How do you know when you're going into labor

[Rachelxo]

I'm 37 weeks.. For the past hour my tummy keeps getting really hard, then softening, then a few minutes later it gets hard again and keeps repeating. It feels like Im gonna throw up and I keep going to the bathroom. There's no blood but Im having cramps. Anybody ever had this happen? Is this jus braxton hicks or am I about to go into labor?

[lexx__]

I'm 37 weeks and been dilated almost 2 cm for a couple weeks but my stomach is tightening a lot and I have a lot of pressure on my lower back and feel like I'm super constipated I have sharp pain onmy pelvis and it feels like I'm having period cramps if I try to walk it hurts so bad does anyone know what this means?

[Khais_Mommy21]

When they become increasingly painful just a few minutes apart and you feel constipated then you should get ready to head to the hospital.. And you may even be one of the lucky ones who know bc their water breaks! Lol

[Rachelxo]

Was having contractions, they were 5-7 minutes apart. Dr said its false labor tho cus I'm not dilated. Said the pain in my right side was my legiments stretching or a torn muscle, plus the contractions making it hurt too. Said to drink lots of water and rest :)  thanks for all the responses :)

[lilpollywog]

My contractions never really hurt with my first two.  Like a previous poster said time them.  Kick back with your feet up and a large glass of water and time the contractions.  And if they continue call your ob on their after hours number.  They'll tell you if you should head to the hospital or not.  And if you go and they send you home, dont feel bad.  Better to be checked and know than to have your baby on your living room floor because you waoted too long, lol.

[Guinb24]

Wow.im also 37 weeks! Im having the exact symptoms! But it doesnt hurt much.

[sorenr]

I had regular braxton hicks for hours at a time in my final weeks of both pregnancies. As long as there is no pain chances are that its your body preparing for the main event!!

[sorenr]

I had regular braxton hicks for hours at a time in my final weeks of both pregnancies. As long as there is no pain chances are that its your body preparing for the main event!!

[Rachelxo]

They aren't really painful, only if I move a certain way it hurts bad. I don't wanna go to the hospital til I know fore sure its real labor. I was jus wondering cus I had cramps before, jus I never had my tummy feel this way and I never felt like throwing up. && everyone I know never went through real labor, they all had scheduled dates for c sections so none of them know.

[Ashleigh529]

My advice is to time them. Labor contractions are going to be consistent and getting more painful as time passes. Drink some water make sure ur not dehydrated. ( i was dehydrated one time at about 28 wks with my first pregnancy and i caused tons of irregular braxton hicks ). If ur contractions are as i explained and ur able to time them say 8-10 min apart than id start planning for a trip to L&D. Ur body is definitely gearing up for the big day so this could very well be false labor.

[stacey10]

It depends, you should be feeling pain if they're contractions, sometimes when its early labour it may feel abit like period pain in conjuction with your tummy going hard, I would hop into a warm bath or shower and see if this settles them down some what,m if it does then its more than likely that they're b/hicks, if not you maybe in the early stages of labour, if so they should be regular, and as long as you can still talk through them you shouldnt need to go to the hospital, its when they are comming around every 5 min and you have to concentrate on them, if your at all worried though give your hospital a ring and let them know whats going on :)

[lil_misss23]

Sounds like labor! Call your doctor. If the contractions are coming and going that quick in just an hour it doesnt sound like bracton Hicks.