Am I in Labor

keep monitoring these pains and if they continue to come at regular intervals, and start to get closer together, then you will know it is labor. general rule of thumb is to go to the hospital when the pains have come every 5 minutes for about an hour. of course if they get even closer than 5 minutes, you should not delay! Since you've had problems with this pregnancy, I would err on the side of going to the hospital early rather than late.

Hello S.. While it is always good to err on the side of caution, cramps coming every 20 minutes is not a very promising sign of impending labor (so don't panic!). I had cramps every 20 (10, 15) minutes all the time during the third trimester of my second pregnancy (but of course, everyone is different).

Don't worry, my dear. Follow the suggestions below (eat, drink, shower, walk, nap) and then you might know for sure. But if they don't get any closer together, it's just the normal stuff. (Even so, it is still best to try and make them go away.) And it's never a bad idea to call your Labor and Delivery. They might be able to make you feel better and they might even tell you to come in so they can check you.

*Hugs*

Hi, S., and congratulations! I don't know what time you posted this, but when taking Bradley classes I learned a few things you should try to see if you're truly in labor or just having "false" labor. Try walking around a bit, taking a shower, eating, going to the restroom, and napping. If after doing any of these things your labor continues to progress and your contractions are regular then you're probably in labor. Also see if they get closer together. Even though your mucous plug comes out and you're dilated is no indication of when you will actually go into labor. We also learned that you may be dilated for days and weeks before actually going into labor. This happened to me with my first and I went for a walk, showered and then slept and my contractions stopped all together and then nothing happened for several days and I was so frustrated thinking that I'd never have my baby! Then about 5 or 6 days later I had her :o) My water broke and I felt no contractions until about 4 hours after my water broke. Then 4 1/2 hours later she was born. I hope that this helps and all is well with you! Best wishes!

Hi S.! I took Bradley classes for my first (and only) pregnancy and my instructor told me that the following signs will tell you the difference between labor and false labor. If you eat something and it doesnt go away, try drinking something. If it still doesnt go away, take a shower. False labor usually stops after a shower. If its still going, go for a walk. If its still going (in intervals that become closer together), the take a nap. It will benefit you either way. I know your anxious, but try to nap. If its false labor, it will go away. If its real labor, at least you will have some rest before you welcome your new baby! Try not to worry and you dont have to do these steps in order. Hope this helps.

**UPDATE** well i just posted this and the knowledgable woman below :o) wrote the same! Cool!

I was in labor with my second for a week. I was contracting every 15 minutes for days. I got sent home THREE times. Each time the nurses would have me drink tons of water while I walked the halls. You can contract if you're dehydrated. 33 weeks is too early to have that baby, so drink lots of water and rest.

hi S., with this situation when you had problems with pregnancy and your pubic bone is shifted , i think you must go to the hospital, even if you think its not easy, at this point the baby is not mature enough that you take risks, the mucous plug is lost , you are having pains in regular intervals though not close, and this is the second baby that could be very fast to come out... i think the delivery is close and thae baby would be too small at 33 week, coz of bone shifting this could be difficult delivery or anything, iam not scaring you but you need to be cautious.. you should be in hospital
another thing to care about is keep on counting babies movement and if you have anything like a stethescope or baby prenatal sound moniter pls check the babies heart rate ..should be between 120-160 beats /minute.. hope everything will be fine with you and baby.

Hi S.,
I agree with what the other ladies have said the one piece of advise I have is if you can wait until your water breaks. I went with my first when I started having cramps and they ended up giving me pitocin and breaking my water NOT fun. My second & third I didn't go until my water had broke it was a lot faster and easier. If you can stay home as long as possible let nature take its course. You shouold try and lay down and rest hopefully that will help you are still a little early so you don't want to have the baby yet if possible but also my son was born at 34 weeks and was perfectly fine we both went home the following morning. Good luck and be ready in case it is time. Best of luck. May God give you a pain free delivery & healthy child.

You need to get into your doctor and/or the ER just to get checked out. At a minimum you need to call your DR & tell him/her your symptoms. At 33 weeks you cannot afford to chance this.

HI S., please go to the dr right away, you don't want to risk anything and at 33 weeks, they would still consider your baby a preemie....my grandson was born at 34 weeks and he needed to stay in the NICU for two weeks so i woujld say better safe than sorry...Good Luck and please let us know what happens.

M.

I hope everything is ok... just wanted to add the losing your mucus plus is NOT an indication of labor (a common misconception).