37 weeks Labor or braxton hicks

[diamondintherough79]

Hi girls,
After 3 children you would think I know this by now! I woke up this mornng with a crampy lower back and menstrual like cramps which turned into contractions about an hour later. That was at 6 am. I am not experiencing them alot closer together with some pressure in the bottom, but nothing that is "KILLING" me! I have only had one natural onset of labor and that was 13 yrs ago..all the others were induced and the contractions were crazy. I know that induction contractions are way worse than anything else. They are between 5-7 minutes apart and fairly strong, but managable. If I move or walk it does intensify it, I tend to sway from side to side.
I have a high tollerance for pain and am worried I will be ready to go before I know. I also dont want to head up just to be sent home....what do you think...I know likely a stupid question....

[mami2karina]

Sounds like when I went into labor with my last! My water had always broken and I had to have pitocin to make me contract. I had never gone into labor by contracting on my own. I finally went into to see the PA since my OB was out for the weekend, she didn't think I was in labor, I was 35 weeks, but she sent me to L&D to be checked out and sure enough I was in labor! I wasn't progressing and they couldn't help my labor along due to being 35 weeks, but she said if I was further along she would have just broke my water to get it going. She let me go home since I'm 5 min from the hospital. That was a Friday, Sunday morning my water broke after 3 days of contractions and I had my little man. Good luck!

[chantal21]

Okay. Sounds like it could be the real deal! If laying down and drinking lots of water doesn't make them go away, then calling would be the next step. You don't want to drive 45 min to be sent home, but you also want to make it to the hospital as well if you are in labor. ;) Keep us posted!!! :)

[diamondintherough79]

Yes, they are pretty consistant. I am going to try and lay down and see where that gets me. Then I will call L&D and see what they suggest aswell.
I am about 45 minutes from the hospital.
Thank you for your reply,

[chantal21]

Have they been consistently 5-7 min apart for a couple of hours now? The only way I knew I was in true labor was when I got the menstrual like cramps, and contractions with pressure in my bottom. I don't have a high tolerance for pain, but I don't feel much of anything until I am closer to 8cm, so it scares me!! Timing contractions at this point is the best way to tell. With my last pregnancy, I waited for my contractions to be 2-3 min apart then headed out. I had my son 4 hours later.

I would say if the contractions stay consistent, give your doc a call and see what they recommend. They may want to at least check you and see if anything is happening at this point. How far from the hospital are you?