What does early labor feel like?

[mrsdonati]

I'm 6 days away from my due date. I feel like I haven't peed in a really long time, so I'll try to go and I either don't have too or it's a tiny amount. Baby moves the slightest amouny and my whole belly gets hard and I can't even walk. I feel achy but the little contractions I'm having feel different than the ones I've been having for the past couple days.
My water broke out of nowhere in the middle of the night with Elena, and I ended up being induced after 9 hours of no contractions or anything, so I don't even know what early labor pains feel like.
I feel silly for even having to ask. What does early labor feel like? Is it all in my head and I should get back to work or should I leave to finish getting ready For the hospital?

[bliz1712]

I'm not a lot of help, but I wonder if what you are experiencing are just contractions? Maybe just time them and when they get either unmanageable pain-wise or are really close together then you should consider getting ready for the hospital. I think 5 minutes apart is really close and consistent. So 5 minutes and never off every 5 minutes. I think being that close you will probably experience some early contractions and it might not lead to labor.

I never really timed my contractions since both times my water broke and I was already in the hospital.

[samelly]

It's a different experience each time, so it's hard to know.

For me, it started with mild cramping - sort of like period cramps. I was still able to walk and do normal everyday things. I also had frequent bowel movements that day and lost my mucous plug.  So I knew baby was coming soon, but I didn't know how soon.  I didn't go to the hospital until my water broke and my contractions were not very strong until after it broke.

[jodielyn10]

They could be early contractions, but those can last for days before labor and/or peter out after a few hours. Like bliz1712, suggested, I would just time the pains and if they intensify and become closer together call you OB.

[xanthepants]

mrsdonati,I'd say that was similar to the day before I went into labor with Cosette. My stomach felt pretty hard off and on. But it got a lot worse and I felt like I had bigger contractions tha tI could time a while later.

[bantyrooster]

To me contractions feel exactly like I have to pee REALLY BAD! with gage I kept getting up to try to pee and my nurse was like those are your contractions. Super weird but that's how they feel to me! Time them!!

[tribute17]

Just throwing in my experiences. Mine started in my back both times. My lower back just really hurt and the whole day before I just felt off like I was about to get sick. Then I noticed that my back pains were coming about every 15-20 minutes, then they got to about 7-8 minutes. That lasted for about 12 hours before the actual stomach started contracting. Both times I went in when they got to about 5-7 minutes and my water broke as they were doing the exam. Good luck! It will be soon either way.

[sarasansh]

For me my sign was that my water broke, but leading up to that I had several days of prodromal labor. I had the kind of contractions you described, mixed with milder Braxton hicks and also stronger ones. Other than that I just felt like crap--tired, uncomfortable, achy in my back, tummy issues, short of breath. The day before my water broke I said to mh "I don't think I can get any more miserable."

Fwiw, if your water breaks it can take up to 24 hours for contractions to start. Most docs aren't comfortable with that and like to start fiddling earlier, but if you're looking for a low intervention birth and everything looks good, it's something to keep in the back of your head.

[aylafsu1881]

With my first my water broke and contractions started right away. It was whole belly tightening and back labor so I knew it was real.

The second time my water broke and I only had mild cramping for the first hour. It felt like random period cramps. They were sporadic but within an hour they picked up and a pattern established.

It sounds like you are having some contractions and it could be early labor. But early labor can ladtvfor days. Time them and see how they go. If they intensify and get closer together it is labor.

[aimeefarrahfowler]

mrsdonati how are you feeling today?

[mrsdonati]

Nov 3, 2015 9:55:19 GMT -5 aimeefarrahfowler said:

mrsdonati how are you feeling today?

Entering day 3 of prodromal labor. I have a Dr's appointment this afternoon, so hopefully she has some ideas. I've been bouncing, squatting, kneeling, rolling, and swiveling on a ball for the past few days.

[aylafsu1881]

Nov 4, 2015 6:49:09 GMT -5 mrsdonati said:

Nov 3, 2015 9:55:19 GMT -5 aimeefarrahfowler said:

mrsdonati how are you feeling today?

Entering day 3 of prodromal labor. I have a Dr's appointment this afternoon, so hopefully she has some ideas. I've been bouncing, squatting, kneeling, rolling, and swiveling on a ball for the past few days.

Try the miles circuit. It I'd walking with some excercises. My doula recommended it to me this time when water broke and I was only having some mild contractions. It got things going and I only halfway did it since I was also putting E to bed.

[mrsdonati]

Nov 4, 2015 8:40:19 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

Nov 4, 2015 6:49:09 GMT -5 mrsdonati said:

Entering day 3 of prodromal labor. I have a Dr's appointment this afternoon, so hopefully she has some ideas. I've been bouncing, squatting, kneeling, rolling, and swiveling on a ball for the past few days.

Try the miles circuit. It I'd walking with some excercises. My doula recommended it to me this time when water broke and I was only having some mild contractions. It got things going and I only halfway did it since I was also putting E to bed.

As soon as Elena gets off the bus in going to give it a try. I can't wait for step #2, it looks fantastic!

[aylafsu1881]

Nov 4, 2015 11:04:05 GMT -5 mrsdonati said:

Nov 4, 2015 8:40:19 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

Try the miles circuit. It I'd walking with some excercises. My doula recommended it to me this time when water broke and I was only having some mild contractions. It got things going and I only halfway did it since I was also putting E to bed.

As soon as Elena gets off the bus in going to give it a try. I can't wait for step #2, it looks fantastic!

Haha. I actually hated position #1 and #2 was only tolerable. I hate laying down during contractions. I mainly did #3 since I liked to be up and moving.

[cookiesandwine]

My first labor sign was diarrhea. Glamorous right. Hope things pick up soon for you!!!

[sarasansh]

Nov 4, 2015 6:49:09 GMT -5 mrsdonati said:

Nov 3, 2015 9:55:19 GMT -5 aimeefarrahfowler said:

mrsdonati how are you feeling today?

Entering day 3 of prodromal labor. I have a Dr's appointment this afternoon, so hopefully she has some ideas. I've been bouncing, squatting, kneeling, rolling, and swiveling on a ball for the past few days.

My water broke watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Maybe you need to up your Netflix!