What are the signs of labor?

Your cat knows & just protecting you. And trust me you will know when you are in labor. The lower back is just so wonderful
It feels like you are going to take the worst shit in ypur life. And usually in the last stages of labor & as you are bearing down to deliver your beautiful baby, you will poop :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye::crazy_face:

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My cats have slept near my belly since before I was pregnant - true contractions feel like your tummy tightening. Braxton Hicks does not mean that you were going to have your baby early. It is your body preparing.

Animals are attracted the pregnant women I feel. It doesn’t mean labor is coming right away. I can’t help too much as I only feel contractions in my back and after my water is broken.

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My cat was the same way I went into labor with my twins within 2 weeks

My cat was always with me during my second. I had preterm labor from 27 weeks till I was induced at 39+6 weeks

Sorry I’ve no pets🙈 but I’ve had 5 babies, 1st child waters went which was ideal I knew I was in labour… 2nd child induced…3rd child thought was braxton hicks but then had upset tummy followed by contractions every 40 mins…born 5 hours later… Other 2 both induced, I think you just get that instinct its different and you feel different xx

My dog has started doing this ( I’m 33 weeks Monday). It’s normal. For me contractions feel like the worst gas ever.

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Contractions can feel like something is squeezing your back or in the front. They can be painless, mild, to seriously uncomfortable. Braxton Hicks can be uncomfortable (not always) but they come and go and there’s really no rhythm or timing to them. I had lower back contractions that were annoying, decided to get checked in case, and they ended up giving me something to make them stop because it was too early. Id say when in doubt, get checked out!

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Honestly with both my kids my contractions were different, my first I knew instantly what the pain was and I was leaking fluid (my water) with my second I started contractions through out the night, pushed the pain aside and continued my day until my water broke while I was out with my 3 year old. Even then I still didnt feel like they were contractions and could deal with the pain… honestly I feel like you will know, if your not sure always worth calling your doctor and seeing them :slight_smile:

My cats were the same way came around alot more towards the end of the pregnancy but it seemed like they just knew what was gonna happen and wanted to soak up some extra love :heart:

Honestly my contractions felt like my period cramps ×10

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Early Labor contractions usually start from the back and move to the front feeling almost like a twinge or menstrual cramps. It may also feel like baby is balling up. If they are continuous and don’t stop with hydration, warm bath etc then I would call your provider because you are still very preterm. Good luck with your baby to be.

I can only tell you kimda like abdominal cramps. I was in labor and had no ideal since idk what period cramps are … its also like a wave kinda feeling if that makes sence. If you have any concerns call dr asap.

The night I had my son my dog watched me like a hawk. They can sense when your close.

Currently 35 weeks with third baby went into preterm labor this week but then it stopped by its self. Braxton Hicks contractions are a little more painful then period cramps. If it starts feeling like a wave of pain that comes more often and become more painful probably the real deal. Unless your water breaks dont worry unless contractions are coming 5 mins apart. Good luck, hope this helps

Oh baby girl when you have a contraction you will know. They are hard to explain other than a big squeeze of your belly. Since your fist baby came early your second one may also as a friend of mine had all three of her children early. Have fun, enjoy, and congratulations!

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I have 3 cats. 2 male and a female. She hates me because I take away daddys attention. She would kneed on my belly starting at about 33weeks. Kneed and purr and lay and sleep. Sometimes she would kneed and purr and my daughter would kick, then my cat would rub on the spot and purr louder. That happened from 33weeks to 36.5 weeks. The day she stopped doing it was the day before my daughter was born.
Ps… you would think she loves my daughter… but nope… hates her too :roll_eyes::woman_facepalming::joy:
Part 2… I have an extremely high pain tolerance. I didnt have an epidural so I felt everything. I only went to the hospital because my water broke and I was 8.5cm at that time. Didnt feel anything… I didnt feel a contraction until I was 10cm for 30 min… then they were strong but not take your breath away strong. They came for a min and a half then I got a 40 second break, then another min and a half until my Dr came. I was waiting for my dr so I was 10cm for 1hr 45 min. I really cant be of much help with this one. My period cramps are worse than my contractions were. :woman_shrugging:t2:
Good Luck!

You will know when you contract and honestly it’s better to wait until your water breaks so your not in hospital waiting foreverrrrr

When pain is so unbearable you can’t breathe or stand up. Time to consider a doctor

I only have pains in my butt I was in labour for 2 days and didn’t know it, with my first my labour was all belly and I just knew. This one, I was 36 weeks and my water broke exactly in my 36th week after two days of butt pain.

Sometimes I think the questions on here are fake. It’s always something weird

Not sure this will help but here’s a cute pic of my mama hens lol I was only 26 weeks on this picture. Not sure it means anything but that they like the heat… as for labour pains didn’t feel any with my 1st got an epidural right before my water broke. Only started getting cramps after giving birth. They said that contractions feel like period cramps… Atleast, for this baby will know what cramps feel like :two_hearts: best wishes to you and your family! Congratulations! :clap::clap::clap:

I’m not sure what signs of labor are since I have been induced early in each of my pregnancies but from what I’ve read it’s regular contractions 7 minutes or less apart that can start in the low back to the front low abdomen, urge to push, leaking fluid or a gush of fluid.

My cats always snuggled close by as I got closer to my due date (probably started the beginning of the 3rd trimester) or anytime I’m sick. I think Animals can just sense changes and want to comfort us.

My dog knew when I went into labor. We had put a gate up to keep our room clean and he sat there and stared at me until we let him in. Had baby the next day

I didnt feel contractions with my son even when I was in labor your stomach will get hard though

I had no idea I was in labor went for my induction and was having contractions I honestly didn’t feel a thing until the foley bulb was placed

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What are the signs of labor?

I would call your Dr or go to the hospital just to get checked.

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Sounds like Braxton hicks. You could still carry to full term. Just double check with your midwife/Dr

I’m curious to know as well! I’ve had the same and I’m 34 weeks tomorrow :woman_facepalming:t2:

When that feelin doesnt go away and the tightening gets stronger and closer together thats labor. Call dr when those contractions are 10 min apart.

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Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks is 6 contractions and under an hr

Braxton hicks most likely.

I would call whomever is your primary care. I had Braxton Hicks at 33 weeks and had my son 2 days after it started.

If you can talk through the contractions it’s usually Braxton Hicks…
try laying on your side, take a long bath or shower and drink a full glass of water they should go away

That was virtually the only before my placental abruption. I had some low pain. Then vomitting and diarrhea, and then I passed out. Get checked for anything abnormal. Because mine wasn’t an obvious sign that something was wrong, but it was

Time it - most likely Braxton hicks which is practice contractions, if contractions (tightenings) get quicker (less time apart) then potentially labour

Could be Braxton hicks… call your doctor.

With the diarrhoea it does kind of sound like it’s not far off, your body does usually clean itself out when preparing (for some people anyways) but when they say you’ll know then you will know if it’s true labour.

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Wow I’d definitely get checked out for sure…

Just get checked, people always say braxton hicks and they said the same to me. Didn’t believe I was in labour. Had my daughter at 33 weeks with no time for pain relief.

Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What are the signs of labor?

Braxton Hicks my love, chill and take it easy! I got them at 6 months (scared me to death) then they went away once her head flipped downwards.

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Yes. Call your OB on Monday, and see if they’ll start doing an NST every week, sometimes twice a week.

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Sounds like Braxton, but like stated call your doctor I’m sure he/she will want to check to see if you are dilated. Exciting time, congratulations!

Yes it most definitely is, my labours were all similar to this. I’d call your maternity ward and go in for a check up.

No but it’s probably your body preparing for labor I had that the last month and a half of pregnancy. But everyone is different

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Braxtons Hicks seem to me not diarrhea I have not a clue contact your ob in the mean time stay hydrated

Sooooo for me I didn’t feel none of that front pain my labor was back labor felt like bad lower back pains and then pressure (head coming in)

Sounds like Braxton Hicks :woman_shrugging:t4: false labor but it’s all to prep your body…real labor pains are much more intense

I’ve heard diarrhea is a sign labor can start soon. Real contractions tend to start in the lower back around to the front & are painful. Braxton Hicks tends to be the front of the belly tightening or in one spot or on one side & uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What are the signs of labor?

I had this and gave birth at 37 weeks bearing in mind he was my Forth child so very common too deliver slightly early if it’s your 2nd or more baby, keep hydrated has I was having pains with my 3rd that felt like labour but they gave me fluids through a drip and the pain stopped but I was In the process of being induced shortly after due to other reason I would definitely drink alot of fluids try apple and pineapple juice x

Im currently 40 weeks, had hot flushes, diarrhea and intermittent cramping at 37 weeks but shes still in there. :roll_eyes:

Best to seek medical advice first thing …I wish you all the best x

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Make sure you are well hydrated, and call your doctor just to be safe.

I’ve had this for around a week, I’m 38 weeks and nothing :expressionless:

Not in all cases but I had this followed by bleeding then had my boy in the evening at 34 weeks . Defiantly ring your maternity unit. Who check you and your baby. Xx

From experience (not saying it will happen to you) I had that at 29 weeks thought the belly cramps and diarrhoea was a bug went into labour over night had him spent 8 weeks on neonatal so ring hospital better be safe than sorry x

You need to be seeing your doctor/midwife, not asking here!

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Iv been the same and I’m 34wks feel like my period is about to arrive :weary: I’m getting induced the 25th at 37wks if he doesn’t come sooner! Make sure your drinking lots of water that usually is reason why I get lots of Braxton hicks if I don’t drink enough x

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Diarrhea can give you bad cramps, but You should definitely go see your doctor to get checked.

You’d know if it was Labour as it would be very regular and pain would increase rapidly too. Probably just the hicks. I had these with all 3 pregnancies from around 30 weeks pregnant. All 3 were past their due dates, had sweeps and was eventually induced with 1 pregnancy.

Diarrhea could be causing the “contractions” as well. Something besides labor could be going on. Too many what if’s. Call your doctor.

It could be Braxton Hicks brought on by dehydration.
At 33 weeks you don’t want labor to be soon, call your doctor and see what they say.

Yep sounds like Braxton Hicks to me

Like someone else posted if you get more than six in an hour you need to go to the ob department and get checked just to be on the safe side

Braxton hicks! Don’t be alarmed! It happens.

no. there Braxton hicks

No joke i pooped my brains out before labor with both my girls​:unamused::flushed::nauseated_face: then ended up in labor after.

Drink lots of water, lay on your left side and if it stops you’re good… if hasn’t stopped within 30min or so, you need to go to dr

When in doubt, check it out. I didn’t get ANY contractions or anything before my son was born. I was at work and my water broke. It wasn’t until about 4 hours after my water broke that I actually went into labor. So just go in and they will tell you.

Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What are the signs of labor?

Braxton hicks can feel real, you’ll know when it’s real labor trust me lol

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Yup. Went in to labor on Thursday. Even dilated. Got to the hospital and it stopped. Went back home and finally went in to labor on Tuesday and had my son.

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Get checked out that happened to me with my last baby and I thought it was lighting crotch and I was in labor ended up pushing to the hospital and having my baby in the labor and delivery hallway . She came 9 weeks early . I would get checked out. Better safe then sorry.

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I’d get checked. I’m 30 weeks and was told anything I even think is a contraction to go in especially if it’s consistent.

Could be Braxton hicks. But presently im dealing with what the doctor call prodromal labour. Which is real contractions that go no where unfortunately. It’s my body preparing for the real deal but could take days, weeks, even a month to get to real labour she said.
Mind you it starts around the same time every night now, so there’s a pattern to it. It just doesn’t increase in time and intensity to signify active labour.
It truly sucks and is so uncomfortable. I feel for you :sob:

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I would try to keep baby in as long as possible my oldest was born at 33 weeks and was in nicu for a while if you feel like they are real contractions go with your gut and get checked so they can stop your labor

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Girl get your butt to the hospital. You need to get checked and possibly prevent a NICU baby. Go now

You should go and get checked even tho its more likely braxton hicks because if labour started and suddenly stopped baby could be in distress and its still too early to be born always always get checked

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Your body is getting ready for labor. It’s pretty normal. If your worried, get checked out.

It happened to me, and they weren’t Braxton hicks. My labor started and then stopped. And then started again the next day.

I have 5 kids and was always told if I had more than 5 contractions in an hour go get checked

See a doctor love. It’s hard to give a definite answer online because labor is different for everyone. My first baby was born at 35 weeks via emergency c-section but most likely would’ve been born earlier if I hadn’t mistook my labor as Braxton Hicks and spontaneous leakage of
amniotic fluid for me peeing myself like I had basically done my entire pregnancy.

I can promise you will know when it’s actual labor. When you can’t speak during a contraction it’s time to go to the hospital. OR if your water breaks always go

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You can have real contractions an be dilating for weeks. Lay on your left side an drink a glass of water, if they stop then continue on. If they don’t an get worse go to labor delivery or call doctor first.

Following! I’ve been having contractions, horrible lighting crotch and lots of cramping. I’m 32 weeks.

Everyone is different. I personally never went into labor on my own. My mom didn’t even know she was in labor with my brother. She went to get checked if she was leaking fluid and found out she was and was also 5cm dilated already and in active labor. Had no pain lol.

Might want to call your Dr

Call. Your. Doctor. Now.

It can be tiresome but when that far along, we found everything a reason to go to the doctor or call our midwife. Definitely better safe than sorry. Could be Braxton hicks, or could be early labor

If in doubt get checked out and make sure to do your kick counts

Could be braxon Hicks but please get checked. I know everyone is different but contractions for me were severe I couldn’t even talk when I had them

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I’m 35 weeks pregnant
Was told it’s braxton hicks
But better be safe call your doctor

Always call your obgyn just like your beautiful baby every pregnancy is different.

Mom of 3, I wish I could tell you but I never got to experience natural labor. I was induced with all of mine.

I was having contractions for few weeks before I went intill active labour ended up 11 days over … hospital will only see u if 3 /5 mins apart and constant …ring them if ur worried x

Braxton Hicks. Your body is getting ready. Real labor won’t stop. Next time if you get 4 or more contractions in an hour for 4 hours go in because it’s most likely real labor

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What is lightning crotch?

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