How do you know when its the real thing?

[Maruschke]

When I dilated from 3 to 4 cm I had a consistent but light bleed. Are you bleeding at all?

[Traveller]

There are lots of signs, but for most women it would be when contractions are strong and regular (about 3 contractions in 10 minutes). However some women will have "weak" contractions ten minutes apart then a baby straight away so there's no absolute hard and fast rule. 3cm cervix prior to labour for someone who has birthed before is really not unusual though so please be reassured, it's not a sign that when labour starts it will be fast or that it will start soon. Are you far away from where you expect to give birth and worried about having the baby on the road?

[LuluHB]

I had a light bleed a few days ago but nothing since then. I'd been stupid and mopped the floor so I just put it down to that.

Traveller - Yep. Terrified of birthing on the side of the road - especially if I'm going to do it any time soon with a tiny prem. We're a good 45 minutes from the hospital at best - worse if its peak hour. DD2 was born VERY quickly - we lived 5 minutes from the hospital when she was born.

[Traveller]

Rule of thumb (especially at your gestation) is that if you are worried, then get checked out

[Kazbah]

Sorry, I can't help - I didn't know I was in labour with Quoll until the midwife put her hand on my belly and said contractions were strong. I can say however that the contractions between the 2 pregnancies were very different.

[Beach Mama]

babe - I would call and see what your hospy says - they may want you to go in for some monitoring?

[sangie]

Agree with Tanstar, I'd call and see what they say hun