Dumb question I know, however, I wanna' know what labor really feels like....

[slzerbst]

So every now and again I have these terrible PMS like cramps in my lower abdomin, not sure what they are, they seem to come and go, not frequently or anything, but I was wondering is if they could be contractions... but me not be in labor yet... also I don't understand the whole BH idea, because I'm pretty sure that I'm not having those, and if I am then I'm not really feeling them.  Ugh just over all I'm confused, I did bring this up to my doc at my last apt, but he seemed to think that it was just the way baby's head was sitting, but I get these feelings even when I'm not feeling my baby move.  So I'm just over all I'm confused... I know what people say about contractions, cramping that spreads throughout the abdomin, gas cramps, back cramps, all of which I'm pretty sure I'm feeling when I have these PMS cramps... *sigh* I'm just so lost, and I don't want to be like some women and have the baby on the bathroom floor ya'know?  Now I know that this probably wont happen, but it's my first and I dunno how any of these things work...

Also my back is killing me... literly, today at work I broke down and started crying my eyes out because of how much pain I'm in... and it would be nice if my work allowed me to work maybe a half shift (4 hours), which is pretty much as long as I can stand being on my feet and/or doing all of the lifting that a CNA does.  And I hate to be like this, but I physically can't do alot of the things I use to... and I find that irritating and I get more pissed at myself than at anyone else, however, I do need alot more help with things than I did prior to now.  

For example, this is what led up to me braking down... I am slightly anal when it comes to getting everything I need to get done by the time I leave, well today after lunch(lunch ends at 1pm) I needed to lay one lady down, get another lady's teeth brushed, get her dressed, and finally get her up, and then I needed to get another man washed up... *sigh* all before 230pm.  So when I get done with lunch, I know that the other aide I'm working with is in the middle of feeding one of two or three people down my unit, so I automatically ask another aide off another unit, well apparently that was a bad idea, because her nurse pulled me aside (mind you this is after finishing her vitals and helping her toilet someone) and was basically tell me that I could ask her for help and that she didn't care that all of these other things needed to get done... nore the fact that the other two people down my unit needed to eat, she didn't wanna' be interupted from passing pills, well for f-sake she's there till 6pm today, there was no reason that she needed to act like that to me.  So I told her fine!!!  I'll do it myself, it's not like it would be the first time, nore the last that i use a mechanical lift that requires two people to use by myself!!!  And at that point I was just so frusterated and so pissed and to top it all off, I was in pain that I brust into tears...  Nowi kind of feel like an a$$...

[lmc2132]

Drinking lots of water and resting should make the BH less frequent, if that's what they are...give it a try.  

My midwife says some babies don't "drop" till you're in labor...

Thanks jenkaye for letting us know about the spacing thing, good to know...

-LMC

[slzerbst]

See this is the weird thing, the last two nights I have been having these the pains they usually would be 15 to 30 minutes apart(coming in waves), but it only would happen once or twice and then nothing...

Today at work I was talking to one of my nurses and she said that the baby was still pretty "high" even though my doc says that he's head down and ready to go, we are just waiting for my body to give in and go into labor.  But I guess its possible he wont drop until I'm actually in labor... but who really knows right?  Oh if they were to indcue me would his head automatically move down further as labor goes on(I know that's the point, but I have heard stories where they baby wouldn't move down... and I don't know... I'm confused)

Ohhh also I have this terrible pian in my right hip, I literly can't move my leg without almost being in tears.  

Also is it possible to only have back labor... i would tend to think not, but I don't wanna miss some sign espeically cuz I can't sit up strait any more without feeling like I'm sitting on the baby's head...

[jenkaye21]

Just wanted to note that contractions don't necessarily come at regular,evenly-spaced intervals.  Mine never did; they would be 4 min, 6 min, 3 min, 4 min, etc.  So they don't have to be 'even' to be the rreal thing, but they WILL gradually get closer/more painful.

[NicMom]

I have to give you major props for working still. In the last few weeks of my pregnancy I was so cranky, tired, and sore I wasn't fit to be around other people. Soon you'll have that baby and get a nice break from everyone.

As far as what labor feels like I can say the day I went into labor I had pms cramps that just got worse and worse as the day wore on. I couldn't decide if I should go to the hospital until it happened that one contraction that says HELLO GO TO THE HOSPITAL NOW. lol seriously you'll know.

[lmc2132]

slzerbst, first I completely admire your dedication to your job,  i am also 38 weeks and i have an office job and even find that taxing after 8 hrs.  you should be enormously proud of yourself that you continue to care for sick folks even as you are this close to having a baby!  and no wonder you break into tears.  

(side note, this makes me frustrated with our work culture that is so unsympathetic to working mothers.  but that's another topic!)

as for what labor feels like, i have no idea either and also feel nervous about knowing when.  but from what i have read, the key thing to look for is contractions (which feel like pain, pressure or cramps in the lower abdomen) that come in evenly-spaced waves.  when you feel that, start writing down the start times and how long each one lasts to see if they are even (starting every 10 mins, 8 mins etc.).  if so, call your hospital/doc and they will talk you through when to come in.  there are other signs, like "bloody show", lightening, etc. but contractions are the only true sign.  and i've also been told that labor contractions will stop you in your tracks so i have to trust i will know when i feel them.

btw--I am thinking your now-and-then pms feelings are braxton-hicks contractions.  mine feel like a mild menstrual cramp.

good luck and hope you have your baby soon so can get off your feet!
-LMC

[jenkaye21]

Latrice put it well when she said they will stop you in your tracks.
I just had my fourth baby and i had so many BH contractions throughout that i wondered how i would know if it's the real thing.  Well!  No need to worry!, lol
They just feel different; may start out not-so-painful, but as they increase they will literally stop you in your tracks.  You will not be able to walk or talk thru them (or barely able to do so).
BTW, the night before i went into labor i had a *killer* backache. Thought it was from working, but it turned out to be my first sign of labor.

[Latrice414]

Ahhh Slzerbst im so sorry you had such an awful day at work.  I commend you for still working.  Im an RN and took an early leave july 10th bcuz i could not do the 12 hour shifts in a fast paced setting(at a hopital) nor stand on my feet at my other part time job at a nursing home.  I admire that you are still able to work.

As far as contractions, thats what you could be feeling, BH are practice contractions, getting your body ready, but those will go away when you change position, move or do something, and they willl be irregular.  Real labor(real contractions) will not go away no matter what you are doing and they will be consistent.  Dont worry your body will give you hints that hey, we need to go to hospital baby is on way.

I also get thes pms cramps but nothing really strong,  Im also waiting to see when contractions will kick in, i no they are painful and will stop you in your tracks.  Dont worry, you will no, especially when it keeps happening regularly.

Again im so sorry about what happened at the job, hope things go better, take it one day at a time.