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I get those period like cramps, too. I read that those could be BH, and that true labor starts higher & in the back. Since I'm a first timer, I'm no expert! What's weird is that most times when I get the period type cramping, it is exactly when my period would be coming if I weren't pregnant. How weird is that?

No contraction is a "fake" contaction. A uterine contraction of any sort is REALLY your uterus tightening and releasing. While it may not be a LABOR contraction, it could be braxton hicks contractions. These are irregular, and are not accompanied by any pain. They usually will not last long, and when you lie down, and rehydrate your self, you should notice that they subside. If they become uncomfortable, or regular... or if you have more than 10 per hour, (even if they are not regular) you need to call your doctor. How far along are you?

well obviously is not a fake contraction. i just figured most people would know what i meant by saying "fake" since thats how my dr calls it. im 32 weeks.

I hate when physicians use that term. It really got off with me when my nurse, and OB kept insisting that when I was 20 something weeks pregnant and having contractions that they wer BH contractions.... WELL... Braxton Hicks contraction are not regular, are not painful, and DO NOT cause you to dialate. I think I was 22 weeks then.... a few days later, I was in the hospital dialted to 4cm and in active labor....my OB then decided that maybe they were the real thing.... I delivered 9 weeks later (thank goodness they stopped my labor)

How about practice contractions? That's what I equate BH with . My tummy also gets rock hard, usually if I have to pee real bad or if I change positions too quick. Now I have been getting period-like cramping just lately and I'm almost 33 wks. But as you said it never lasts and if I lay down they go away. I hear true labor is one of those things you'll just know in your gut.

I wasnt sure if I was in labor or not... I think b/c it was SOOO early. I had really bad back labor... (in my kidney area) I thought I was getting a kidney infection. I ended up going to the ER... *thats when they checked me and said I was dialated!* I could have ended up having her that night if I had waited any longer to go...

MrsShelton217 how scary!! Yeah mine are not regular and come and go. I notice when i drink water it goes away. Im just so nervous that when I do get to that point of actually going into labor im not going to know that im in labor!

Some women don't feel a whole lot in the front of their stomach when they are in labor, until labor progresses to the latter stages.... if you do start having back pain... and I mean BACK PAIN... not a dull ache.... but to the point to where the only relief you can get is nothing.... If that happens... dont hesitate.. get to the hospital

MrsShelton217 thanks for the advice. Any time i get back pain now its usually when i stand for a long time, or it will go away within 30 min or so. Im assuming thats normal... someone in my labor classes had terrible back pain and she went to the hospital not thinking it was labor, turns out that was her contractions and she ended up delivering a healthy baby at 33 weeks... Thats what im afraid of happening.

dear MrsShelton217, So you had your baby at weeks of 31? Did the baby come out okay? I'm 31 weeks right now. start having frequent BH contractions lately, and few menstruation cramps, backache. but no signs of dialation yet. I worry that the baby will come out early. How did the docs stopped your labor? did they use any medication? did you have to bed rest for that 9 weeks?

I am also confused about the difference between feeling the cramping and the tightening. Sometimes I just feel menstrual, like I'm about to start. I feel that ache in my lower back and pelvis. The tightening is a completely different sensation.

Dont worry ladies i Have had the cramping and tightening for quite some time now and I am now 38 weeks and 1 day and still no sigh of labor. Lots of BH but nothing else. I had alot of bh with my first child too. If the cramping becomes regular like you can time between them and it gets more and more severe and they last the same amount of time then you will want to get checked out it could be something more then a bh (i had to have my contractions stopped at 20 weeks this pregnancy with drugs through a IV). Also if you start to bleed you may want to call your doctor (not bloody show, but heavy menstrual bleeding).
Good luck!!