39 Weeks Pregnant: Cramps, Contractions & High Blood Pressure - Seeking Advice

Question
I'm 39 weeks and 2 days with my first baby, I had a doctor appointment yesterday and was at 3 cm and 50% effaced. I also had very high blood pressure which runs in my family during pregnancy. My mom was worried because they didnt make me stay at the hospital when with both her pregnancies they made her stay and be induced. When I arived home I had a lot of bleeding, not bright red blood but kind of orange but the nurse said it was normal. I've been having cramps non-stop since yesterday morning after my appointment and this morning had some red spotting but that seemed to stop but the cramping is still constant and the baby isnt moving, and two days ago he was active. Am I having real contractions or is this painful cramping normal this late in pregnancy? Should I go into the hospital, or what do you recomend?

Answer
How often are you having contractions? For the first baby, you are considered to be in labor when you are having contractions at the level of your belly button (not in your back or down low) which occur every 3 mintues (from the start of one contraction to the start of the next contraction) and each contraction remains hard for a full minute. If this continues for a full hour, you should be checked. If you are more than 4cm dilated, you will be admitted to the hospital. What was your blood pressure when they checked you? If it was over 150/100, you should be kept at the hospital. If it is less than 130/96 you can remain at home (unless you have protein in your urine and abnormal liver function tests). There is no reason to be induced until you reach your due date and do not go into labor on your own.  If your doctor diagnoses you with preeclampsia, you will either be induced or have a cesarean section. Good Luck.