Single Severe Contraction-like Pain
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
This is my second pregnancy. Last night around 5:30 I had this wicked pain. It was such a bad pain that I was over my chair swaying back and forth waiting for husband to walk in the door and bring me to the hospital. It felt like a contraction but it lasted way to long for it to be a contraction. I thought contractions only last 1-7 minutes, but I guess I can be wrong.
I'm 30 weeks pregnant. could this have just been one LONG contraction? Does this mean I can go into labor at any time? I have been have what I think are Braxton Hicks but now with a pain like that yesterday I'm starting to second guess myself. Please help me. There is no bleeding. I'm still a little crampy but baby has been moving.
Should I get myself to my OB/GYN or just wait it out and see what happens from here?
ANSWER
If you are not bleeding, your baby is moving and it was a one-time thing, chances are all is well.
When something like that is going on, if you are able it is a good time to call your provider just so they know. I don't know your history, so maybe there would be a good reason for you to come in, but just from what you say, I wouldn't worry too much.
-- Cynthia, CNM
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
