Is this it? Anyone advise me as to whether I am in labour and what I should be doing? Help!

[Thingiebob]

I've had a lot of minor shows and stop start pains in the last two weeks so am worried I have become complacent.

40 + 2 with second child. I felt good today compared to other days, not very uncomfy and more energy. I made a big spag Bol for dinner and during it developed a killer backache. Since then I have had sharp pains in cervix area, minor show and lots of BH. I went to sleep about 11-ish then woke up at 1. 30 am to the strangest feeling as though I had been booted in the vagina area. since then I have had waves of quite sharp intense pain radiating from cervix area up and around my back. Lasting about 40 secs, approx nine mins apart.

Are these contractions? They feel nothing like last time although I was induced and the pain was all in my back. They are not how I envisaged at all.

What do I do? I am 45 mins away from hospital, need to wake up family and drop dd off at Grans house. When do I go in? Scared about waking everyone up for a false alarm.

Shitting myself as this will be a Vbac.

[Fairydogmother]

Hi there I'm sorry I'm no help as I'm only pregnant with my first! Just didn't want to leave you stranded if everyone else is asleep!

Can you call your maternity unit and ask for advice?

[Madamecastafiore]

Hi Thingiebob, don't be shitting yourself, this is exciting, what you've been waiting for!

With DS who was my second I didn't think I was in labour as wasn't having bump tightening contractions, they were more like pains up my noonie, sort of like I needed to physically hold it. Probably doesn't make sense but needed to put hands between legs to hold there like when you hold something that is paining you. I was deffo in labour too.

There is no harm in waking people up if you are concerned, your dp wouldn't want you up worrying on your own. Good luck.

[Tiredtrout]

Hi, it's sounding a bit positive, do the pains keep going when you change position? Maybe a plan if they do to give them a call and start waking people up

[AgentFelix]

It's been a long time since I was in labour but I don't remember any vaginal or cervical pain. It was all in my back, like you with no. 1.

I would do as Fairy suggested and call the labour/maternity ward for advice. I understand why you don't want to get everyone going if it's not the real deal, but seeing as you're 45 minutes from the hospital, I'd urge you to err on the side of caution.

Best of luck xxx

[Thingiebob]

Have called them. They've told me to wait at home until pains are five mins apart, also warned me that they might tail off. Thank you all.

[Fairydogmother]

Good luck!

[Tiredtrout]

How you doing thingie? In the kindest most supportive way, I hope it's still sore

[Thingiebob]

Well the pains carried on until about five then I must have fallen asleep as woke up about twenty mins ago!

I've had one pain since. Can/does this happen? Stop start type thing? My back is also killing me!

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

Yeah, the start stop is normal. When they start up again you may find that they are closer together.

[cluelessnchaos]

Sounds like baby has got into a good position and things are about to kick off. Hopefully soon.

[Thingiebob]

Oh I hope so as I feel am just messing everyone around! DH has to decide if he is going back to work tmrw and my child care is going to get annoyed with false alarms.

[toffeelolly]

Mine started and stopped , blamed the hot bath for that, about 6 hour's later the pain's started up again really strong and dd was born a few hour's later. So you may find when you start and stop it could happen very quick. Good luck.

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

thingie you are not messing anyone around. Your childcare will understand that false alarms happen and shouldn't be annoyed with you.

[Thingiebob]

Ok thanks everyone! Because I didn't labour naturally for my first, I feel like a right novice!