Expert: Lawrence Jay Rappaport <B>M.D.</B> - 10/9/2005
Question I am 40 weeks. 2 days ago I though I was in labour but after spending 7hrs at the hospital they sent me home and said that I was in early labour. My mucus plug came out yesterday and for 3 days I have been having strong contraction. They go for about 3-4 hours get difficult in pain anywhere from 1-3mins. apart and then they stop for about 3hrs. and start right back up. This is my 3rd pregnacy and I have never experienced this. I have a lot of pressure in my bottom and vergina. Its hard to sit stand or walk. Even with this pain I still manage to get in about 2hrs. of walking a day. What is going on. Am I in labour or not. When do I know that I am in labour and need to get to the hospital. I am also having bile movements about every 2hrs. is this normal They are usually hard to pass.
Answer It is sometimes difficult to know when you are in true labor. Usually, when you start to have contractions at the level of your belly button tht come every 6 mintues (from the start of one contraction to the start of the next) and each contraction remains hard for a full minute, you should be checked. Labor is defined as successive dilatation of the cervix. If, when you are checked, your cervix has dilated to greater than 4cm, you will be admitted to the hospital. Until that time, you will continue to have pressure in your vagina and butt, and you will have some "bloody show" meaning that the mucus plug is coming out. Until the contractions are regular, and, IN ADDITION, the cervix is dilating,you are not in labor. If you do not go into labor by 42 weeks, your labor will be stimulated.
