labor signs?

[saah28]

So I have to get yalls insight. I have been having on and off cramping throughout whole abdomen and whole back. Like menstrual cramp feeling that consumes your torso radiating the tension. It's happening almost all the time when I'm laying down... Which is almost all day I am so exhausted it's all I can do it seems. I think I've been getting cramping a couple weeks now but seems like so much more maybe intense and often this past week. My last appt was almost two weeks ago and she checked me I was just over 34 weeks. What she said confused me but that I was maybe 50% effaced but that my cervix was still long and that I am starting to open up and she showed me top of finger tip but that I wasn't even a centimeter. She said the beginning was opening but deeper still closed. Does all that make sense or contradict statements? Anyways I am 36 wks. Physically feel like he will barely make 38. I just feel so tense my whole torso as I lay :( any ideas if I'm close? My appt is Monday and I am gonna ask them to please check me so I can know if things are going on why I feel so bad. And I don't think I ever have had Braxton hicks. I can't imagine it would be this paralyzing pain if they were

[no3ontheway]

My doctor says if you can talk when you think you are having a contraction chances are they are bh.  If not time them and if I have eight in an hour after  .  Changing my position and drinking a large glass of ice water go to l & d. It is probably pre-term labor...btw...third child will be here in 11 days and I have never dilated ;-)

[paigeec]

I have also had the cramping pain you're talking about. When I asked my doctor about it, he said it was normal and most likely Braxton Hicks.

[Nickley3]

So your cervix has to dilate (open) and efface (soften). It sounds like your cervix is softening and you are just slightly dilated. I get Braxton Hicks that sometimes hurt a little but I can get through them pretty easily by rubbing my belly and focusing on breathing. If at your appt on Monday, you have progressed, they may be real contractions, if not, they are probably just BH. 36 weeks is still pretty early so my guess is that it's all normal pregnancy stuff. Definitely consult your Dr. on Monday though.

[saah28]

I guess I've heard that BH can be painful too so maybe that's what I get? Anybody relate?

[saah28]

Oh might I add the last couple weeks I suddenly am regular going to bathroom where as before I was always extremely not. It would be like a week and I would barely be able to go. That's another major change here.