Pregnancy Scares That Are Perfectly Normal

Prodromal labor, also referred to as false labor, is any time that your body mimics labor, but does not end with a baby. This happens to virtually every soon-to-be mother at some point in her pregnancy, typically in the third trimester. Prodromal labor actually shows that your body is preparing for labor but can sometimes be mistaken for the real thing. This is often referred to as a pregnancy scare. Here are few pregnancy scares that are actually quite normal.

Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks are contractions that are not as painful as regular contractions and seem to be random. They are pretty much impossible to time and are usually more than ten minutes apart. Braxton Hicks contractions don’t typically get closer together, unlike real contractions. Often times Braxton Hicks contractions are only felt on your belly or sides. Real contractions can usually be timed like clockwork, get closer together, and begin on your backside and feel like they are wrapping around you until they reach your belly button.

Real contractions get more intense as they progress. If you feel like you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, drink a lot of water, change positions, and try to go to sleep. Braxton Hicks will not typically wake you from sleep, whereas real contractions definitely will. If you are not sure if your contractions are real or not, call your doctor.

Did My Water Break?

So, you fell asleep and woke up in a puddle of liquid, but you are only 35 weeks pregnant. It is possible that your water broke, and you should definitely be seen by your doctor as soon as possible to rule out your water breaking. More than likely, your baby kicked your bladder while you were sleeping, and you peed yourself. Embarrassing, but it happens to more moms than are willing to admit. When your water breaks there will be a very distinct smell that resembles ammonia and is usually very strong. Peeing yourself in late pregnancy is completely normal.

Mucus Plug

There is a myth that when the mucus plug (sticky ball of mucus that grows throughout pregnancy around the cervix) falls out that you will go into labor within 24 hours. This is not true. The mucus plug falls out, usually in the third trimester, because the cervix begins to open, and the mucus is no longer secure. Many people start dilating weeks before delivery, so the mucus plug falling out is normal. Pregnancy scares such as this is not an indication that you are in labor. There may be a little blood with the mucus plug, which is completely normal. However, if the mucus plug is green or foul smelling, you will want to call your doctor because that usually means there is an infection present.

Morning Sickness in The Third Trimester

Many people that have not been pregnant before, believe that morning sickness is a thing of the past after the first trimester. Unfortunately, this is not typically the case. Many people have morning sickness all the way throughout their pregnancy. Some people stop having morning sickness in their second trimester just for it to come back tenfold in the third trimester. During the third trimester, your body is growing rapidly, and you typically eat a lot more, which can cause morning sickness to get worse. Pregnancy scares such as morning sickness in the third trimester does not usually indicate a problem.