If not, give them a call and ask. These videos explain more about how contractions feel and how to time contractions. If you're having lower back pain along with contractions, it may be a signal that you're having back labor. The pain from back labor continues between contractions, though it may get stronger during contractions. Back pain usually means that your baby's head is pressing against your lower back, though one theory suggests that the pain may be "referred" from your uterus to your lower back.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina. It may come out in a large gush or a small trickle, or anything in between. If you're not sure whether your water broke, call your doctor or midwife to discuss your symptoms. Labor usually follows soon after your water breaks — regular contractions often start before this, but in some cases, the water breaks first.
If your water breaks when you're full term but you're not in labor not having contractions , it's called premature rupture of membranes PROM. If you don't start having contractions on your own within six to 24 hours of your water breaking, your provider will most likely recommend that labor be induced.
That's because your baby is more likely to get an infection without the amniotic sac's protection against germs. Most providers will offer you an immediate induction but give you the option to postpone if you want to give labor a chance to start on its own. If you're leaking amniotic fluid before 37 weeks, it's called preterm premature rupture of membranes PPROM , and it may mean your baby will be delivered prematurely due to the increased risk of infection.
Whenever your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife. Call them even if you think your water broke but aren't sure. Regardless of contractions, if you're group B strep positive you'll need to start on antibiotics as soon as your water breaks to prevent an infection in your baby. Labor usually starts between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labor.
It's also known as premature labor. It can be difficult to tell whether you're having preterm labor or not, because some of the symptoms like Braxton Hicks and low back pain may be things you've experienced throughout your pregnancy. Still, call your doctor or midwife right away if you're having any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks:.
If you are — or might be — in preterm labor, your doctor or midwife may give you medications to help your baby's lungs mature, and to protect their brain. You may also receive medicine to stop or slow early contractions. Getting these medications early can improve outcomes for your baby, so be sure to call if you think you may be in preterm labor.
It can be hard to tell at first. But the frequency, length, intensity, and location of your contractions can help you figure out whether you're in true labor or are having Braxton Hicks contractions.
How changing positions, walking, and rest affect your contractions provide more clues. Additionally, if you notice any bloody show with your contractions, they're probably true labor contractions. No matter how well informed you are about the signs of labor, it's normal to have a false alarm.
Don't be embarrassed about calling your doctor — or showing up at the hospital — because you think you're in labor when you're not.
If you're assessed at the hospital and sent home because you're not in labor yet, your care team will give you specific instructions about changes to look for in the next few days or weeks and when to call or come back. Toward the end of your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will most likely give you clear guidelines about when to let them know that you're having contractions, and when you should grab your hospital bag and head to the hospital or birth center. Your instructions will depend on your individual situation — such as whether you have a high-risk pregnancy or other complications , if this is your first baby, if you're planning a cesarean delivery , and how far you live from the hospital or birth center.
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, they'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, occur every five minutes for about an hour, and are very uncomfortable. If you're unsure whether it's time, go ahead and call. Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women for guidance about whether they're in labor.
When you call, your doctor or midwife will get some clues about your condition from the sound of your voice. They'll want to know:. Your provider will also take your obstetric history into account. What number baby is this for you? Did you have fast labors in the past? Have you had a c-section and are you planning to have one this pregnancy? Are you group B strep positive or negative? If your water breaks, call your provider. They may have you wait at home until you also have regular contractions or a certain amount of time has passed, or they may want you to head to the hospital.
If you tested positive for group B streptococcus, for example, your provider will want you to go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks so you can start taking antibiotics. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. How to tell when labor begins. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. What are the symptoms of labor? Guidelines for Perinatal Care. Braxton Hicks contractions are a tightening in your abdomen that comes and goes.
They are contractions of your uterus in preparation for giving birth. They tone the muscles in your uterus and may also help prepare the cervix for birth.
They will be able to tell by doing a vaginal examination — if there are no signs that your cervix is changing, it is not labour. Braxton Hicks contractions feel like muscles tightening across your belly, and if you put your hands on your belly when the contractions happen, you can probably feel your uterus becoming hard. The contractions come irregularly and usually last for about 30 seconds.
Braxton Hicks contractions occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks.
In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. In late pregnancy, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more often — perhaps as much as every 10 to 20 minutes.
This is a sign that you are preparing for labour — known as prelabour. There are some differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labour contractions that will help your doctor or midwife decide whether you are in labour:. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, contractions can be a sign of premature labour. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if:.
If you are full-term, you may choose to wait until a bit later in your labour, depending on what you have arranged with your doctor or midwife. But if you feel uncomfortable, you can try:. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. You'll probably be having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions by now.
It's your body's way of preparing for the birth. They should stop if you move position. Parenthood Pregnancy Braxton-Hicks Contractions vs. Real Contractions. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. What are Braxton-Hicks contractions? What are real labor contractions? Real contractions that begin before the 37th week can be classified as premature labor. You may experience fluid leaking from your vagina. How can you tell the difference? As early as the second trimester, but more often in the third trimester After your 37th week of pregnancy if they come earlier, this can be a sign of preterm labor How often do they come?
From time to time, in no regular pattern At regular intervals, getting closer and closer together in time How long do they last? From less than 30 seconds to 2 minutes From 30 to 70 seconds How do they feel? Like a tightening or squeezing, but not usually painful Like a tightening or cramping that comes in waves, starting in the back and moving to the front, getting more intense and painful over time.
Parenthood Pregnancy 3rd Trimester. The Best Mom Blogs of Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
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