am i in labour

Im 37 weeks pregnant and i had an internal examination yesterday, when i got home i started bleeding, it was bright red and quite gloopey. The bleeding has now stopped after about 7 hours but i have pains in my lower back and abdomin (abdomen), could i be in labour?

[alaysha]

After an internal examine its natural to spot but not to bleed for that alone I would go to the hospital. If the pains in your back and pelvis are consistant (every 1-5 minutes lasting 40-60 seconds) then you are probably in labor. I would go to the hospital right away though.  

[Skylynns_mom]

its possible have to timed the pains?  Time the if they are consistant and occurring at 5 mins apart for an hour or more call your doc.  Congrats and good luck

[njeosys]

Oh honey! I was there before... you're not in labor just yet until you begin having contractions a few minutes apart (I believe it's 4-7 minutes, right? It's been a while... ask some of the 3rd trimester mommas about that) or if your water breaks.

I had pains after an internal exam, but after one particular exam I had my daughter the next evening. I don't know if the doc did something while down there to get things going or what!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

when you have these pains does your uterus tighten up into a like a ball?  It wouldn't hurt to go to Labor & Delivery just to be checked.  You could be beginning to lose your mucus plug BUT it could still be some time before active labor starts.  The pains could be braxton hicks contractions or real ones.  Go get checked out and get some peace of mind :)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

With my first, I started out with back pain.  I had some back labor with him.  You could be losing your plug and if so, active labor could start very soon.  I'd call your doctor for sure though and let him/her know.  They very well could send you to labor and delivery for observation.  Sometimes when you are having back labor, it is hard to know what it is.  Anytime with any of mine (and I have 5) that anything out of the ordinary happens, I call my doctor.

Keep us posted!!

[adawning4]

when I was trying to see if it was real labor with my daughter. My doc told me to emerge my abdomen in warm water in the tub and lie there for a while and see if the pains go away if they continue start to time them and if they are close and consitent then I would def. go to the hospital.  Try to relax and take it easy Good luck to you!!!!

[kjbutcher]

you will know if you are in labor.  My doctor straight out told me at my 37 week exam that I should bleed but if it is excessive, filling more than one pad in 2 hours, to call.