cramps or contractions

[supermommy90]

How do you tell the difference

[mrsouidiani]

I'm having painless contractions regarly now. 31 weeks. I'll wake up a few times in the night with my tummy feeling like a basketball and the muscles contracted. definitely contracting, and sometimes during the day, I'll get cramps in my upper abdomen right under my rib cage. Those are uncomfortable, but not painful.

[supermommy90]

Thank you

[kimakins]

I'm 34weeks and just recently home from staying almost a week home in the hospital because I went into preterm labor. This is my third pregnancy and I can tell you with my first two boys I didn't hurt at all with contractions. (Went into preterm labor with my second born also) with this preterm labor I cramped for almost a month especially when up moving around. I kept asking my ob's midwife (who I seen more then my Ob) why I was hurting so bad, that it wasn't normal. She gave me every excuse in the book, round ligament pain, dehydration. then when I forced them to see me one day before I had to go to work (was hurting pretty good by this 3rd week) I'm told its because I have a bladder infection and because I'm dehydrated still. That was on a Monday. I started taking my antibiotic that day and continued drinking a lot of water. By Sunday my "cramps" were so bad I could barely walk with out wanting to scream. I decided to go to the hospital, to find out what was really going on. Come to find out I was in preterm labor and having contractions 2-7minutes apart. I was dilated to a 2 and effaced about 30%. Luckily between my local hospital and the one they sent me to and because I finally had someone listening to me, they was able to stop my preterm labor. I am know on full bed rest at home. The reason I'm telling you this is because nobody knows your body better then you. Even if this is your first you will know when you are in labor. If you think your cramps are contractions then by all means go to the hospital or your Ob and have them check you. If they don't want to listen to you make them. After all you and your baby are the most important thing.

[supermommy90]

OK I'm 38 weeks and the pain is bearable it feels like a really bad mensuration and I have sharp pains in my rear

[cherish12103]

Contractions are painful enough that they stop you in your tracks when you're walking or make you stop talking!!