False Labor

I just wanted to post a note here, since I know some people heard the baby was on the way.....it turned out to be a trial run for us.  Which means real labor can be anything from hours to weeks away.  With four previous pregnancies, I've never had false labor before.  It was always clear when the contractions were just braxton-hicks contractions.  This is the first time I've had them go on for so long without leading to labor.   And apparently my labors aren't so typical because 1. I've never had my water break 2. my contractions have never been completely regular, even near delivery 3. I've never had discharge before labor, and only with Jacob did I have "the bloody show" before labor (which I suspect had to do with the method of starting labor-blue cohash and membrane stripping.)  So although these are typical signs of false labor, they aren't a normal predictor for me.
Add to that the fact that there is more pressure this time around to leave earlier so there's time to get to the hospital and without a family car we need someone to not only watch the kids, but to come get them as well.  Plus a new doctor and hospital because the midwives are no longer doing hospital birth (and we can't afford a homebirth)......so there are a lot of new factors to contend with this time around. 

False Labor
False labor or prelabor is often called the first stage of labor. It's when the cervix begins to thin out, shorten, and soften. False labor causes contractions that feel like the uterus is knotting up, known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are often irregular and do not get closer together consistently. They may stop when the woman rests and usually do not get stronger. False labor can feel just like true labor to a woman.

What is going on in the body?
No one knows exactly what causes labor to start, but changes in hormones play a role. Labor begins when the cervix begins to open. The uterus, which is a muscle, contracts at regular intervals. When it contracts, the abdomen becomes hard. Between contractions, the uterus relaxes and the abdomen becomes soft. False labor can precede real labor by a very short time or by a full month or more.
Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of false labor include:
•contractions that are not regular and do not increase in frequency or severity
•pain in the lower abdomen
•contractions that go away when the woman walks or rests
•fetal movements that intensify briefly with contractions
•vaginal discharge, if any, that is a brownish color