Aa
36 1/2 weeks pregnant
I have been haveing contractions for about 2 days now pretty frequently but not timeable. Today I have noticed a lot of pressure in the pelvic area could this be signs of labor or should I even worry?
Thank you all for your advice. I went to the docter yesterday ane they said everything looks perfect. I was wondering if any one may know of anyways to induce labor at home. My docter told to walk walk walk but since it is cold outside I can't really do that much walk and my back would not allow it. And she also said sex but with these pains that I have been feeling that is out of the question. It hurts to even think about it. I was wondering if anyone had any other advice?
From this point on, you will feel more and more like you are going into labor. Each time you get a pain you will be waiting for the next. Trust me, You will know when it is time and even if you arent ready you should have plenty of time to pack bags and such. You are just about at the point where it is safe to deliver so worry, I wouldnt! Good Luck!
That was a lot! Anyway, it was taken off the following website:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-stages-of-labor_177.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-stages-of-labor_177.bc
Pelvic floor pressure is common, sometimes an entire pregnancy. I found this information:
First stage: Early labor
Once your contractions are coming at relatively regular intervals and your cervix begins to progressively dilate and efface, you're officially in early labor. But unless your labor starts very suddenly and you go from no contractions to fairly regular contractions right away, it can be tricky to determine exactly when true labor starts. That's because these early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that may immediately precede them and contribute to so-called "false labor." (If you're not yet 37 weeks and you're noticing contractions or other signs of labor, call your caregiver immediately so she can determine whether you're in preterm labor.)
During early labor, your contractions will gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. While the experience of labor varies widely, typically it might start with contractions coming every ten minutes and lasting 30 seconds each. Eventually they'll be coming every five minutes and lasting 40 to 60 seconds each as you reach the end of early labor. Some women have much more frequent contractions during this phase, though the contractions will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute.
Sometimes early labor contractions are quite painful (though they may be dilating your cervix much more slowly than you'd like!). If your labor is typical, though, your contractions now won't require the same attention that later ones will. You'll probably find that you can still talk through them and putter around the house. You may even feel like taking a short walk. If you feel inclined to relax instead, take a warm bath, watch a video, or doze off between contractions if you can.
You may also notice increasing mucousy vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood — the so-called "bloody show." This is perfectly normal, but if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your caregiver. Also call if your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions yet.
Otherwise, if you're at least 37 weeks along, and unless your caregiver has advised you differently, expect to sit out early labor at home. (When to call your midwife or doctor and when she's likely to have you go to the hospital or birth center are things to discuss ahead of time at your prenatal visits.) Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to accelerate.
How long it lasts
It's not easy to say how long this phase typically lasts or even (after the fact) how long it lasted for a particular woman. The length of early labor depends in large part on how ripe your cervix is at the beginning of labor and how frequent and strong your contractions are. With a first baby, if your cervix isn't effaced or dilated to begin with, this phase may take about eight hours, though it can be longer or significantly shorter. If your cervix is already very ripe or if this isn't your first baby, it's likely to go much more quickly.
Coping tips
Don't become a slave to your stopwatch just yet — it's stressful and exhausting to record every contraction over the many long hours of labor, and it isn't necessary. Instead you may want to time them periodically to get a sense of what's going on. In most cases, your contractions will let you know in no uncertain terms when it's time to take them more seriously.
Meanwhile, it's important to do your best to stay rested, since you may have a long day (or night) ahead of you. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids so you stay well hydrated. And don't forget to go to the bathroom often even if you don't feel the urge. A full bladder may make it more difficult for your uterus to contract efficiently, and an empty bladder leaves more room for your baby to descend.
First stage: Early labor
Once your contractions are coming at relatively regular intervals and your cervix begins to progressively dilate and efface, you're officially in early labor. But unless your labor starts very suddenly and you go from no contractions to fairly regular contractions right away, it can be tricky to determine exactly when true labor starts. That's because these early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that may immediately precede them and contribute to so-called "false labor." (If you're not yet 37 weeks and you're noticing contractions or other signs of labor, call your caregiver immediately so she can determine whether you're in preterm labor.)
During early labor, your contractions will gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. While the experience of labor varies widely, typically it might start with contractions coming every ten minutes and lasting 30 seconds each. Eventually they'll be coming every five minutes and lasting 40 to 60 seconds each as you reach the end of early labor. Some women have much more frequent contractions during this phase, though the contractions will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute.
Sometimes early labor contractions are quite painful (though they may be dilating your cervix much more slowly than you'd like!). If your labor is typical, though, your contractions now won't require the same attention that later ones will. You'll probably find that you can still talk through them and putter around the house. You may even feel like taking a short walk. If you feel inclined to relax instead, take a warm bath, watch a video, or doze off between contractions if you can.
You may also notice increasing mucousy vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood — the so-called "bloody show." This is perfectly normal, but if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your caregiver. Also call if your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions yet.
Otherwise, if you're at least 37 weeks along, and unless your caregiver has advised you differently, expect to sit out early labor at home. (When to call your midwife or doctor and when she's likely to have you go to the hospital or birth center are things to discuss ahead of time at your prenatal visits.) Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to accelerate.
How long it lasts
It's not easy to say how long this phase typically lasts or even (after the fact) how long it lasted for a particular woman. The length of early labor depends in large part on how ripe your cervix is at the beginning of labor and how frequent and strong your contractions are. With a first baby, if your cervix isn't effaced or dilated to begin with, this phase may take about eight hours, though it can be longer or significantly shorter. If your cervix is already very ripe or if this isn't your first baby, it's likely to go much more quickly.
Coping tips
Don't become a slave to your stopwatch just yet — it's stressful and exhausting to record every contraction over the many long hours of labor, and it isn't necessary. Instead you may want to time them periodically to get a sense of what's going on. In most cases, your contractions will let you know in no uncertain terms when it's time to take them more seriously.
Meanwhile, it's important to do your best to stay rested, since you may have a long day (or night) ahead of you. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids so you stay well hydrated. And don't forget to go to the bathroom often even if you don't feel the urge. A full bladder may make it more difficult for your uterus to contract efficiently, and an empty bladder leaves more room for your baby to descend.
As you get closer to your due date you'll notice more contractions and they are usually more intense. The pressure in the pelvic area is because the baby is resting its head against that area and it makes an uncomfortable pressure like feeling. When you go into labor the contractions will be pretty painful about 1-5 minutes apart and last for 40-60 seconds and nothing you do can make them go away because they keep getting more and more intense. You sound normal to me though! :)
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