How do you know when its the real thing?

This probably sounds like the dumbest question in the world from a woman who has already birthed twice, but here it is anyway.

DD1 was induced so it wasn't like I was waiting for labour to start naturally. DD2 I knew because my hind waters broke (I'm quick!).

DD1 its all a bit blurry but I don't particularly remember having much braxton hicks and/or pre-labour (are they different things?) DD2 I had enormous amounts of very strong pre-labour from about 36 weeks, with many times thinking this is it after it continued for a couple of hours at regular intervals but then having it fade away. She was born at 41+2.

Over the last three days I've had "something" at night. Not painful just unpleasant IYKWIM - bit like period cramps. Its been really irregular so I haven't been concerned. Today though I've had more and they're a smidge stronger. Still not painful but I can definitely feel them. No regularity to them.

If I wasn't already 3cm dilated I wouldn't have the slightest concern and would just put it down to "warming up". I'm overthinking every niggle and twinge so its got me wondering . . .

How do you know its the real thing? Is it purely regular, or increasing regularity and/or strength or is there some magic way of KNOWING? What I wouldn't give for a flashing neon light that pops up saying "Yep, this is you babe" :rolleyes:

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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

Sounds like early labour I had with DD2. I had that for the day before and the day I went into labour.

I knew it was ramping up to the real thing when I could no longer lie down comfortably and I lost a whole heap of mucus. The cx really ramped up in intensity too.

But I'm guessing no 3 you could have lots of this earlier?

Isn't there something too about if you get up and move and it fades away, it's just pre-labour? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? :think:

Anyway Hun I hope you are either resting up or getting some monitoring. :hug: