The Braxton Hicks contractions do not have a pattern and they usually go away if you change your activity or drink water. These contractions have a pattern and do not go away if you change your activity. They may even get worse if you try to walk. If you are in true labor, contractions will begin somewhere between the 38 th -42 nd week of pregnancy, but usually somewhere around the 40 th . A good way to tell if you will deliver around the 40 th week is to study your past menstrual cycles.
Some women lose their mucus plugs and then their labor begins.
Others, may have their water break after losing their mucus plug and then labor begins. Then you will have those women whose labor just begins without any previous signs. This is the time to get to the hospital. Remember if you live far away from your hospital tell your doctor. They may want you to come when your contractions are around 10 or 15 minutes apart.