It can be so difficult to recognize if you’re in pre-term labor, simply because those symptoms are similar to most feelings you’d have during a normal, healthy pregnancy. Even medical professionals can overlook the early signs indicating pregnancy complications.
So what’s a first-time mom to do if you suspect pre-labor symptoms?
Trust your gut, or in this case, your swollen, pregnant belly. Make sure your concerns are heard. Don’t be afraid to bring up any unusual feelings to your doctor if you believe you may be in pre-term labor. Braxton Hicks contractions can mimic “real” contractions; it doesn’t hurt to call your doctor to find out if what you are feeling is normal or pregnancy complications.
Is What I’m Feeling Normal, or Pre-term Labor?
Are they contractions? Braxton Hicks are an irregular tightening of your belly that can feel like you’re having lower back pain or menstrual cramps. Sometimes they can really be painful, but the amount of pain or discomfort can vary between women. You’ll know if you’re having Braxton Hicks if you can stop the pain by lying down on your left side for awhile, or by drinking several glasses of water.
Real contractions, which result in cervical change, become increasingly regular and frequent. They can’t be stopped by relaxing or drinking water. The only way to truly find out if you’re in true labor is if your doctor performs a cervical check to see if your cervix has begun to soften and dilate. This is great if you’re past the 37-week mark of your pregnancy, but if you’re still weeks away, you may be in pre-term labor.
If you’ve left a message for your doctor, take some time to monitor the frequency and duration of your pains. Note if there have been any changes since you’ve been lying down and relaxing. Your doctor will want to know this to be able to rule out any pregnancy complications.
Is this round ligament pain? Ask any pregnant woman, and they’ll tell you horror stories about suffering from round ligament pain. While pregnancy brings with it those wonderful feelings of aches and pains all over, round ligament pain is unique. The pains can come on suddenly and may sometimes feel like pre-term labor. The pain can be felt mostly along your bikini lines, and causes sharp pains from your groin to your hips.
I’m bleeding! Some women do experience bleeding during pregnancy, but it is not considered normal. It is often a warning sign of a bigger problem. Call your doctor’s office if you experience any bleeding. Sometimes women do experience a little bleeding following an exam or sexual intercourse, but it’s still a good idea to talk to your doctor. If your doctor is unavailable because it is a weekend or weeknight, call your local labor and delivery department or go straight to your hospital emergency room.
Why am I leaking fluid? Many pregnant women mistake leaking urine from amniotic fluid, a sign that your water has broken. While a urine smell is easy to detect, amniotic fluid isn’t as obvious. It could smell sweet or it may smell like nothing at all. Your doctor can perform a quick and simple test in the office to see if you are leaking amniotic fluid.
I have a thick discharge. If you’re experiencing a lot of vaginal discharge, often white, thin or milky in color, this is normal during pregnancy. You may have a yeast infection if you’re feeling itchy, inflamed or have a burning sensation and should call your doctor’s office. If your discharge looks and feels like egg whites and you’re not yet to 37 weeks, this could be a pre-labor sign and you should discuss this with your doctor. If you notice a huge glob of mucus, sometimes tinged with blood, or several smaller globs, you have likely lost your mucus plug as your body prepares itself for labor and delivery.
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