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Expert: - 1/16/2009


Question
I will be 8 months this saturday (1/17/09). I have been having frequent braxton hicks contractions all through out the day, daily. I was told that this is a sign that labor is around the corner, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks away when braxton hicks contractions become more frequent and stronger. Is this true? Also I have been having pain in my pelvis and vagina that make me feel like my childs hand is just going to reach out at any moment. These pains come when she does a lot of moving in the lower part of my stomach where she is head down. When I feel her moving down there it causes a lot of intense pain. What does this mean?

Answer
Brittany,

This all means you're getting closer to labor, but there is still no telling when that will be.  It could still be weeks away.  These are just signs that your body is stretching and preparing for labor.


Nothing you've mentioned sounds out of the ordinary or cause for concern at this point.


Braxton-Hicks contractions are another sign that your body is preparing, but again, you can have them all day, every day and still be overdue before labor begins.


You might find this article helpful on assessing false labor vs. true labor: http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/prodromal-labor.html



Best,
Catherine

Childbirth

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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