Pregnancy : How do YOU ‘know’ if it’s REAL LABOUR?
I’m 36.5 weeks pregnant now.
So, if baby chooses to follow big sister and big brother’s timing (ie. At 38 and 37.5 weeks respectively), it’d mean baby no.3 will actually be in our arms … NEXT WEEK?
Can’t wait!!
[Yep, IF I could choose, I’d prefer to deliver sooner than later =)]
Anyway.
With regards to THE BIG DAY itself, I’ve always wondered about this question – How do YOU know that it’s time to go to the hospital?
I know that this is my THIRD time round, and some people feel I should really know what to expect and all, yes?
Noooo.
Each child birth story can be totally different.
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The stories of my first two ‘child births’ were pretty much ‘similar’ :
> Anya
Water bag broke (ie. trickled down my legs) at around 10am when I was at home. No spotting. No contractions. Called the hospital and was asked to come over. Casually showered, ate breakfast, then Wilson and I took a taxi to the hospital. Reached the hospital at about 1pm. Contraction started to get worse at about 5pm, I think. Anya was born at about 11pm.
> Vai
Water bag broke at about 6am when I was in bed (more like a ‘mild gush’). No spotting. No contractions. Dropped 2yo Anya to a friend’s place, took a taxi with Wilson to the hospital. Contractions got really intense after the nurse ‘completely’ burst the water bag at about 9.30am. Vai was born at about 1pm.
[Me holding onto the ‘laughing gas mask’, in 2006, a few hours before Vai was born]
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You see, I’m hoping the water bag would break again this time round, just so that it’s obvious enough for me to know that it’s time to go to the hospital =)
BUT, things can always be different this time round.
I mean, how would I know if the contractions I’m getting are the REAL thing? (ie. NOT just the usual Braxton Hicks contractions that I experience every so often these days). Because the contractions will be increasingly intense, longer in duration, and the ‘intervals’ get shorter each time too, yes?
If it’s THAT obvious, well … then I guess, it’s okay (because I know I can be a bit ‘blur’ when it comes to such situations =)
Thing is, I’ve also heard of stories where the mom only experienced ‘discomfort’ on her lower ‘area’. Water bag didn’t break. No spotting. No contractions. And when she casually went to see her gynae because she happened to be near the clinic, she gave birth TWO hours after that!
So, out of curiosity, I asked this question to the moms on my Facebook today :
“How did YOU know that it’s time to go to hospital? Did your water bag break? Spotting? Heavy contractions?”
Check out this blog post’s comment section to read what many moms have shared on my Facebook!
[Btw, if you’re not yet on my Facebook, you’re most welcome to add me =)]
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And, I would LOVE to hear MORE stories from the many moms out there!
How was it for you?
Please do share yeah! I’d love to hear them!
Thanks, everyone!
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Hi June,
Glad that the sharing and stories help! =)
Yep, I totally know what you mean when you said you’ve been having contractions and pressure down below 🙂 How’s the check at the gynae?
Hope everything is going well so far all the way to the actual day of delivery …
I’ve benefited much from reading this post (and the many interesting comments from your FB page!)…I’m at 38 wks today. I’ve been experiencing some contractions (alot of false alarms) in the past wk or so, and some more today. Alot of pressure has been building up, erm, in the pelvis area. Going for my gynae check today, so hoping for the best! :)) Thanks for sharing!
Hi Chloe,
Thanks for dropping me a note! So how is it so far? You said it’ll be Sunday, which is tomorrow! (or perhaps baby’s already in your arms by the time this message is sent to you =)
Anyway, wishing you all the best with your delivery! Stay in touch!
this post is so timely! i’m due on sunday and I’m waiting at home for signs. i keep sitting around wondering how it’s going to be like!
Hi Madeline,
Thanks for dropping me a note to let me know about your blog post! Went to check it out immediately =) Thanks for sharing …
Coincidentally, I wrote just wrote a post on my birth experience too =)
Mine was contractions then waterbag broke then spotting! Typical delivery no inductions.
@Damien:
Thanks for pointing out the obvious =)
I hope to know the symptoms before THAT happens …
How do you know if the labour is real? The baby comes out!!!
Here are MORE stories and advice shared by others on my Facebook!
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My 3rd child : Reached hospital at 8a.m., and baby was born 45min later.
The night before, gynae checked and I was 2cm dilated. Heavier contractions, signed me to go hospital. Believe me, 3rd one is way much faster.
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My 2nd labour time was cut down by half, as compared to my first. My contractions came fast and furious, thank goodness I sounded the siren before it was too late. I was 8cm dilated when I checked in to hospital. Couldn’t even walked because I was having the pushing effect down there! =) Grab your bag and go when it’s time! =)
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Water membrane rupture and regular contractions are the most ideal & observable signs, because they show that the baby’s engagement is already low.
Other signs: the ‘unplugging’ of the cervix (i.e. when you see pinkish/reddish discharge-like mucous plug coming out when u shower/in yr panties). This indicates the baby’s low engagement, too =) More pressure on the pelvis and soreness on the upper part of vagina are signs of cervix dilation.
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For me, it was pretty fast, always prompted by contractions, once with a ‘show’. Took 2 hours to deliver. I opted to induce the younger one because I was 3 cm dilated, but after induced, dilation did not happen and I choose to be on epidural because I wanted to get the birth process quickly over (older boy must be missing us).
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I actually had to call the hospital to ask – I wasn’t sure – I had mild contractions but not very close together, so they said stay @ home. Then I had greenish discharge – which was not good – so they said to come in & we did – waited till next morning before baby arrived.
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Cramps!
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My water never broke with any of my three kids. A few days before things started shifting and seeming strange. My final indicator was the strong, stop me in my tracks, every 5 minute contractions and something inside of me that “I just knew”. When in doubt, go. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Some moms shared their ‘child birth’ stories (and advice) on my Facebook (Thanks ladies!!), and here they are.
Hope they are insightful to you too!
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My water was literally trickling & I didn’t wait to go to the hospital. Just a note, spotting without contractions MUST be checked, even it means to be induced!
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I had spotting (Water bag didn’t break, no contraction). And I felt like ‘pooping’ =) Called the clinic and was asked to go to hospital immediately.
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I never experienced water bag breaking / spotting.. Both my kids were big babies, so during appt at 37 weeks, Doc decided to induce.
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My 3 labours had only been contractions, when it got down to about 5-10mins apart then I went to hospital. Water bag was never broken, only when it’s close to pushing time that the Doc would break the waters.
I usually know when it is the real labour contractions vs Braxton Hicks, as mine always started in the lower back. My no.3 came very quick, contractions till birth was 2 hours, a bit quick that I drove myself to hospital at the end, hee. But I don’t recommend that : ) Catch a cab, safer!
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I guess you will get the cue when the time comes. All my three made grand entrance with their own way & style! =)
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I rang the hospital when my contractions were 5 mins apart. My contractions started on Monday. I rang d hospital on Tuesday 6pm. I was asked to stay at home until contractions were closer. When my contractions were 1 min apart, i rang the hospital again, and I was told to come. I went & I was only 4cm dilated. I was given the option to go home & wait at home if I wanted to. But it was my 1st time, so I was a bit kiasu. Chose to stay at the hospital because I wouldn’t have a clue when I should go back to hospital.
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My two girls had different ways of telling me they’re coming to the world:)
The first one: my water broke at 7pm (no pain whatsoever), didn’t realise that it’s a sign. Called the hospital but they told me to wait for the contractions at home. By 12.30am the contraction started every 5mins, went to the hospital and she was born 8 hours later.
Second one: Scheduled to be induced on the 18th March but I had strong painful contractions in the morning the day before (no water break), rushed to the hospital and I was already 6cm dilated. She was born 2 hours later.
I guess each child is different, so once you have strong contractions every 5 mins, IT’S TIME! No need to wait for water to break. 🙂
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A bit of spotting and cramps in constant period.
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1st child : Water leaked mildly. Checked in hospital, was induced and once labour kicked in, delivered in 1 hour flat.
2nd child : Gynae said ok he’s done, can induce tomorrow! OMG! So ok la. Induced & once labour kicked in, 3 hours delivery, because boy la, not so obedient hahaha
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When I got up that morning, I felt the tightening at the lower abdomen, but I brushed it off. Then it came again after 5 – 10 minutes. This time it was stronger and longer, so I knew I was in labour :). I was still able to walk downstairs (hmmm still “normal” is the better word than relax ya) hehehe I had to stand still when the contractions came again, so when it stopped, we quickly walked to the main road and caught a cab! 🙂