real contractions vs. BH contractions

Hi all!! Well, I am 35w 3d now....so excited! This morning I woke up to my low back hurting and feeling crampy, as if I was going to start my period. It actually woke me up. I tried not to think much of it though. Well, I had my NST and all was good, my ultrasound went well, and my visit with my OB went well too. I found out that I am 3cm dilated, but my cervix is still thick and long. All day I was still having a constant back ache and menstrual-like cramps. They never hurt though. Now tonight I have been having SOOOO many more, what seems like, BH contractions. They don't hurt and aren't consistent quite yet, although there's been a few that have been a little painful causing me to breathe through them.

I do not know how I'm going to know if I am really in labor or not. My Dr. wants me to come in if the contractions are 15 minutes apart. Are they painful by that point? Please help me and let me know how you knew it was real. I would appreciate any input. I have 2 other children, but neither of them started with contractions at home (water broke with the oldest and I was induced with my 2nd).

I love this website because I get the BEST advice, encouragement and input!! Thank you all in advance.

 

i had crampy period like contractions that came & went in no discernible pattern. my OB told me to go in if i had more than 6 in an hour that didn't go away after a couple of large glasses of water, emptying my bladder & resting for an hour. they weren't at all what i would describe as painful but when they wouldn't go away, i went into the hospital. i was 4 cm dilated & my girls were born the next morning. for me, the contractions didn't become painful until after my water broke.

i would say listen to your doc's advice. but if you're concerned, go in & get checked. it can't hurt.

 

My doc said to call even if they were BH every 15. My water broke so it was moot, but even when were going to the hosp they weren't come as often as 15 minutes. Then an hour in they were coming every 2! Good luck! 35 weeks is great!

 

I went into labor naturally with my third child (induced with the first two) and my contractions started off as menstrual type cramping. It would come and go not in any type of pattern. Finally after a couple hours or so they became more regular and started coming every 15, 10, then 7 mins apart. By the time they were 7mins apart they hurt really bad. The 10min ones were really uncomfortable but not painful. Over the past week I have been getting a lot of those types of menstrual cramping but they always fizzle out.