Early Labor??? - Saint Louis,MO

I am a midwife. Losing your plug does not mean you are in labor. Also the plug will regenerate itself after 24 hours. Labor is when the contractions get longer in duration, increase in intensity and the duration between each one shortens. It sounds like you have what is called an irritable uterus. Drink a glass of wine and take a warm bath. The wine will relax the uterus which is just a big muscle. This is perfectly safe. We tell women to do this all the time.

Lisa

This does not sound like Braxton Hicks especially because you have lost your mucous plug. I wouldn't be surprised if your water breaks soon. If you are close to your hospital and the contractions are at least 10 minutes apart, you could wait if you are more comfortable at home. When they get 5 minutes apart, regular or not, you should go to the hospital. Good luck. God bless!

My labor with my first was very straightforward -- obvious contractions right form the start, they got stronger and closer together, 9 hours later, baby. With my second, I had weak contractions on and off for most of a day, went to bed and slept through them, then my water broke in the middle of the night, strong and regular contractions started immediately after, and bam, 90 minutes later, baby. Anyhow, what I'm saying is that I think you'll know it when you're really in labor... until then, I would relax, take that warm bath, and rest if you can.

With both of my pregnancies, my contractions "coupled," meaning they came in twos. I would have one, then 2 minutes later have another; then 7 minutes, then 2. I kept thinking they were just BH because they weren't at regular intervals. They were so hard to time, so I just waited until I had trouble walking or talking through the contractions. With my first I started spotting, so I knew it was time. With the second, I was looking for the coupling, so I was pretty sure they were real as they got more intense and happened all morning long.

I've heard with BH to do the opposite of your action. If you're up on your feet walking and have them, then rest. If you're resting and have them, then get up and walk.

The little one will be here soon, although he may put up a fight until he does. :)

I lost my mucous plug with my first one, I was only 30-31 weeks pg, and I didn't have him for two more weeks. I did have contractions and was put in the hospital on bed rest, couldn't even get up to the bathroom, etc. Was sent home after 10 days and my water broke and he was born about 8 hours later as I was told to go in immediately if that happened as I was effaced over 50%, etc. With my second one it was a completely different thing. Braxton Hicks during the 9 months and yet when in labor mild cramping and pressure that made me think I needed to go to the bathroom so I sat there off and on and nothing. Finally I got contractions but I couldn't tell if it was real or not so a friend timed them while I was talking to her on the phone and they were close, not stopping and the baby was born an hour after I got there. These were much less painful that with my first or later children so you need to not go by the pain but the length of the contraction and how hard it is. With the other 6 kids it was different each time, some water broke and sharp contractions and some just a 'feeling' of dilation,, so I would say to just time them, if they really hurt and you have a time that is consistent, the contraction is harder, and it doesn't stop no matter what you do then you should get in to the hospital.

i did the same, long hard cramps with all 5 of mine, and was at 3 cm and up to 5cm for 3 weeks before going into labor with any of mine, the 1st one my water broke, 3 of them they had to induce labor a week late, and one of them came on his own just a couple days late. one of them they actually had checked me in, i had been cramping for 16 hrs 3-5 mins apart and then they stopped and they sent me home, i was back the next day again and they admitted me and decided to just let me walk til i went into labor... and my son was born...
you can try walking and walking and see if it gets stronger or if it goes away, or wait til your water breaks.
L.
momma of 5

if you lost the mucus plug i would say you are in labor. Call your OB if you want, but I would go to the Labor & Delivery to be checked out.

M.