When do I go into L&D? / Are these things real?

For the last 5+ hours I have had "contractions" .  They are about  45 seconds in length.  They were 10-12 minutes and are now about 7-8 minutes apart.   (Although as I type this they are creeping towards 5-6 minutes apart.) 

They are like very strong menstrual cramps that are in my back and kinda creep around to my front.  But they are low -- below my belly button. 

For some reason I always thought "real" contractions were higher up (across the bump of my baby).  Also -- these are very annoying and I suppose I'd say "painful" but I am able to talk while they are going on.  I'm not screaming or throwing things. 

I really don't want to get to L&D only to be turned away if these are Braxton Hicks. 

I have eaten - twice - since these started.  I have drank about 32 oz of liquid.  I tried laying down and walking.  The contractions are still happening.  

If these are BH....how do I get rid of them?  I won't be able to sleep tonight with this happening! 

Also - the baby is kicking up a storm!  I for some reason thought he'd be "quiet" while I was contracting, guess not, huh? 

Thanks in advance ! 

Cindy

I think once they are 5 mins apart I would go to the hospital!!! Yay!!! Mine were low in front and then also moved to my back! Sounds real to me!!

Jackie

It wouldn't hurt to go in. I didn't think my labor with Reagan hurt enough and that is why I waited too long and she was born in the van.

This may be TMI but do you feel like you have to poop? I always get that pressure when I am in labor and think I have too.

at 5-6 minutes I would call the OB and see what they recommend.  Each practice has different recommendations.  It sounds like the real thing to me...but I understand...my first time they sent me home and I was so embarrassed I didnt go bac****il the midwife called to check on me and I was in too much pain to talk to her...she ordered my husband to get me back to the hospital and I was 10cm when I arrived...good thing she called!! :) Blessings on a great delivery of a healthy baby!!

5 minutes apart, lasting a minute, strong enough so you can't talk through them, and staying that way for an hour. That's what we said for the first baby, anyway. I'm assuming you aren't already 3 or more centimeters dilated?

This may well be it, or they may ease up and let you sleep some. Eat lightly, drink plenty of fluids, walk around at intervals without getting too tired, otherwise rest. Sleep if you can.

I used to get those like 5 minutes apart and after an hour we'd get our stuff together to go to LD and they would all of a sudden stop!  I had to be induced...he was a brat.

Hope this is it for you!!  GOOD LUCK!!!

Sandy

sweetie you are in early labor!

YAY!  I think it is starting to happen for you!  When you get to 5, call!!!!

Laurie

I hope you've gone already. I could breath through mine. If I hadn't have statred timing them and gone in, I would've delivered at my house.lol. They were so low that the monitor didn't even pick them up at the hospital. Then they checked my cervix and I was 5 cm...Whoa.Soon, you will have your baby!!! Yipee!!!

Angie

I can't wait to hear if your early labor produced any results.  Just and FYI.. I had a lot of the same thing happening with my 3rd delivery.  Was a work all day, had cramps and back pain, then it turned into contractions that were uncomfortable but not really close or too regular.  Had a doctors appointment that day... got seen around 4:30 and this was the dialogue between me and my doc.

Doc: Did you bring your bag?
Me: No, Why?
Doc: Because you're staying. (offices were in the hospital)
Me: Why?
Doc: Because you're 6 cm dialated.

Went upstairs to labor and delivery.  Immediately asked for an epidural because I knew it was going to get worse and I didn't want to be left out in the cold.  I have no pain tolerance whatsoever.  I had her at 8:35pm. 

So you may be holding your little one right now =)

Hugs
B