I'm pregnant and i'm having pains that feel like really bad cramps, how do I know if there contractions?

If this is not your first baby, if your baby is probably not due yet, and if you have not "dropped" the reason you're having the cramps is because with each baby that you carry your stomach muscles weaken, and the weight of the baby and it's movements make you cramp. It all depends though on whether or not your baby is due now. When is your due date?

here is some info about the difference between false labor and real labor.call your midwife ASAP and tell her whats going on,or tell someone at the hospital.they should get you to come up there and put you on the machine to see if your in real labor or whats going on. good luck and congrats on your baby to come.

Pre-labor, False Labor and True Labor:

During the last few weeks of pregnancy, the Braxton Hicks contractions become more rhythmic and appear much more frequently. This period is called pre-labor during which time the cervix is gradually stretched and softened in preparation for the birth.

When these contractions begin to be painful in the lower abdomen and arrive often,the term "false labor" is used to describe the phase. You can only tell from the outside that this is not true labor when the contractions are irregular over time and eventually stop. The crucial difference is that the cervix itself does not actually change.

When the contractions are regular, rhythmic and painful or very uncomfortable, the chances are that the true labor stage is being reached. Depending on your country, the doctor will advise that you go to the maternity ward when the contractions last for about a minute and are arriving every ten or fifteen minutes.

When you get to the maternity ward, the first thing they will ask is how much time there is between contractions. They will then check the cervix internally to discover whether or not a change has occurred. If the cervix has started to open, is thinned out and has moved into line with the birth canal, then true labor has been reached and you can start to get prepared for the birth.

Depends on how many months you are first if your like 6 months o about 8 and a half its probaly braxton hicks contractions.just relax take some acetaminophin you'll be alright.If you are 9 months its probably pre-contractions getting your body ready that means that the baby is droping or has dropped and its tine to get you up and walking around. something else that will help is having sex it helped meI had sex two days later I had my baby but it was also on my due date.

Well is you're baby supposed to be due anyday now? That also meaning you have no serious problems that you know about too. Well it might be I heard that that's how contractions feel like. If I were you I would ask someone that's been pregnant before or call your doctor. Also has your water broke?

see if they are regular intervals timings apart eg. 15mins if so then call the midwife for advice, if not they could be braxton hics practice contractions. Good Luck.

I don't know how far along you are, but the best thing to do if you aren't sure is ALWAYS call your Doc. they could be braxton hicks, but it you are past the 28week mark, I would call, just to be sure. No sense in worrying, or delivering on your kitchen floor. Good Luck

How far r u in your pregnancy?

Sometimes contractions are not as painful as we imagine! Wait and see what happen in an hour.

it is not regular yet, so it is not for now, but maybe in a day...

let us know!

ring the hospital but if they are real contractions they usually come regular but some start like you say

goodluck

if they are painful might be contractions

since they are so irregular then it might just be braxton hics call your hospital and get asecond oppinion

ring the midwife as she will talk through it with you xx