Real Labor vs Braxton Hicks??

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By reading your other posts - you are 3 weeks from delivery.

My son, Greg, was due May 10th. I went into labor Jan 27th. I was on bed rest from that day forward. he delivered on Mar 26th.

Braxton hicks - they come and go.
Real labor pains? Get a watch and start timing them. If they happen at regular intervals - like every 15 minutes, then 12, then 10, they are real.

My water broke in the toilet with Greg. I walked out and told my husband and best friend "that was the best pee I had had since I was pregnant" - my best friend said 'You are in labor" I said - no way - I got 6 more weeks!! I went to take a shower and low and behold - they started - but I was close - every 5 minutes. We live 5 minutes from the hospital....from the time my water broke to the time he delivered was 4 hours and 59 minutes....

The real deal is consistent. Braxton come and go.

With my first I remember wondering the same thing. I can tell you the difference for me was it went from being uncomfortable to hurting like hell! With the 2nd I had very uncomfortable pressure and braxton hicks for about a week. I woke up in the middle of the night and when I stood up a little trickle (very little) of what I thought was pee ran down my leg. I went to the bathroom and went back to bed. Woke up a few hours later and the same thing happened again. I went in and it was my water breaking about 30 mins later the very painful contractions started. So my advice is you will just know. Its a feeling that you won't mistake! Good luck hope you have an easy delivery!

Braxton Hicks are what we used to call "warm-ups". Real labor keeps coming at seemingly regular intervals that get closer together and more intense. I would start checking the clock! Congrats and all the best!

well, the others put it pretty well :)
sometimes your water will break, sometimes it won't. every labor is different. you may feel a pop and have a big gush of fluid, other times it will just trickle a little. if it breaks, or you think it might have, head into the hospital.
labor contractions will increase in intensity and get closer together. when they've been about 5-10 minutes apart, lasting about a minute each, and strong, then head into the hospital. remember, they'll get to the point where you can't talk or text through them, that's strong..all you can do is get through it. if you change what you're doing and they stop, then they are braxton hicks. when they do start getting stronger, try taking a hot shower or warm bath. that will help you get through them. move around...don't just lay down..walk, shower, get on your hands & kness (especially if it's mostly back labor)..grab all the pillows you have and lay your belly right into them...it will help the baby to rotate. keep hydrated..either sipping water or chewing ice, maybe even a popsicle or two. you may not feel like eating much.
good luck!!
D. (ob nurse)

the real ones wont stop when u sit n try to relax and they will be more intense.

They keep going and get stronger and stronger. Try going to sleep, if you can nap - its not labor. Try taking a walk, if you can walk comfortably - its not labor. Change what you're doing and see what happens. I always got BH when I stood up or walked, but they stopped when I sat down. I always knew I was in labor because my water broke first. It took hours before I was in a phase where it was too uncomfortable to do anything and, had my water not broken, known it was the real thing.

Best wishes!