First time mom. Can't tell if I'm having contractions or just Braxton hicks. They feel like really bad menstrual cramps…

sounds like contractions to me, especially if they are lasting that long. time them, when you start feeling one look at the clock & then when you feel another, look at the clock. see how many minutes apart each one is & if they're 4-5 minutes apart for 30 minutes then you can go to the hospital

@savvylynn1 Thank you. Fingers crossed they're real!

I bet they are! especially being 40 weeks! I was induced & still ended up with a c section lol

@savvylynn1 I think they are after the one I just got lol. They seem to be about 10 minutes apart. I was only dilated to a 1 at my last appointment and I wasn't having any contractions so I didn't think she would come on her own. I have an appointment Tuesday to be induced but I was really hoping she'd come out on her own and my doctor is out of town Saturday so if she comes today it's perfect timing!

You'll know when it's the real deal! I would just listen to your body and go to the hospital when you know you have to. The second my contractions were 6 min apart (and unbearable) we left and got to the hospital I was already at every 2 min. Had my baby 3 hours later ( 1 1/2 hours pushing). If I would have waited for my contractions to be consistent we probably would have had the baby in route!

@zapper Thank you! It's definitely not time yet but hopefully they progress. I can still walk and talk through them. They're just uncomfortable enough to keep waking me up!

are you still having them? @harleyann,

@savvylynn1 Yeah they're getting stronger but not closer together

You can always go to the hospital and they'll check to see if you're dilated and all that good stuff 😊

@ayeeray_, is right, if your dilated to a 4 they will keep you cause it's active labor 😊 @harleyann,