Five Weeks Away and My Contractions Are 10 Mins Apart. Can This Be Labor?

Updated on November 29, 2011
J.G. asks from Belvidere, NJ
10 answers

Can Braxton Hicks contractions be rhythmic? Putting my feet up helps,and my contractions become further apart and less intense, but as soon as I stand up to do anything, my contractions come back. They don't hurt, but they are more intense than the braxton hicks I'm used to. Can this be labor? When should I call my Dr?
Thanks Mamas!
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So What Happened?

Not labor. Just a little false labor brought on by stress, dehydration and overexertion. My little bun is still in the oven! Thanks for all of your answers and reassurance- you guys are great!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

Call the doc now and go to the hospital. If this is really labor, you really need to be there so that they can stop the contractions. It is too early to have that baby. His or her lungs are probably not ready and it could be a long haul in the NICU.

Please, don't hesitate here. If they send you home with Braxton Hicks, it will be fine. If you are in labor, they can stop it if it hasn't gone on too long. Labor is like a pebble rolling down a hill. If they can catch it before it gains too much speed, they can stop it. If it goes too far, they can't. Best to get in there and let them monitor you!

Let us know!
Dawn

1 mom found this helpful

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

drink several glasses of water.. lay down on your left side and rest.

the contractions should stop. if they do not call the dr or go to the hospital..

they can stop the labor if you are not too dilated.

3 moms found this helpful
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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Call your doc right away!
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.T.

answers from New York on

Could be labor, could not be labor. Since you're preterm, it would be wise to call your own doctor. YOu don't need to head right to the hospital. Someone will be covering at your doctor's office. Typically, genuine labor comes with contractions that become stronger, last longer and come closer together progressively, they don't go back and forth. They dont' weaken or stop when it's genuine labor. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Yes, this can be labor. Don't sit around. Call your triage desk or whomever you need to call at the hospital and take it from there. If this isn't false labor, at 10 minutes apart you might not have time to get to the hospital, so don't wait to call. The nurse will let you know what to do.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Call doctor to be on safe side.

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

If you're in labor, the contractions will NOT get better when you rest. You won't be comfortable sitting or standing or laying down or in any position. You won't be able to talk, breath, type, or do anything through a contraction it will be so painful. You're not in labor. It's Braxton-Hicks.

My bet is, though, that you ARE dehydrated since they're coming every ten minutes and go away when you're sitting/resting. You need to drink a few glasses of water until they stop and you need to continue resting while you do so.

However, none of us are doctors including me so it couldn't hurt to call your OB and let them know what's going on if you're unsure. But I'm pretty sure you're not in labor.

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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

What Lisa said and don't hesitate to call Dr. Mine always said it's his job. That's why he went to med school.

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I had this happen. Only it was the left side only... Call your doctor. Talk to him/her and see what is said. I ended up being late by a week so turned out fine.

M.H.

answers from New York on

Get the bags ready. I went into labor 5 wks early. Call the doctor.

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