Ok so when you have "real contractions" does your stomach always tighten up ??? And if you are having back contractions will your stomach also tighten?? I am 39 wks and on bedrest due to high BP and I have to go back to L&D in the morning so I will ask the to check me...but I have noticed today that I have drastically dropped I cant see my belly button anymore I know its still poking out cause I can feel it I just can no longer see it when I look down...yesterday I could see it still and had an Ob appt and was not dialated at all and I seem to be having little crampy feelings for a min or less and shooting pains to my coota that last about 10 sec so far they are not a certain time period apart just off and on for the past few hours along with dull kinda tingly feeling in my lower back ... I am just really anxious for him to be here I havent had any leaking or water break or had any signs of loosing my mucus plug which I have heard some women dont loose until they are in full labor I just need a opinion on whether or not Im just feeling BH or it can finally be the real thing since I have dropped and waddling to and from the bathroom because he is down so low ? Thanks
Update:ok I know he has dropped drastically because I can feel his head under my stomach on the upper portion of my coota ...I understand that people can drop wks before birth which I had a little bit since 33 wks but I cant see my belly button ...... are all contractions "painfull" or did some of you have dull pains I know they arent BH because those hurt a hell of alot worse than what I am feeling now
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It's not labor but you are close! My little guy dropped a week before he was born. I had back labor, and didn't know it. If the pain increases in intensity from the contractions and they start becoming regular, that is active labor. Hope this helps and best wishes for an easy delivery!
With full blown labor, you will usually have pain that will start in the lower back and come around the front and your abdomen will tighten. Sometimes when you are that far along braxton hicks are painful. But, chances are your body is prepping for imminent labor. As far as the plug thing goes, I have never seen mine and I have had 2 kids going on 3. Labor won't always be regular right away. Sometimes you'll have a wierd pattern, but if you feel the need, go to the womans center and get checked. Or the ER wherever your supposed to go. Some woman are lucky and don't feel a whole lot when they first start. Dropping or lightening, often means the baby is getting into position and you getting close. Good luck to you honey, I hope everything works out. My grandma used to say when the timer(your belly button) pops the baby is ready! Good luck.
When it is real contractions you'll know. I know that doesn't help, but I can't tell you without demonstrating. I had BH for 20 weeks, was in the hospital about 4 times and dialating, but when the real contractions came, they took me to my knees and I have a really high pain tollerance! I had a hard labor though. You'll just know. My back pain was like a dull pain and no matter how I sat, layed, or anything it didn't help. I had back pain from like 1pm on tuesday until my labor pains started about 10 on wednesday...
Yes with real contractions my stomach was as hard as it could ever be...
Sounds like baby has dropped... which, sadly, does not mean labor. My baby has dropped at week 32 ans am now 36 weeks pregnant...
As for the other questions, I will let everyone else answer as I am not experienced ... :P
As for how to differenciate BH from real labor : real labor is regular in time. It will get more and more frequent. If you take a bath, it may make the contractions worst (it gets labor further)
BH : Not regular, might go as you relax, take a bath or drink lots of water.
yes, hard as a brick! back labor is bad! I had it all 3 times and the pain does not let up. It is real labor when you cannot talk through a contraction from the pain or feel like you can't catch your breath. You may be close! Good Luck!
I never felt anything in my tummy. My contractions all started in my back and sort of radiated internally and towards my front. Never in my actual tummy though. It was very intense pain and towards the end i could feel her head grinding against my tailbone or spine on top of the very painful contractions. Wait and see you will know about it soon if its the real deal.
Your stomach still tightens... the contractions last for about a minute.
those are pressure pains from the baby dropping and you will continue to get these until birth. sorry no labor yet.