true labour vs false labour

Emily - posted on 11/09/2010

I had braxton hicks contractions from about 5 or 6 months. 3 days before I had my baby I started to have contractions 5-15 min apart, but they would stop for an hour, then start again. I went to the Ob/gyn the day before, & my contractions were every 5 min, but the Dr. said I wasn't dialated & wait until they were 3 min apart & I couldn't take the pain. I got some lower back pain & went to bed. I got up to pee & my water broke. I walked up and down the hall for a couple of hours until I literally could not walk anymore. I had the baby within two hours of being in the hospital. If you go to the hospital too early, they will induce you, & most likely will result in C-section. You will know when it is true labor!

Donna - posted on 11/05/2010

Everyone is different i had to be induced and the few contractions that i did feel (eperderal is great) felt like extremly bad period cramps, and my bloody show freaked me out bc it was so much blood

Brianna - posted on 11/04/2010

trust me when its real labor and when you need to go to the hospital you will know

Darla - posted on 11/04/2010

you should go to hospital when your contractions are 5 mnutes apart.
I was not so lucky, I got overdue and had to be induced!!

Rebekah - posted on 11/04/2010

I went to the hospital both times when my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and lasting between 30-60 seconds each. Five hours after my water broke with my first, and 8 hours after my first contractions with my second. True contractions will intensify so I'd wait at least an hour before calling them "real"... but always call your doctor first.

Sarah - posted on 11/04/2010

@Chrystal the hospital i went to considered my true labour started at 5am when my contractions were 10 minutes apart

Renee - posted on 11/03/2010

Can't hurt to ring your midwife. My waters didn't break and I didn't loose my plug either. My contractions went straight into 5mins apart. Better sure then sorry! Good Luck! x

Chrystal - posted on 11/03/2010

When your contractions are between 2 and 5 minutes apart. And they are consistent, then you go to the hospital.

Sarah - posted on 11/03/2010

@Melissa i remember nesting the whole day before i went into labour, i think i drove everyone insane!

Melissa - posted on 11/03/2010

I went through that as well..it got to the point were I couldnt really keep track of my contractions...fortunatly for me my water broke at home so thats how I knew....oh I also all of the sudden at 9pm decided to clean everything from pillows to my bags...it was wierd I just had a feeling it was going to happen soon.. my water broke at 11:30! Sorry not much help...but I kind of feel you will just know!

Alison - posted on 11/03/2010

Ultimately, you just need to call the hospital and they will help you figure it out. One of the signs is the regularity. Generally, if you are unsure, it is not the real deal. But some rare women have very little pain, so you can never be sure.

Vicki - posted on 11/03/2010

It varies. Usually in established labour the contractions are painful enough that you have trouble talking through them. Once they are less than 5 minutes apart is the usual head to hospital time.

Are you able to call your care provider to discuss how you're going?

Best wishes for your birth and welcoming your new little one!

Sarah - posted on 11/03/2010

i had stomach severe cramping and really bad back pain (much worse than usual) i didn't go to the hospital until the contractions were one on top of the other (i only lived 5 minutes from the hospital) my waters didn't break and i also had what they called wavering contractions...one minute they were ontop of eachother the next they were 10 minutes apart this was mainly because bubby was stuck.

Jolene - posted on 11/03/2010

All mothers - to - be will be different. i had severe back pain and a pain the the stomach for a couple of days before and gradually got worse. my waters didnt break either