Brownish vs. Pinkish Blood in Labor: What Do They Mean?

Question
I've read that a brownish blood is false labor and pinkish is real labor. Does that mean that if you start with false labor that real labor is soon to come? Im 35 weeks and started having contractions and had to have them stopped because they said it was too early. I just wanted to know if real labor is soon to come.

Also I was wondering what the alternative is to an epidural?  

Answer
Sometimes, near term, you will get a "bloody show". This can be pinkish staining, brownish staining, or even bright red blood (in minimum amounts) coming from the cervix (which is starting to shorten). Usually, if this is your first baby, you will not go into labor until 40 weeks or later. If you started to have contractions at 35 weeks, that was too early and they were correct to stop the contractions. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration may put you into labor. When you start to have contractions at the level of your belly button, that come every 3 minutes (from the start of one contraction until the start of the next contraction) and each contraction stays hard for at least 45 seconds to 1 minute, and this continues for a full hour, then you are considered to be in labor and should go to the hospital or call your doctor. Real labor has nothing to do with the color of the blood.