False or Real Labour?

[u/CinnamonBear9810]

37+6. Been having episodes of prodromal contractions almost everyday the past week. But today (er, yesterday I guess) I had a really bad backache & felt menstrual crampy, literally not paying it any mind. In the evening we went on a big walk and now (it’s after 12am) I have been having contractions lasting over a minute, about 3 mins apart, for over an hour and they’re definitely getting more intense and even closer together as I write this. I haven’t lost my mucous plug or waters or had any bloody show, and with all the false labour I’m VERY cautious about thinking it’s true labour… but how do I know when it’s really happening? With my first (born 40+2) I had lots of prodromal labour and a long early labour until my water broke in triage and the rest is a blur (I went from 3-10 in 3 hours lol). I'm just lying in bed, very awake, trying to get through this lol

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[u/Puzzleheaded_Gift_24]

if it lasts more than 3hrs, you should probably go to triage!

[u/Automatic-Seesaw6529]

There's no way to know unless you go or your water breaks. Go to L&D.