This is labor! Right?
So you think this is it? It’s really happing! Baby will be here soon. Or maybe not? How can you be sure that it is really happening? I mean your body has been so different these past 9 months and its hard to tell what is what these days. You have had your share of warm-up labor commonly called Braxton Hicks but this feels different. Usually the warm-up labor last a few minutes and at most 20 minutes, but then goes away. It can’t last hours can it? Actually it can. Warm up labor can last a few minutes, but sometimes can last a few hours. As a doula, I am often called at least once, if not a few times by my client for these warm up contractions. A few years ago I decided to make my clients a cheat sheet so they can easily tell the difference. The false alarm phone calls have almost completely stopped. Here is my cheat sheet.
Real labor vs. Labor Warm up
Real Labor
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Birth Show
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Membranes Release
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Tightening or pulling sensation
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Constipated or diarrhea
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Momma Instincts
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Pattern of contractions
What do you do?
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Walk
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Shower
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Drink Water
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Rest
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Sleep
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Bake
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Clean
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Anything you can do to be calm and distracted till it picks up
Warm up Labor
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Erratic contractions with no real pattern
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No other signs of Labor
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Disappear with change of activity
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Can be caused by dehydration or too much activity
What do you do?
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Take a shower
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Rest
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Drink Water
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Eat
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Sleep
If they stop with these activities it is labor warm up.
