Just a question about early labor (I should know this since I have one already, but my water broke at 33 weeks with her before labor started). I am 33 weeks right now and have had contractions from early on--18 weeks or so. Sometimes they are regular, sometimes not--but they have never dilated me and always go away after a day or so, so I usually just don't even pay attention to them. Anyway, since Christmas I have been having more and more contractions--these won't go away and are getting closer together and more intense. I know I should call the dr, but I have had so many problems this pregnancy that I am terrified of calling and it being a false alarm (which it probably is), and they don't pay much attention to me as is (I told him Monday that I was having alot and he just said it was part of it!!). Anyway, on to my question: Do you have to have bloody show to be dilating? My contractions are very close together (around 5 minutes apart), but like I said earlier, I have had them this close together and never dilated. I just keep thinking that if this is the real thing I will start bleeding some--am I crazy? Please--any words from past experiences will be greatly appreciated!! TIA

By Mommyof4 on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 03:41 pm:

With my last dd I was dialtaed to a 5 and didn't know it...had no bloody show just felt kind of crampy all day. We had a dr appointment at 2:00 p.m and she examined me and told me I was already at a 5 and I had enough time to go home and get my bag and go straight to the hospital. I would call your dr and if they don't take you seriously then go the hospital...they will exam you and either admit you or send you home but either way you know for sure what is going on.

By Breann on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 04:32 pm:

I would call the doctor, or go into the hospital. Especially since your last labor was at 33weeks and that's where you are now. YOU are paying THEM a LOT of money. They owe you

Bloody show is common, but not necessary to confirm that you are in actual labor. With my DS I didn't have bloody show until I was at 6 cm. I kept watching and checking for it, but it just wasn't there!

Let us know what you decide to do. ((((hugs))))

By Colette on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 04:35 pm:

Call your doctor and remember THEY work for YOU not the other way around.

Good luck!

By Tink on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 05:26 pm:

I know that my braxton-hicks contractions were much stronger and more frequent with my 2nd and even stronger with my third. I had pre-term labor issues with my first and the dr told me that as long as I could comfortably breathe through them, they weren't real labor. Drink a couple of glasses of water and lay down on my left side. They always went away. That said, with your history of an early birth, the drs should be taking you more seriously. If you are this concerned, I'd call and ask to be examined.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 05:37 pm:

Ditto Colette! I had several false alarms with each pregnancy, but I had gone into labor with Jeff at 6 months and was hospitalized to stop the labor.

You can dilate without any signs or symptoms. If you are having regular contractions, I'd go in and get monitored at least. Better safe........

By Lauram on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 07:19 pm:

Call the dr! I had contractions starting at 28 weeks. I had to be on bedrest for 2 mo. I made it to 36 weeks. I had to go to the hospital 13 times though. Mine was called "prelabor" not false labor. It sounds very similar to what is happening to you. Try to sit down/lie down and guzzle lots of water (like a gallon). SOmetimes that helps. Definitely go in for a check though! I never had bloody show intil I was dilated- but that doesn't mean what's happening to you is false labor! If your contractions are regular, 5 min apart and you are 33 weeks, you need to call!

By Emdee on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 12:03 am:

Well, I spent all day wondering what was going on--convincing myself it was just a false alarm. Plus, someone mentioned that if you can breathe comfortably through them then it is probably false labor. That said, I didn't call in (again I was so terrified that it was a false alarm). Now I can't sleep because they are painful and still regular. Laying down makes them hurt worse and my thighs are aching, so I am up trying to get comfortable and hoping to make it to morning to go in. Why do things always happen when offices are closed? Anyway, Thanks to all for the words of advice!

By My2cuties on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 12:22 am:

PLease, if the signs have been there all day and are still there now and when you lay down and have drank plenty of water (to make sure it's not dehydration)..go to the hospital. I would rather be safe than sorry, so what if it is a false alarm...at least you will know. Do not hesitate to go in or call your doctor on call and see what he says.

From the internet:

The contractions of false labor tend to be irregular -- they vary in intensity, come and go and activity changes the nature of the labor. True labor will only become more regular.

Follow your instincts. If you feel it's time for you to be checked, then head to the hospital or birth center. You may need the reassurance that things are progressing normally or you may be comforted just by hearing your baby's heart tones.

Here are 7 questions to answer to see if it is the real deal.

1. How do the contractions feel? Labor contractions are felt low in the groin or in the lower back. They may radiate from front to back or back to front or down your legs. They are dull and crampy like menstrual or gas cramps. Prelabor contractions, which you may have been experiencing for months, feel like a tightening across your belly or like the baby suddenly stretched in all directions.

2. How strong are they? A good, business-like labor contraction is strong enough that you cannot walk or talk while you are having it.

3. How close together? To measure the contraction interval, time from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. You are looking for a mostly regular pattern three to five minutes apart. The usual advice, barring special considerations, is to make your move when they have been this close together for a couple of hours if this is a first baby and an hour if you have given birth before.

4. How long do they last? Contractions should last roughly a minute from start to finish. Sometimes in early labor they may seem to last much longer but that’s generally because they are mild enough that it’s hard to tell when they begin and end.

5. Has the pattern changed over time? Labor contractions will get longer, stronger, and closer together over time. Often contractions go along at one level and then intensify over a fairly short time period, say, an hour or two, as labor shifts gears from early to active phase. Prelabor contractions can sometimes be quite regular over several hours, but the pattern stays the same.

6. Does changing your activity affect them? Prelabor contractions usually peter out if you get them while you are active and switch to something relaxing such as taking a warm bath. Likewise, if you have been resting and get up and move around, they generally go away. You may be able to get labor contractions to back off somewhat, but with rare exceptions, nothing makes them go away short of having the baby.

7. Did your bag of waters break? If they broke with a pop or gush, the contractions that follow will almost certainly develop into progressive labor. With a slow leak, contractions may or may not lead anywhere.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 07:51 am:

Waiting to here something.............

By Emdee on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:59 am:

Well, I went in--not dilated any! This is so frustrating, the whole not knowing when the contractions get to a point that they are dangerous. They told me to take the Brethine to stop them. Anyway, thanks everyone!