Am I in Labor? - Leesburg,VA

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With your issues it would be wise to call labor and delivery and get their advice.

My contractions came and went. They were not constant pains.....They were about 15 minutes apart, then got closer together. I would call your doctor and see. They may want to see you...

I don't believe in the saying "you will know when you're in labor" because Ive had 3 kids and never knew when I was in labor. The first it was just a severe back pain. It was hard to sit, but nothing like everyone described. My aunt picked me up and she was the one who told me that I was for sure having contractions (I was 17 at the time). My 2nd I went to my dr appt @ 36 weeks and was having contractions every 3 mins and didn't know it. With my 3rd, I went in because I was having minor contractions, but he was breach and came c-section. Every labor experience is different, and sometimes you don't even know. I suggest calling just to be sure, especially if you are on bed rest and have other medical issues. *Just to be safe* :) Good Luck!!!

I had preterm labor every Wednesday the last 5 weeks and had no clue if it was time to go into the hospital or not. The Dr don't know either until they check your dilation and efacement. Those 2 things tell you how far from having a baby you are.
I walked around dilated at 5 with all 4 of my kids, but not efaced. Then I walked around at a 7, fully efaced when I went to see my OBGYN for a routine check-up. I had no clue I was having regular contractions and in active labor. 4 hours later I had major pain in my bottom and ready to cry. Then I knew I was in real labor.

I knew when I was in labor, no doubt about it. When my sister had her first baby a year ago, she complained of the type of labor that the previous poster said..."back pain that hurt like heck." In fact, I was with my sister at the hospital throughout her labor and her "pains" didn't at all resemble what my labors were like. It just goes to show that every woman is different, as is every pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Have you called your OB yet? With my sister, her back pain was constant but would become increasingly more painful in "waves" which is what labor is like for most women after the "wave" of intense pain subsided, she was still in pain, though. She endured this kind of pain for days but she's a R.N. and didn't feel the need to dash off to the hospital until she felt ready to go. By the time she did go, she was indeed in labor and dilated.
I would call your O.B. just to be on the safe side since you are only 36 weeks.

If you are having braxton hicks (practice contractions, you should have had these with the first one) your stomach will tighten and release off and on throughout the day. If you are having progressive contractions you will feel some pressure almost like period cramps. You need to start timing them as soon as you feel it, once they are 5 minutes apart consistently you are in labor and need to get to the hospital.

You do not seem to be describing this at all and since you have the other conditions I would just make a run to the ER or Urgent care to be sure there isn't something else going on. Sometimes your baby can be stressed and he/she needs to be monitored.

Good luck to you!

All labor can be different. Often when it first starts, it will feel like bad menstrual cramps (I had these when I was induced with my first).

Labor pain typically last for a few seconds to a few minutes and then subside. Then it will happen again. The contractions happen at regular intervals.

You should give you OB a call.

Go to the hospital-now!

My contractions started at 3:30 in the morning and were only 3-4 minutes apart for 14 hours until they broke my water, induced and I got an epidural...I'm not sure what the contractions felt like after that because I was blissfully unaware:)

I will say the 14 hours of contractions felt like either intense menstrual cramps or cramps associated with gastrointenstinal pain! They lasted for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and were only less than 5 minutes apart. From what I understand this is not the norm, but I definitely got to experience contractions a lot! If they seem cyclic, you are probably in labor.

Congratulations and I hope you are able to deliver soon...I know how those last few weeks of pregnancy can be pretty brutal!!! :)

my labor felt like cramps that wouldnt quit I bet you are