Question about contractions

[Charla]

Yeah, I know, pretty random to ask on my scrapping site :giggle:

My midwife has me on "couch potato status" until I hit 36 weeks (I'm 34.5 right now) because I'm 40% effaced and 1cm dilated. She says some people can stay like that for weeks, but since I'm a redhead she 'doesn't trust me' so she wants me off my feet.

So I'm getting lots of scrapping/emailing/Sudoku-ing time :rotfl:

But the question I have...
She wants me to call if I've had more than 4 contractions, longer than 30 seconds each, in an hour.

In a situation like this, does that usually mean "real" contractions, or does she want to hear about Braxton-Hicks as well, since they may be causing the effacement?

Oh, and please don't tell me how I could still go late. I've prayed since I first suspected I was pregnant that I'd go early this time, so the thought of being on bedrest to prevent premature labor and then going more than 40 weeks makes me completely :crazy: so encourage me with stories of being in a situation like this and going at 36-37 weeks, not 40-41, please!! Thanks :loveshower:

[cherpea]

Sorry I can't be of much help Charla... I don't even know what Braxton Hicks feel like... never had them... and since I was induced with both... I don't even know what the mild contractions of early labour feel like!

Hang in there girlie... just a little bit longer... oh and if you are really worried ring your midwife she should put your mind at ease...

[bderby]

totally different situation, but with my boys, I was on bedrest for 8 weeks b/c of pre-term labor and ended up going at 36 wks 3 days.

I don't really know that I could tell the difference between braxton hicks and regular contractions at that point, and I am all about being touch with the midwife and getting as much reassurance as possible.
Sorry I am not more help!

[nicoleseitler]

I've always thought that Braxton Hicks where the more "ticklish" sort of "gee, my belly is tight" contractions and not the same as those mini "am I in labor now?" contractions that come before labor really kicks in.

I wouldn't want you to worry your midwife who jumps into action when it's just a little thing... so you'd have to decide... are they bad? Do they make you feel like you're in labor? If not, I'd just rest some more and ignore it. ;) Don't worry little momma. :hugs: It's probably normal and not doing much of anything.

[Dani Alencar]

Charla... I'm glad you are ok and just waiting for it... as I said.. take your time, relax... Can't wait to see this cute baby!

[MariKoegelenberg]

Well from what I have read up...and what I also experienced with my pregnancy was that it was not true contractions when I stand up and move round and it goes away. If that helps? I dont know if I had Braxton Hicks because mine just felt like mild period pain...even landed in the hospital one night when my back started aching and I had blood coming out...I never really felt something that felt like a 'contraction' per se but when they placed me on the monitor thingy they said I was having them so yeah. Had a scare again later in the pregnancy but when it went away when I started moving I was not worried about it. Did they give you an injection to stop the contractions?

[cherpea]

oh hey Mari's comment just made me remember when I was having DD 1 (late in preg) I got a serious chest infection which in turn caused my asthma to flare up... I was told though that by having to take my asthma meds that there was very little chance of me going into labour early... that they are known to prevent labour from happening... don't know if they use asthma meds to help prevent labour if you aren't asthmatic though...

[tamra]

Well, I didn't want to say anything when I saw the first post that you were on bed rest since you were at 40%, but now that you're asking... I was at 60% effaced and 2 cm dilated for a day short of 4 weeks. Yes, 4 weeks at 60%! That was with my 4th baby, too. On a good note though... I didn't go over! I had him 2 days before my due date. Hopefully you won't go over either :) ((BIG HUGS)) and best wishes.

About the contractions... I think I would only count the REAL contractions that you know aren't just braxton-hicks.

[Charla]

Thanks, everyone. I figured I'll call them this morning to find out what, exactly, they want me tracking.

braxton-hicks keep coming, especially in the mornings and evenings. They're not crampy, but enough to make me stop and relax through them.

Just 8 days 'til it's safe for him to come play :dance: :flirty:

[Charla]

Okay, the nurse said the midwife wants to know about "real" contractions, but that it can be hard to tell them apart. So she says I should call if they're consistent and steady.

:good: very good to know!