someone please tell me how to tell the difference

[mom2ariana]

okay i do NOT want to go to l&d again unless it is for REAL labor. please tell me how to tell the difference..
as some of yall know i had contractions awhile back that landed me in the hospital overnight. okay so they really didn't hurt that bad, and they started out about every 7 minutes...they didn't get more intense and as far as i could tell they didn't get more frequent..(but the monitor picked them up at every 3-4) anywhoooo. i get bouts of them every now and again. and they always start out close together...like 5 minutes apart but they're never that painful.
now i'm having them again...and they really hurt. and they're every 6 minutes pretty regularly. doctor said to call if my water breaks or they're 3-5 minutes apart...UM so how do i know when its real labor or not? last time my cervix wasn't changing and the baby wasn't engaged.
im starting to think i'll just stay at home no matter what until my water breaks haha. jk but seriously someone please help me out here.

[mom2ariana]

well mine pain tolerance is very high BUT i think its going to be painful for all women no matter what..i think we'll all agree on that lol so like you said i'm sure i'll know!! the only reason really i was concerned is because my contractions always start out around 5 minutes apart so i was hoping that they were considerably more painful than the false labor i've had, but i suppose its silly to think that they wouldn't be.
OH but i hope my water breaks i bet that was so nice to not even have to wonder whether or not you should go!! sounds like you were one of the fortunate ones! maybe it'll happen to me!

[JoyRenee]

LOL! It stinks to hear, "Ohhhh... you'll KNOW" but it is true. You will feel different and you'll be in pain. Though some people have different levels of pain tolerance. Mine happens to be on the low side. But I got through it and had my last daughter naturally (no epidural).

I felt the same way- I'm NEVER going to go into labor. My last baby was 3 days late. I laid down to take a nap before we were going to go run errands and do some last minute details when BAM! My water broke. It took all the guesswork out of when to go in. But before that happened I had no contractions (real ones anyway) and thought I'd never have that baby! She's 6 months old now.

[mom2ariana]

okay thanks!! i'll keep this in mind :) i know im not in real/active labor right now...i was just worried i wouldn't be able to tell when i was!! but from what yall are telling me i'm sure there will be quite a difference!!
joy: i feel like that will NEVER happen..lol. im not even full term yet but i already feel like im gonna be surprised when i actually go into labor haha.

[JoyRenee]

With real contractions you will have trouble concentrating, talking and moving through them. They will require your full attention to breathe, they will be painful, they will be consistent. It is actually best to labor at a home a little bit before going in. When your contractions are 4 minutes apart for 60 seconds for at LEAST one hour then you're supposed to call and see what they'll have you do.

But if you suspect you're in labor don't rush off to the hospital. You're most likely only 3-5cm during early labor and sometimes if you're not in active labor they'll send you home anyway.  

[LosingMyMindInGA]

If it's real labor then you are going to notice that the contractions themselves become more intense and they come closer together.  You may or may not have your water break...many times it doens't break until you are already at the hospital.  If you feel like you are possibly leaking fluid I would advise going in.  If you start to notice bloody show along with the contractions I would go in.  If you start getting diarrhea and or nauseaus it would be a good idea to get checked.  Trust your body and your instincts if you "feel" something isn't right or that it's time..go in.  I understand not wanting to run to L & D everytime you contract but  you also don't want to be giving birth on the side of the road in the back seat or on your bathroom floor.