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Am I In The First Stage Of Labor?

4 posts on this thread and the last post was on August 13th, 2005 2:36 AM
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L - August 10th, 2005 10:49 AM
 [Original Post]

i have very bothersome menstral-like cramps and a slight back ache in the lower region...the cramps are somewhat constant, however they do come and go at times, but have been more constant the last few hours. it has been this way for about 10 hrs now. I began losing my mucous plug 4 days ago and two days ago I was told i was 1 cm dilated and thinned out. this is my first child and i will be 39 weeks tomorrow. please help, i am terrified.

jay - August 10th, 2005 11:43 AM

Yes - you are in first stage labour - been there with the exact same symptoms. Be patient, time your contractions. Don't be scared, you will be fine, just keep an eye on your contractions - once they are 5 minutes apart - get to the hospital. Keep me posted!

Missy - August 10th, 2005 2:31 PM

Don't be too terrified L--it's much more of an exciting experience because it seems that pretty soon you will be meeting the precious child you have carried in your womb for so many months. I've always heard that the first stage feels like a dull back ache--so I agree with Jay on that. However with my first born, my water broke which forced the mucus plug loose and caused me to go into contractions all at once. So this pregnancy (I'm also 39 weeks) I am as in the dark as you. But according to experiences from others, congratulations! You are about to experience the greatest gift a woman can--childbirth! :)

L - August 13th, 2005 1:16 AM

yep...i ended up having my boy on august 10th at 10.48pm...7lbs 5oz...so that day i was indeed in labor...i waited until my contractions were 5 min. apart and called the doc, she told me to wait until they got more intense, so i did and they were 3 min. apart...i went to lay down while my hubby got home and my water broke as soon as i laid down...contractions were excruciating but the epidural was a life saver for me...it took 1 hr and 30 min of pushing to get him out but it was sooooooo worth it...i love love love him!!



Samantha - August 13th, 2005 2:36 AM

I delivered my 3rd baby on July 5th, 2005. She was my 1st to have without being induced. The night of the due date (June 25th) I started having contractions around 1am and they came regularly starting around 4am. At the hospital, they told me I was only 2cm, and contractions faded. When REAL labor began on July 4th, I felt at first the harden of my stomach, and then a lower backache. And OH MY GOD was that a long ride to the hospital! I was 8cm and 90% effaced and half hour later ready to push. I'd say definetely call when contractions get intense enough for you to worry about how you'll feel in half an hour. I took a couple weeks to fully lose my mucus plug. But when in any doubt what-so-ever call the doctor. If I didn't, I would have have Mary in the LONG car ride.