labour-pain

[kanyanya]

Am heading to giving birth an am having lots of questions in my head.How will i know when am in real labour?how does it start?When should i go to the hospital?Is labour pain like period pains but more stronger?does it pain only in the stomach or there are other parts?Am a little bit scared coz its my first child.advice me please...

[kanyanya]

thanks for the advice

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Your doctor should have or will give you a set of giudelines to go by as far as knowing when to go to the hospital.  Generally speaking they tell you to wait until your contracts are 5 minutes apart OR your water breaks.  If your water breaks, go immediately. It may break in one sudden gush and continue to leak or you may notice a slow leak.  Either is cause for a trip to  L & D.  True labor contractions typically start in your back and move in a wave around the front as your uterus tightens.  You may feel a lot of pressure around the area of the cervix during your contractions.  They will most likely be far worse than period cramps, but some women are lucky enough that they aren;t.  You may experience diarrhea and eventually the urge to have to pass a bowel movement even when nothing comes out.  You may or may not notice slimy, mucus like discharge that can be clear, white or yellow and may be tinged with red, pink or brown.  This is your mucus plug.  If you are ever unsure, call your ob or l & d and explain your symptoms, they will advise you what to do. Another thing to look out for is decreased fetal movement.  When you go into labor the babys movements WILL slow down but should not cease

[LACh1]

Well i don't know how much help i will be as both my babies were ceasers.  However with my first i was in labour for 10 hours before i had the c- section.  I think they say real labour is when the contractions are regular and have been coming for a fair amount of time.  Most of the time you should go to the hospital (depending how far away you live) when contractions are regular and about 5 minutes apart or when your water breaks as leaving it too long can lead to infection.  You should probbaly call your hospital or obyn as they will be able to tell you what you need to do.  Yes in some ways the pain is like period pain, however it is a fair bit stronger. Also depending on how your baby is positined can change where you feel the pain and how strong it is.  My contractions started in my back and would then come around the front and everything would get very tight.  Hot water in the shower or a heat pack helped me and so did walking and rocking on my knees.  It really is a very individual thing as what works for one women may not for another.  I hope all goes well and wish you the best of luck.
Remember if you have concerns just call the hospital they are there to answer your questions and relieve your mind so use them as a big support.