Post # 1

Member
1471 posts
Bumble bee
Okay, I know that lots of women struggle with figuring out when they are in labor, but I’m at a total loss.
I’m 39 weeks tomorrow. Starting last night, I was having a number of contractions. I didn’t count them or time them, and they weren’t hurting (at all), so I went to bed. Throughout the night, I woke up a couple times, and each time, I was in the middle of a contraction, but didn’t figure it meant anything.
This morning I woke up, and again, I’m having contractions that I can’t feel. They’re lasting 2-3 minutes or longer, and they’re about 2-3 minutes apart. But I can truly barely feel them. I can only be sure I’m having them by feeling my stomach with my hand. I’m “supposed” to go to the hospital when they’re 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long–which I’m clearly past if these are real.
So, I guess my question is, how do you know?? What is this? What do I do? (Haha). I will call the doctor in a bit–I want to actually time some contractions all the way through, first (I was giving up earlier because I thought there was no way they were really lasting 2 minutes).
Post # 3

Member
575 posts
Busy bee
I was induced so can’t help to much! They could be real contractions and will progressively get worse? Mine werent bad till 4-5cm. Good Luck!!!
Post # 4

Member
6998 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I haven’t had my baby yet so I have no idea but call your OB! They will tell you if you should head to L&D or not. Good Luck! keep us posted!
Post # 5

Member
575 posts
Busy bee
Wow a 2-3 min contraction is long! My cousin had contractions she couldn’t feel, and was in labor but I don’t know how common that is.
My LO is one month today. My contractions hurt and felt like my whole stomach, front to back and top to bottom was contracting in on itself, painfully! It took my breath away and Darling Husband had to remind me to breathe. It also bowled me over, like I had to bend over when I stood. I assume your water hasn’t broke? Have you called your doctor? I don’t know what to advise. Mine were painful and 8 mins apart when I headed to hospital and I was dilated to a 3 when I arrived…
Good luck!!
Post # 6

Member
1026 posts
Bumble bee
Call your OB BUT…. my best friend had this happen with her first and they weren’t real contractions yet. I was with her and they were regular- 5 minutes apart- but they didn’t hurt. They told her to go to the hospital and she ended up being sent back home because they were just BH contractions. She said when she did start having real ones a couple of days later, it was not the same. They were PAINFUL. She said, “You’ll know.”
Post # 7

Member
6825 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Mine felt like cramps from having your period that lasted few minutes at a time. I would call your doctor
Post # 8

Member
1471 posts
Bumble bee
@travellingfool: That’s my guess about what’s happening. I mean, these can’t really be real…
@Sassygrn: I have been feeling period-like cramps today as well, which hasn’t been a typical symptom for me.
When I did a non-stress test this week at the doctor, I was having contractions 2-4 minutes apart that I couldn’t feel even a little, so this is an increase in how much I can feel, even though it’s still really low.
I did call the doctor, waiting for a call back (will probably be a couple hours). My water definitely hasn’t broken.