True Vs. False Labor

During the last month of my pregnancy before, I experienced lot's of "false" labor. False labor pains are called Braxton Hicks contractions. They tend to occur more often as your due date draws near during the last month of pregnancy. Sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions are very mild. They can barely be felt or feel like a slight tightness in your abdomen. Other times, they can be painful. These contractions help your body gear up for birth, but do not do much open the cervix. Braxton Hicks contractions often occur in the afternoon or evening, after physical activity and sexual intercourse. They are more likely when a woman is tired or dehydrated. Be sure you drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.

If you have contractions, time them. Note how long its is from the start of one contraction to the start to the next. Keep a record for an hour and also jot down how your contractions feel. You can walk around or do household tasks while you are timing your contractions. The time between contractions will help tell you if you are in the True or False labor. Painful contractions don't always signal true labor. Painless ones don't always mean false labor, either. Each woman feels pain differently, and it can differ from one pregnancy to another.

It's easy to be fooled by false labor. Even a doctor, midwife, or nurse can have a hard time telling false labor from the real thing. He or she may need to observe you for a few hours to decide. A vaginal exam also will be done to see if your cervix is opening. No matter what your watch says about the timing of contractions, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you think you may be in labor, call your doctor or midwife's office or hospital. These are other signs that should prompt a call:

* You have symptoms of labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy

* Your water (the fluid-filled amniotic sac that surrounds the baby during pregnancy) breaks.

* You have vaginal bleeding.

* You have constant, severe pain, with no relief between contractions.

* You have a fever or chills

* The baby seems to be moving less.

And here are the list of False and True Labor.

False Labor

* Contractions often are irregular; they dont get closer together as time goes on.

* Contractions may stop when you walk, rest, or change position.

* Contractions often are weak, and they tend to stay that way; or strong contractions are followed by weaker ones.

* Pain usually is felt only in the front.

True Labor

* Contractions come at regular intervals and get closer together. They last 30-90 seconds.

* Contractions keep coming no matter what you do.

* Contractions steadily get stronger.

* Pain usually start in the back and moves to the front.