could it be?(PLEASE READ)

Since this afternoon I have had a backache in my lower back. I also have been having intermitent cramping im my lower abdomen. They are like 10-15 minutes apart. Also my teeth are chattering. Could this be it? Any comments would be appreciated

OMG sounds promising!!!
I dont know about the teeth chattering part BUT the cramping coming in regular intervals sounds like the BEGINNING OF LABOR!!!

Have you lost your plug yet??

Signs of labor
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's below:
• What are the signs of labor?

• When should I call my doctor or midwife?

• What should I do early on in labor?

• Can I have contractions and not be in labor?

• Can I tell if labor is about to happen soon?

• See also
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


What are the signs of labor?
Labor is different for every woman, and pinpointing when it begins is not really possible. It's more a process than a single event, when a number of physiological changes in your body work together to help deliver a baby. If you're truly in labor, one or more of the following five things will happen:
• The cervix becomes progressively thinner and softer (also called effacement) and dilated (up to 10 centimeters).

• Contractions occur at regular and increasingly shorter intervals, and become longer and stronger in intensity.

• Persistent lower back pain, especially if it's accompanied by crampy, premenstrual feeling.

• The appearance of bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge). If you pass the mucus plug that blocks the cervix, labor could be imminent--or it could be several days away. Still, it's a sign that things are moving along.

• Breaking of the bag of waters, but only if it's accompanied by contractions.



When should I call my doctor or midwife?
By your third trimester, you and your provider have probably talked about what to do when you're in labor long before you really are. But, if you think the time has come, don't be embarrassed to call your doctor or midwife. They're used to getting calls from women who are uncertain if they're in labor and who need guidance-it's part of their job. And the truth is, your doctor or midwife can tell a lot by the tone and tenor of your voice, so verbal communication helps. Your provider will want to know how close together your contractions are, whether you can talk through a contraction, and any other symptoms you may have.
If your bag of waters break, or if you suspect you're leaking amniotic fluid, call your caregiver. You should also let her know if you suspect a decrease in fetal activity, or if you have any ******l bleeding, unless it's just some bloody show (characterized by a small amount of blood-tinged mucus plug), fever, severe headaches, changes in your vision, or abdominal pain.

What should I do early on in labor?
During early labor, it's very important to drink plenty of fluids. Alternate between walking and resting, or try taking a warm bath or shower to ease any aches and pains. And if you can, try to get some rest to prepare you for the work ahead.

Can I have contractions and not be in labor?
Absolutely. You're in false labor if your cervix doesn't dilate (your doctor or midwife can confirm this during an examination), contractions are erratic and don't feel increasingly intense, and any pain you may feel in your abdomen or back is easily relieved by a warm bath or massage. Try drinking water to manage irregular and unproductive contractions.

One mother we know had strong contractions for three days before she was officially in labor. The contractions, though painful, were completely irregular and unpredictable, coming at five minutes, then seven, then eight, then five, and eventually at eight minutes. When her water finally broke, she cried with relief, hoping she was finally entering real labor. She was.

Can I tell if labor is about to happen soon?
Maybe. Although you're probably blissfully unaware of all that's going on, your body starts preparing for labor up to a month before delivery. By the time true labor begins, some women's cervixes have already started to dilate and thin.

Other signs:

• Lightening when the baby's head begins to drop into position in your pelvis

• An increase in ******l discharge

• The appearance of bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge

Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's below:
• What are the signs of labor?

• When should I call my doctor or midwife?

• What should I do early on in labor?

• Can I have contractions and not be in labor?

• Can I tell if labor is about to happen soon?

• See also
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


What are the signs of labor?
Labor is different for every woman, and pinpointing when it begins is not really possible. It's more a process than a single event, when a number of physiological changes in your body work together to help deliver a baby. If you're truly in labor, one or more of the following five things will happen:
• The cervix becomes progressively thinner and softer (also called effacement) and dilated (up to 10 centimeters).

• Contractions occur at regular and increasingly shorter intervals, and become longer and stronger in intensity.

• Persistent lower back pain, especially if it's accompanied by crampy, premenstrual feeling.

• The appearance of bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge). If you pass the mucus plug that blocks the cervix, labor could be imminent--or it could be several days away. Still, it's a sign that things are moving along.

• Breaking of the bag of waters, but only if it's accompanied by contractions.



When should I call my doctor or midwife?
By your third trimester, you and your provider have probably talked about what to do when you're in labor long before you really are. But, if you think the time has come, don't be embarrassed to call your doctor or midwife. They're used to getting calls from women who are uncertain if they're in labor and who need guidance-it's part of their job. And the truth is, your doctor or midwife can tell a lot by the tone and tenor of your voice, so verbal communication helps. Your provider will want to know how close together your contractions are, whether you can talk through a contraction, and any other symptoms you may have.
If your bag of waters break, or if you suspect you're leaking amniotic fluid, call your caregiver. You should also let her know if you suspect a decrease in fetal activity, or if you have any ******l bleeding, unless it's just some bloody show (characterized by a small amount of blood-tinged mucus plug), fever, severe headaches, changes in your vision, or abdominal pain.

What should I do early on in labor?
During early labor, it's very important to drink plenty of fluids. Alternate between walking and resting, or try taking a warm bath or shower to ease any aches and pains. And if you can, try to get some rest to prepare you for the work ahead.

Can I have contractions and not be in labor?
Parents Talk


Have an opinion about this? Add your comments to the bottom of this page.



Absolutely. You're in false labor if your cervix doesn't dilate (your doctor or midwife can confirm this during an examination), contractions are erratic and don't feel increasingly intense, and any pain you may feel in your abdomen or back is easily relieved by a warm bath or massage. Try drinking water to manage irregular and unproductive contractions.

One mother we know had strong contractions for three days before she was officially in labor. The contractions, though painful, were completely irregular and unpredictable, coming at five minutes, then seven, then eight, then five, and eventually at eight minutes. When her water finally broke, she cried with relief, hoping she was finally entering real labor. She was.

Can I tell if labor is about to happen soon?
Maybe. Although you're probably blissfully unaware of all that's going on, your body starts preparing for labor up to a month before delivery. By the time true labor begins, some women's cervixes have already started to dilate and thin.

Other signs:

• Lightening when the baby's head begins to drop into position in your pelvis

• An increase in ******l discharge

• The appearance of bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge

False labor
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's below:
• What is false labor?

• What should I do?

• See also
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


What is false labor?
If you're in false labor, you'll be having contractions that may feel real enough to you but are not strong enough to get your labor started the way real contractions would. That is, they don't cause the cervix to start effacement (thinning out) or dilation (opening up). These contractions are called Braxton Hicks. They may feel like real labor if they suddenly become more intense or frequent, but they tend to be irregular and may eventually ease up or stop altogether. They may occur intermittently for days (or even a few weeks) before the onset of true labor.
One mother had strong contractions for 3 days before she was officially in labor. The contractions, though painful, were completely irregular and she would feel them at unpredictable intervals, such as 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, and then back to 8. When her water finally broke, she burst into tears of relief, as she hoped this meant she was finally entering real labor. (She was.)

Some signs of false labor include:

• Contractions that are irregular and don't seem to increase in intensity.

• Pain centered on your lower abdomen and groin rather than pain that radiates across your uterus to your lower back.

• Contractions that subside when you move around or take a walk.



What should I do?
Even if you're finely attuned to the subtleties of labor, you probably won't be able to determine if you're experiencing false labor until it's over or has progressed into true labor. So, if you're not yet at term (37 weeks) and you notice any signs of labor, true or false, you should see your doctor or midwife right away in order to rule out preterm labor.
After 37 weeks, you can sit out signs of false or early labor at home and see what develops. This can be a real drag, interfering with your sleep and making your tired and cranky. Taking warm baths and drinking lots of liquids can sometimes help. You might also be very tense, wondering if true labor will start at any moment. Since this can sometimes happen quickly, particularly if you've had a baby before, you might be constantly wondering if it's time to call the babysitter. Keep a stopwatch nearby to time your contractions — and don't hesitate to call your doctor or midwife to check in (or for a little encouragement) before you get the okay to go to the hospital.

Oh boy , how exciting!

Yayyyyy!! GOOD LUCK, STACEY

Sounds like this could be it!!! Go Stacey!!

Stacey taken from the article, look one of the symptoims you have

• Persistent lower back pain, especially if it's accompanied by crampy, premenstrual feeling.

This is looking good, is your bag packed???

OK now I am offically nervous!!!

STACEY!!!!!



OMG GOOD LUCK!!! GEt this little boy OUTTT!

Come on Damien! Good Luck Momma!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOH EXCITING!!!!


I said that he'd be arriving tomorrow!! Ihope I'm right!!

OMG!!! GOOD LUCK STACEY!! COME OUT DAMIEN

Stacey lots of luck & love to you

yeah!!!!!

do you have a contact person???!!!!

WOW!!!! The time has come!!!!!

Has anyone heard from Stacey this morning??

oh this must have been it!!!!!!

I have chills I am so excited!!!!!!

OMG Stacey, good luck, Mommy!!
See you soon, Damien!