I'm 35 weeks pregnant by ultra sound 36 weeks by last period.. I've went into early labor twice already. Im dialted 2 cm and 70 percent effaced. For the last week I've been having pelvic pressure, abdominal cramps that shoot to my back, and off and on contractions. Is this false labour again or is the real thing about to happen?

Mother of 5 here - not a health care professional, but I have useful info on the subject.

Unfortunately, there is no GREAT, 100% way of knowing. If you can change your body position, lying on your side or drink water and notice a relatively significant difference in the pains, then you are probably not in labor. Is there any consistency in the timing of the "contrations"? Are they becoming closer? Are they progressively becoming harder? Have you been having these symptom for over an hour? If you can say YES - then you may be.

I had the same doc for all 5 of mine, and he always told me to look for the things above. Obviously if you are leaking fluid or bleeding at all - you should head on in the to ER just to be safe. He ALSO told me that it is not uncommon for moms - especially first timers - to wind up with false labor a few times before the real deal. DO NOT feel silly for going in and getting sent home. You should never take that chance - especially when you are so far along! Basic rule of thumb - when contractions are steady and you cannot get comfortable (7-10 minutes apart for over an hour) you should head on in. I hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!