I was surfing the internet on Saturday night since I couldn't sleep due to those "kind of" contractions and back aches that seem to start happening in the last month of pregnancy. I happened upon a first time mom who is documenting her pregnancy on a Parents Magazine blog. She was a bit disappointed when she these early all night practice sessions hadn't produced much in the way of dilation or thinning of her cervix. She wondered "Is this labor? Will I know when REAL labor hits?". Since this is my 5th baby, I thought I'd share my experience. With each child I have had these "pre-labor" sessions that I was sure were building up to the real deal, but would either stop, be really inconsistent in timing of contractions or never really stop me from doing an activity. I was sure that when I went into the doctor there would be "progress"; afterall, I couldn't get comfortable  enough to sleep and I really wanted that uncomfortable experience to be doing something. With my first two kids, I would get checked and the provider would say 75-80% efaced, 1-2cm dilated (at best). Tihs happened even the afternoon appointment the day before I delivered. With Tommy I had a  3 hour labor total (this caught me completely off guard since all my Bradley classes said expect 10-14 hours for your first) and less than 5 hours with Annie. The OB explained that these were "practice sessions"; my body and my baby figuring out how to work together. This concept helps to a degree (the discomfort isn't for nothing). With my third and fourth children I decided that I didn't want to know "how far I was". I don't mind the provider checking for her own info, but don't  tell me. The "progress" game is mental torture to me! Both labors were quick and intense as the prior two had been. Not knowing the exact numbers allows me to relax about the process a bit. I can tell you that even as I approach giving birth to #5, I wonder "Is this REAL labor?", then I remember there comes a point that it is unmistakable! My advice, consider it practice until you have to stop what you're doing. In the midst of those uncomfortable practice sessions find an activity to keep your mind busy, take a bath, etc. Above all, remember, your body and baby have to figure out to communicate with each other...I always hope they are both fast learners =)

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