Need advice! Braxton hicks or labor?? update in comments

Question

So I feel like an idiot. I should know what contractions feel like(this is my third) but I don't feel like these are contractions. Since lunch I've felt like I've got period like achy cramps in my belly, hips, and lower back. Has gotten stronger through out the day. I've taken it easy all day so I haven't over done it. Drank plenty of fluids. I took a strong antibiotic on Friday for an infection so it can't be a UTI. Baby is moving good. I'm not constipated. Took a warm bath about an hour ago, along with Tylenol. Sitting with my feet up and drinking water now. Hasn't gotten better. My doctor is 2hrs away. I called them-they told me to do all the things I've already done and if it doesn't help to go to the hospital. I need advice!! I really don't want to drive that far for false labor or them to tell me nothing is going on. Help!! What would you do?

Answer

I don't know for sure, but I had a day two weeks ago where I was having period like cramps all day long. They didn't feel anything like what I expected contractions to feel like. Just kind of a dull ache low in my pelvis. It got worse when I stood up. The pain was never really that bad...maybe a 3 or 4? But, the pain lasted all day and resting wouldn't make it go away, fluids, etc. So I finally went up to L&D feeling like an idiot because I was sure it was nothing but couldn't relax about it. Turns out, it was early labor and I was given meds to stop my contractions and steroids to boost baby's lungs in case I delivered early. I think if you've done all the things your doctor told you to do and the pain hasn't stopped, then you should probably just make the drive and go. It will suck if you're fine and you drove all that way, but it will suck a whole lot worse if it is early labor and you didn't go 😕

Answer

I know everyone has their own thoughts on this, but I work with a former OB nurse whose office used to tell patients to try a small glass of wine.  Apparently alcohol calms BH contractions easily but does little for true labor.  I tried it once before when my uterus was being super irritable and it worked like a freakin charm.  Anyway, not trying to get flamed - just sharing.

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UPDATE: I took another dose of Tylenol before bed and drank plenty of water last night. Was up a lot to go potty and I had a pressure like I needed to go #2. Lots of tossing and turning. The cramping continued til about 4:30am. So I finally went to the couch. I woke up at 7am on my back and all the cramps were gone. Thank God! I still feel this pressure in my tailbone. I looked at myself in the mirror and wow baby dropped a ton over night!! Maybe that's the pressure I'm feeling. Thank you everyone that commented. Was planning to go to the doctor this morning if I still was in a lot of pain. Glad I don't have to go now.

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I don't have any advise, but I'm praying for you and your little one to be safe! :)

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I've had days where I feel cramps like a period and then it goes away I just think it's stretching in inside as baby grows I've had it a day or two every few weeks or so and it's normal as we work through our third trimester to feel more bh and also stronger or more aches or cramps as body starts preparing for labor and this is my third as well and I've noticed more of this with this pregnancy over my last two I believe the more icky days of cramps or aches we have now that our bodies will be better prepared come real labor time and hopefully labor will be easier ( hopefully lol) but as long as it's kinda just there like a constant nuisance and doesn't come in waves like contractions or the pain doesn't grow in intensity then I'd just rest try to sleep and see how you feel in the morning... good luck momma

Answer

I've had the same thing happen a few times. My dr just said that I will know when it's the real deal. (Not able to talk, catch my breath and etc) I feel like I get bad period cramps and need lay down. But it's more of a constant than something that comes and goes. So there really isn't anything that I feel like I could time. If that makes since. He's said my body's just preparing its self for delivery 😬

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I'd like to add I was induced with my first two. I don't know what it feels like to go into labor on my own. I think I'll wait it out for a bit.

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Doesn't sound like BH. Maybe labor, I've had spontaneous labor with my two kids but both times I lost my mucous plug first before I started having contractions. Real contractions felt cramp like and progressively stronger and more painful..they're more regular and when I could TIME them to about 10 min apart or less then I knew it was time. I hope you're ok!

Answer

Have you timed them? Minutes apart?

Need advice! Braxton hicks or labor?? update in comments

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