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I've been wokin up now with more contractions. I am curious as to why when i have a contraction my stomach itches like crazy. Is it because my uterise is contracting? Not sure on why this is please inlighten me. ;) ↓
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| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 12:05 PM |
| Could be. They are likely Braxton Hicks contractions rather than labour contractions. It's not uncommon to experience an itchy stomach in pregnancy. Probably just your skin being stretched during the tightenings. ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 12:14 PM |
| I already know Im past the braxton hicks portion cause I was in the hospital Saturday. But I think there just getting to be intense enough to start moving this baby along alittle faster. Apart of me is ready to get it over with because the contractions for the past 4-5 days is starting to bother me but then the other part is just wanting to stay home. ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 12:37 PM |
ummmm contractions are considered braxton hicks until you are in actual labor even if you've had some preterm symtoms.
And no offense but it seems like one thing after another with you......this is your second baby you iknow what labor feels like.........your going to know when actual labor starts........you've claimed since you've came to this site that you were going to deliver this baby early.........I still think alot of this is just paranoia because of your first baby coming pre term......I'm no Dr. and could be wrong but alot of things you complaim about are very normal in preg. such as an itchy stomach has nothing to do w/ your contractions......sry if this makes you mad no intention to...... ↑ |
| Name: FatallyYours | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 1:01 PM |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 2:42 PM |
| Yeah, you don't get past the Braxton Hicks part until you're in labour. And you aren't in labour. You'd know about it if your were. lol. Braxton Hicks contractions are just practice contractions, to prepare your body for actual labour (which you won't be going through so don't worry!) They are harmless, and I'm sure that's what you have. I had intense Braxtons Hicks contractions for weeks and weeks. But labour contractions are very VERY different. ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 3:31 PM |
Nicole, I've read M25's response and she is right. You're probably paranoid because your previous baby was born preterm. And I know it's easy to worry.
But you are not in labour. It's Braxton Hicks contractions you're experiencing; they're just becoming more and more intense as your pregnancy progresses. Mine did. Some were so intense near the end that they were a little sore and they lasted longer and longer as time went on. You may well be in the early stages of labour, but that doesn't mean you're in the first stage of labour. When someone tells you you're in the early stages of labour, it means your body is preparing for labour more intensely, more braxton Hicks contractions, a bloody show, loss of the mucus plug, diarrhea, are signs that labour is imminent. But they are not all reliable, as I had those signs from 37-38 weeks, and I had to have my labour induced at 41 weeks.
Relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. xxx ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 6:48 PM |
I by no means get offended by someone's comment when I ask for advice so M25 you are just fine. :)
I now its the early stages but Im not calling them braxton hicks (just a me thing) because they are actually progessing me. Just curious what you guys thought so dont be offended to say things that you think might offend trust me Im a big girl :)
Thanks Guys!! ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 8:16 PM |
True vs. False Labor
by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
"How will I know when it is REAL labor?" is a question many first-time moms have as they approach the end of the pregnancy. The mothers-to-be worry that the contractions may stop when they arrive at the hospital and they will be sent home. Conversely, many also worry that they will deliver at home or in the car on the way to the hospital if they wait too long.
What are Braxton-Hicks Contractions?
During the third trimester, your uterus begins to contract. It normally feels like a tightening or a low menstrual-like cramp. It may feel as if the baby is "balling up". This, of course, is not the baby, but is your uterus generating that sensation. These early contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, named after the obstetrician who first described them. Even Braxton-Hicks contractions can sometimes be painful. This can be the confusing part about when to pay attention to them. Contractions in false labor may even come at regular 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. This may go on for hours. Even women who have had already had children go to the hospital thinking they are in real labor and find out is was a false alarm. Here are a few guidelines when distinguishing true from false labor:
Timing of Contractions
• False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together
• True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds.
Strength of Contractions
• False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones.
• True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure
Pain with Contractions
• False Labor: Usually felt in the front only.
• True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front.
Position Changes and Hydration
• False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake.
• True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If you are less than 35 weeks pregnant and you have regular contractions lasting more than thirty seconds and occurring more than 4-6 times an hour, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If the contractions don't settle down with these changes in activity, call your practitioner. The signs of preterm labor can be subtle, and should be evaluated.
Once you are past 36 weeks, if this is a first pregnancy, you are much more likely to go in to your birth place too early rather than too late. Don't time contractions until they are very strong and regular. Plan to go to the hospital when they are so strong that you cannot hold a conversation during one, closer than 5 minutes apart, and continue in that pattern for over an hour. For women who have given birth before, we recommend using your previous labor as a guideline. On average, second babies come in half the time it took for the first. Subsequent pregnancies are usually similar to the second one.
If you just aren't sure whether it is false or real labor, don't feel bad going into labor and delivery to be examined. Your practitioner and the nurses there see many women each day in false labor. Sometimes it is even hard for the professionals to distinguish if it is the real thing.
THOUGHT THIS MIGHT HELP A BIT ↑ |
| Name: ..RoSey.. | Date: Apr 28th, 2008 10:17 PM |
Ever heard of the... if u dont have anything nice to say, dont say it at all ???
Anyways Itchy stomach is prob your skin stretching.. i too had a really itchy tummy during my pregnancy... and soon after that stretch marks appeared !!
Also you would KNOW if it was real labor contractions.. cause u sure as hell wont be sitting here talking to us LOL ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:21 AM |
| Well I went in and Im dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced. So its slow progress but still some. They asked me if I wanted to hang out and let it take its course or if I wanted them to stop the contractions since I am still so early. Of course I opted to stop contractions. It took 3 shots of the stuff that starts with a T then 2 pills to make sure they stay away. So hopefully she will cook alittle longer. ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:23 AM |
| who are referring to rosey? ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:25 AM |
| and wow thats quite far dilated and effaced........maybe you will deliver early after all and I stand corrected! Hope all goes well and good luck..can't wait to hear your birth story!!!!! Good luck chicky :) ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 2:01 AM |
| Oh and did you guys get 2 dilation tellings after you had your first baby cuz she said 5cm on the outside 2 on the inside. I just shock my head and agreed. But why is that. ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 9:56 AM |
| M25, Nicole is have a C Section, so she shouldn't be delivering early. They'll just stop labour from progressing for as long as possible. And then give her her C Section. Correct me if I'm wrong Nicole. ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 9:57 AM |
| I hope I'm not thinking of someone else. lol ↑ |
| Name: ..RoSey.. | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 10:37 AM |
| Wow does anyone deliver naturally these days lol ?? ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 10:54 AM |
| To be honest Rosey, think I've gotten mixed up between Nicole and Nidak. Nidak is having a C Section. Not sure about Nicole? ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 10:59 AM |
| ANYWAY, Nicole, brilliant to hear you're progressing beautifully. Your little baby will be in your arms very soon. I can't wait to hear your birth story! It'll be BRILLIANT! ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:38 PM |
| yes nicole I have.......this is not uncommon for second time mommies.......when i was 25 weeks i was closed on the outside and 2 cm on the inside.......kinda like 04nidak's funneling cervix I guess it would be........although they did not call it that to me.......but anyhow they did say it was common...... ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:48 PM |
]]briseis, I think you do have me confused with Nidak. Mines gonna be the ol' woo hoo way lol.
Im a pushover when it comes to someone who has been to school for something. So most of the time when they talk I take everything in and go home and research it lol. But I could find anything on inner and outer dilation (however its said). Guess it'll teach me to ask more questions. ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 12:49 PM |
| [[couldn't find anything on inner and outer dilation. (my bad) ↑ |
| Name: briseis | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 1:05 PM |
| Ah, in that case, I'm very sorry for the mixup! ↑ |
| Name: mother2five | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 1:07 PM |
| i beleive it's called funneling cervix ↑ |
| Name: 04nidak | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 1:53 PM |
| Nicole, the way you described that you are 5 on the outside and 2 on the inside sounds like what my doctor described to me as a funneling cervix. From what I've read about it I guess the cervix can start to dilate at the top (near the baby) and the bag of water can drop down and rub against the cervix causing it to rupture or break sometimes. I was told I had that at 34 weeks and my doctor made it sound like because of the funneling I could go into labor at anytime, but that was 3 weeks ago and so far I'm still pregnant. At my appt last week, my cervix was still funneling and I was almost 2cm on the outside. Like you, I've been having pretty bad contractions (braxton hicks) along with losing my mucous plug, back pain, pressure, etc. so I know what you are going through. I see my doctor again today so I guess we'll see if there have been anymore changes. Good luck to you, I hope the shots they gave you help slow down or stop your contractions so your little girl can cook a little longer. Good luck! ↑ |
| Name: nicole76108 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 6:07 PM |
| Thank you ladies for all your help. It really does ease my mind when someone else says oh Im going through tht to. :) I dont mean to be a pain in the ass and ask 100 questions tht everyone says are normal its just me being curious :) Thanks again though ya'll! ↑ |
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