This last month is going to be agonizing for me… I am paranoid that I will go into labor early and be caught totally off guard and be completely unprepared.
I have read about the differences between Braxton Hicks and normal labor but in the middle of the night when you wake up and feel something—hell, anything—you think the worst. Just the other night I had pretty bad heartburn (even having taken a Zantac) and then woke up in the middle of the night sweating and thinking I was 2 seconds from throwing up…and started thinking that just HAD TO BE a sign of labor that I forgot about. 😳
I have been reassured by many that I will, indeed, known when the labor is real…and I am sure I will. But in the meantime, this waiting is killing me. Not that I want it to happen sooner rather than later (I still am waiting for the burst of nesting energy I need)…but the suspense is killer.
Yes, you will know when you’re in labor. I know where you’re at because the last think you want to do is deliver a baby in the pasta aisle at Meijer, but trust me – you will know. And yes, you may have some “false alarms”. Don’t panic – it will be okay. Also, not every woman’s water breaks when they’re going into labor. Yours might or it might not. Again, don’t panic if it doesn’t; it’s okay. If you have any concerns, call your OB and talk to the nurse or the Dr. on call (if it’s after hours). Call them every half hour if you want to (that’s what they’re paid to do!). They are used to it and will talk you through it. Hang in there! You’re doing great!!!