Contractions - how do I know if I am having them?

[gemmapops]

Hello

I am 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby and this afternoon I am having some pains just below my bump a bit like a mild period pain. How do I know if these are contractions or just general aches and pains?

I know that contractions will get more regular and painful but I was wondering what other mums out there felt when they started labour

xx

At the risk of sounding a bit smug and cliche, you'll know! For some women the contractions never ramp up very much (lucky things!) but for most, a real contraction is absolutely unmistakable - it stops you in your tracks, you can't speak very well or at all during it, you have to concentrate on your breathing, and it bloody hurts!! Those mild periody pains can go on for weeks before the real thing starts but once it does you won't be in any doubt.

It shows everything is going the right way but although Mild period type pain can be sign of your body preparing for labour...bad news is that can come and go for weeks ... Sorry!

Contractions in active labour are regular as clockwork, and, as they get more powerful, really make it hard for you to speak whilst they go on on.

I second the slightly unhelpful but true opinion that you just know. If you're wondering if you're having contractions then I'd guess you aren't as there's not really any mistaking the real thing. Or at least there wasn't for me!

I agree with the above but at 36 weeks your baby we'd still be premature and its best to get checked if the pains are coming and going. Just give labour ward a ring and see what they say. Hope baby stays put for a while.

*would not we'd

you'll know. It'll take a couple of hours for you to know but once things get going then they'll build up so the only way to know is wait and see or have an internal exam.

Thanks everyone, I still haven't given birth yet so they weren't the real thing. It's just a waiting game now :0)

I disagree with the 'you just know' position. I was staying with my mum when I went into labour with my first. I had very mild period pains and couldn't tell if they were regular or not. Very, very gradually they got a bit stronger, but I still didn't think I was in labour. I mentioned it to my mum, in a 'how do I know' confused kind of way, like you've asked here. She immediately whisked me away to the maternity hospital. I was so embarassed as I knew I was wasting their time and was going to get sent home again. (Although I did have one contraction which stopped me in my tracks as I got out of the car). I was horrified to find myself being immediately admitted as I was 8cm dilated and baby arrived 2 hrs later.