How do I know if I’m in labor?

You’ll definitely know. I thought the same thing how would I know… but you’ll know. Either your water will break and then you’ll obviously know. Or these period like cramps will continuously happen every like 10 or so min or closer together. What you’re feeling now is probably Braxton hicks. But when they are actual contractions they will get more intense and eventually get closer together.

With my first we went out to eat and I felt suddenly nauseous and couldn’t eat. Then I felt cramping that was consistent but not horrible. I went to the hospital and I wasn’t dilated enough the nurse said, “come back when the cramps get more intense. You’ll understand the difference between real labor cramps and these.” About 8 hours labor the pain got so intense going over speed bumps felt like hell. From what I know everyone is different but I’d say labor will likely come soon after your water breaks or when your stomach begins to tightened and get hard and your cramps gradually intensify.
My water never broke until the docs did it.

Also, this time I was convinced I was in labor several times and that I’d have him early. I had an emergency c section at 1.5 weeks late.

I too had super intense pelvic pain where it felt like his head was down between my bones. I also had 1 million other labor like symptoms. I think we all really want the baby to come early haha

the way i knew i was in labor was i got cramps that would get stronger and die down after a couple of seconds and i also had a strong urge to poop.

When I had early labor the “menstral cramps were strong and 12 min apart. But religiously around 12 min apart.

When I had braxton hicks they were frequent but no timing patterns.

When it was real labor, it was religious, and the time frame shrinking- it wasnt the strength of contractions. It was the timing.

The labor felt like cramping period cramps tightening and getting worse.