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1023501 tn?1254833158

Contractions Questions

So I'm 39w2d today.  And since this morning I've been having contractions.  Well, I'm pretty sure they are contractions.  They feel like period cramps.  When I get my period my cramps are VERY mild, just like a reminder that my period is coming, haha.  Well, today, they are pretty strong.  Everybody tells me they are contractions.  Anyway, my questions are:

-  How many am I supposed to get in an hour,
-  How aften are they supposed to happen, and
-  How long are they supposed to last?

I don't want to count on them being painful because everybody is different and what's painful for somebody might not be painful for somebody else.  My sister has 2 daughters and according to her, it didn't hurt, haha.  So I don't really want to count on the pain.  I am trying to go natural, without the epidural, so I know that I have to stay away from the hospital as long as possible.  But I'm at work right now and home is 45 minutes away, so I don't want to hurry and drive home if there's a chance that today might just be the day.  =)

Thanks!
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202436 tn?1326474333
That's good that you have a good doctorl.  I had 3 of my babies at military hospitals and all 3 were better experiences thant he 2 I've had in civilian hospitals.  One thing about the IV meds the doc is talkign abuot is that they can make you loopy/sleepy.  Being out of it isnt conducive with a pleasant birth.  Now not everyone gets that way with them, but you really don't know how your body will react.  Personally I wuold prefer an epidural over IV meds simply becuase I know with an epidural I will be completely alert.  You can always request a walking epidural or lower dose so taht you arent' completely numb but it helps take the edge off.  Since all but my first child have been VBACS I can't get the full dose of epidural which means i do still feel some of it but it's not nearly as bad as without.
Helpful - 0
1023501 tn?1254833158
Thank you so much!  I keep thinking that if I don't have a natural birth I might be disappointed.  But I know at the end of the day, I'll just be happy to have my baby!  The doctor told me there are other meds he can give me to take the edge off vice the epidural.  I really hope I'm strong enough to take the pain!  And I really hope everything goes smooth and safe for the baby and for me.  =)  
Oh, and I guess what I  meant by I loose control is that if I want to walk to help induce, they only have 2 walking units.  If I don't get one of them, I'm stuck in my room.  The room is big enough to walk around it, but I'm sure it'll get old pretty quick, haha.  We also have showers and the rocking chair and I'm taking my birthing ball.  So I should be fine.  I'm in the military, and my doctor, who is actually a certified nurse/midwife, told me that he will never force me to take anything or have something done unless it's an emergency.  He said he will respect my wishes as much as medically possible.
I'm just so anxious!
Helpful - 0
202436 tn?1326474333
Well even though the doc says you pretty much lose control when you get to the hospital that isn't necessarily true.  Unless you are going to a private hospital, meaning one that does not accept medicaid, then you can refuse any procedures they try to give you (ie: iv's, meds, etc) and LEGALLY they can not refuse you care.  I would suggest that when you do get to the hospital you let them know in NO UNCERTAIN terms exactly what your plan is.  But also make sure they know that you understand sometimes things don't always go as planned.  Also keep in mind that some women have real contractions for DAYS before going into labor while others have a sudden onset and things just take off from there.  Since you are closer to the hospital now it's probably best that you stay at work if you can.  Remember, walking helps to get things to progress.  I'm sure you've studied up on relaxtion and breathing techniques so be sure to use those.  I can tell you from experience that even if it DOES hurt like mad DURING labor as soon as that child comes out and you see him/her the intensity of the pain seems to become a distant memory.  Also, if you DO end up having pain meds dont' beat yourself up over it.  I've delivered via c-section, a natural vaginal birth and vaginal births with epidurals.  My most pleasant experience (albeit most painful) was the natural but my births with epidurals were very close to being as good as the natural.  Besides if it gets to a point where you consider an epidural (and hopefully it won't but just in case) remember, if you are in so much pain that its draining you and wearing you down then it will slow your labor and COULD increase your risk of needing a c-section.  I do hope you are able to labor the way you want, I just don't like seeing people become disappointed :)
Helpful - 0
1023501 tn?1254833158
Thank you for all the information!  
I've been having Braxton Hicks for weeks now.  My stomach gets really hard and my belly button goes all the way in.  At first I thought it was the baby doing something weird, but the doctor told me it's a Braxton Hicks, haha.  Today is completely different.  It feels like a strong period cramp and then it wraps around my back.  Kind of what you're describing.  I don't want to go to the hospital right away.  I want to wait as long as I can so there will be as little "hospital" intervention as possible.  That's what my doctor recommended also since I want to go natural.  He told me as soon as I get to the hospital, I'll pretty much lose control, haha.
My  bag is packed and in my trunk, haha.  The hospital is 5 minutes away from work, so that should be fine.  
Helpful - 0
202436 tn?1326474333
You should contact your doctor when your contractions are coming closer than 10 minutes apart on a regular schedule.  (by contact I mean call) If they are coming 5 minutes apart of less you need to go to the hospital.  For timing of contractions you start timing at the beginning of one and continue to time until another starts.  

If they are mild and just feel like a hardening of your abdomen they may just be braxton hicks, especially if they don't increase in frequencey and intensity throughout the day.  True labor contractions USUALLY (but not for everyone) sort of start towards the back and feel like they wrap around your midsection with a tightening feeling and causing pressure in the area of yoru cervix.  There are really no set answers to your questions as every woman and every pregnancy is different. Most doctors had a set of guidelines to go by for advising their patients when to go to the hospital.  If your doc has not given you any, I would contact his/her office and find out.  If at any point you are uncertain what's going on it's better to call your doctor or just go straight to labor and delivery.  The worst they will do there is tell you it isn't active labor yet and send you home.  But it's better safe than sorry.   If you aren't already packed and READY for the hospital it would be adviseable to do so.  Since you are still working if you dont' already you might want to keep you hospital bag in your car.  
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