Cramps or contractions?

I've been getting these cramps that feel like period cramps for a couple of weeks. But this afternoon they are pretty strong (have to stop what I'm doing & breathe through them) - but my stomach doesn't seem to tighten, I just get this pain.

How can I tell the difference between cramps & contractions? Can you always feel a tightening?

they might be contractions!! you should have the tightenings too ...
i was talking and walking up to 5cm and dd was born 2 hours later so maybe worth talkin to your mw?
have a ctg?

If there is anything that you are worried or concerned about give the hospital a call. The tightenings will feel like your stomach is going to burst, and then they relax, until the next one. If the pains are coming and going, then time them. If it is a constant pain, I would talk to the hospital to see what they think. GL, I hope all goes well for you.

Ezz
If you are still geting the pain then I would suggest that you are probably geing contractions. Proiding that you are not too far away from the hospital it is ok to stayhome until the contractions are about 5 - 20 mins apart. But give them a ring and let them know.
Good luck hun

Thanks Alan. Yeah - still getting them, about 10 mins apart (we only live 10 mins from hospital). Might give them a call.

Ezz
You will be fine to stay a home until the contractions get 5 mins apart if you feel comfortable. But if things get a litle scary for you go when you want to.

:dance: Ezz is having a baby :dance:

Gave hospital a call to let them know. Still don't want to get my hopes up - but it's definitely looking promising :D

Go Ezz, go Ezz!!! Hope it all happens soon!

Ezz do you have someone who can post your news on BB when you give birth?

Yeah, I've got Buzzie's mobile no. so I can SMS her (so long as she doesn't go into labour tonight too :lol:)

Ezz
I just sent you a PM

Ezz - how exciting, hopefully another Dec bub by morning

Yup sounds good. Contractions get longer, stronger and closer together. They don't stop or slow down.

Hey guys, not to steal Ezz's thunder, but babies usually go pretty quiet prior to labour right?

Hi mrsr
Yes often but not allways

Thanks!

Good luck Ezz.....how exciting. Will be keeping alook out for your birth anouncement.

YAY Ezz... how exciting!!!!!

Oh yey, how exciting for you. I hope you have the best labor, all the best hun.

I'm so tired :( But when I lie down, contractions seem to slow down - they are much more regular/frequent when I'm moving around. I'm concerned if I go have a big rest that they will stop altogether!

Oh Ezz!! You poor thing! I can't blame you for not wanting things to slow down. Have you tried squatting to push bub down a bit further into your pelvis... this really got things going for me with Emily.

Good luck and i hope it isn't too much longer :hug:
xx

Ezz if you can rest then you should. You have quite a bit of hard work ahead of you. Your contractions may slow or even stop, they sometimes do. But I am sure that they will start up again soon after you have had a rest

Definately agree with Alan here. But I know how you feel. With DD labor, my waters broke at 11pm and I didn't want to go to sleep incase things stopped. But please believe me, if you think you can sleep, do so. Like Alan said, you have a big event up ahead of you. It's exciting, but full on. So all the rest you can get now, is needed. Oh, so exciting, I hope you have a great birth.

Thanks guys - I think I might go try to sleep. Here's hoping that labour starts back up again (trying to avoid the induction I have booked for Monday)

Good Luck Ezz!!!!

Even if you only get an hour or 2 it will help

Ooh Good luck Ezz, sleep tight (if possible)

Had almost 4 hours sleep which was excellent. Contractions continued every 40 mins or so, but I'm pretty awake now & they are coming every 15 mins (wasn't worth trying to sleep anymore :lol:)

Thanks everyone for your well-wishes! Things seem to be chugging along.

Hi Ezz
I am glad that you managed to get some sleep.
It sounds like you dont have too much longer to wait to meet your little man

Still awake Alan? Goodness, what's your excuse? :)

Contractions getting closer together - have got DH up to keep me company.

one of the drugs I have to take for 5 days after the chemo causes insomnia

That must be frustrating! (on the up side, it is nice having you around for these mid-night labours :D)

How long should my contractions be 5 mins apart for before I call the hospital? They were 9 mins apart for quite a while, now they are more consistently 6 mins apart.

They can be 5 mins apart for a few hours, or they could be 5 mins apart for less than an hour. without me being able to see you it is hard for me to say.
How painful are they now and how long are they lasting

They are going over a minute & I'm finding them pretty painful - but I don't know if I'm just a wimp! Just breathing through them - can't concentrate on talking.

If I remember you said that you were only 10 mins from the hospital in that case you still have time, You can stay at home while you feel ok.
But if your waters break or if you are no longer happy at home then go to the hospital

Yeah - we are only 10 mins away (and it should be even quicker this time of night!). I'll stay put for a while. Thanks Alan :)

no probs hun. I will still be here for a while if you have any more questions

Oh good luck Ezz, you have done a great job, being able to stay at home this long, Well Done

Ezz just sent me a TXT she is on her way to the hospital.