushing and my parents said she went running down the hall tearing off gown, gloves, and mask. I didn't get an epidural and the nurses were not really use to that and telling me to stop pushing, but it's almost impossible when you get the urge.

Answer

My first two I knew when I was in labour but with my third I had regular, uncomfortable BH for weeks. I went to hospital twice because of them making me think I was in labour but I wasn't. Then it happened again and I didn't think much of it, the BH were uncomfortable but not painful. 10 minutes later I had my baby on the lounge room floor!

Answer

Braxton hicks are painless in the beginning of pregnancy. They can become more intense the further along you are. So no they are not always painless. As far as actual labor you WILL know. I remember with my first I woke up at 4am to contractions and I just knew they weren't like the Braxton hicks I was having days prior. I went took a bath but couldn't sit there very long. I got out grabbed paper and a pen took out my timer and started timing. Drank a glass of water layed on my left side for 30 minutes they wouldn't stop. At that point I knew they were the real deal. I kept timing until they were 5 min apart and I called the doctor and headed to the hospital. I will give you a heads up I got to the hospital hooked up to machines and sure enough it was true labor. I had my son the next day at 4am. You will know when it's time. No one knows your body better than you :)

Answer

Well, i was in labor for 48 hours and for the first 24 I honestly had no clue. I remember waking up a few times and turning over but I was able to go back to sleep. Now that I know what was going on I realize it was labor. Once the contractions really started (active labor) I knew without a doubt.

Answer

Braxton hicks are not always painless.

Answer

It's extremely rare to miss it!

Answer

I was afraid I wouldn't know when it was time to push. And kept asking the nurse how I would know. You should know when you feel contractions. The day I was in labor I kept googling "difference between labor and false labor pains of difference between labor and Braxton hicks" if your having consistent contractions I'd go to hospital. Better be safe then sorry. I down loaded a contractions app. And I had a ton of pressure towards the last few hours I was in labor.

Answer

I worked all day on the 3 rd and to the er on the 4th because I was bleeding. Come to find out I was 4cm and 100% effaced. :/ I was 8 weeks early but had my baby girl on the 6th after them stopping my labour for 48 hours

Answer

You won't miss it. I never felt Braxton hicks. Labor hurts, you will know when the time comes and it usually takes a long time.

Can you miss being in labour?

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