Whats going on??

[Britt7]

Okay so today around 4 my stomach started to get tight & then loosen up. I have no pain when it tightens up but I do have lots of pressure in my vagina area & pain in my butt area. I know it sounds weird but its what I am feeling. lol I do have achey pains in my back & it goes down into my upper butt area. I had a dr.s appt monday & they told me that I was a cm dilated. This is my first baby & I don't want to go to L&D &  get sent home. What do you girls think??

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Definitely sounds like both of you are preparing for active labor.  

At this point, whether you feel pain or not, keep track of how often you feel the tightning.  They could be braxton hicks or real contractions.  If it's closer than 7 minutes apart I would go to L & D.

Keep in mind that there ARE women who do NOT feel their contractions until they are full swing in labor.  Don't base your judgments on pain or lack of, especially with a first baby. It's FAR better to go to the hospital and be sent home than to not make it there in time.  

I would NOT do the castor oil.  That's an old wive's tale.  At most it will probably make you have to poop yourself silly.  That can make for a very cranky, irritable and uncomfortable pregnany woman!  As the_other_half said, walking is EXCELLENT!!! Let gravity do its job.  

[the_other_half]

I strongly suggest NOT trying the castor oil. I tried it with my first son and was still induced at 40 weeks. Aside from running for the bathroom all day it causes the worst gas. I was literally doubled over in pain for a full day! It was awful and embarassing. If it does have any effect on how you progress you could go into the hospital and have your baby while having awful diarrhea. However if your baby is still not ready to come out it will only cause more discomfort. The one thing I've heard works best is walking. Best of luck to you, I know its uncomfortable but I promise it will happen soon enough :)

[Britt7]

I went in at 30 weeks because I could feel the baby move when I went in they told me that I was having contractions every 2-7min.s I had no clue I could not feel them & I had no pain in my back. But they were able to stop them. The only thing they told me is that if I am bleeding, my water breaks or I am having contractions for 5 hours coming about every 5 min.s to go into L&D. I am still hurting my mom & grandma told me to take castor oil to help me process that they if I do go to L&D they won't send me home. But I am so nervous to drink it. They told me that it will cause me to have loose stool & cause my uterus to contract.

[the_other_half]

I am currently having the same problem. I was told I'm in back labor or prelabor so far its been a week and no change in cervix. It doesn't sound weird at all infact its quite normal. I am also 1cm dilated and 50%effaced. I was told you can stay like that for days to weeks before theres a change. The tightening is contractions(i have no pain in the front either its all in my back). I was told to go back if it got worse, have bloody show, or if water breaks. I'm waiting it out as long as possible before going in since I've been in 3 times with no real change. Did they tell you what you should look for before going back??