37+5 and IBS type cramps...

[LittleMissSnowShine]

I have IBS but like a lot of pregnant ladies my symptoms have pretty much been gone since I've been pregnant, which has been lovely!

Over the last few days I've been having some very sharp twinges down below which are pretty uncomfortable but haven't gotten more regular or turned into cx. These twinges eased off yesterday afternoon and today they have been replaced with gnawing ache in lower abdomen and lower back. Feels very like IBS flare up, which is something that usually happens when my period is about to arrive.

Wondering (hoping!) if this might be early labour? I haven't had a show or anything yet but feeling really tired and uncomfortable today and not sure whether to take some paracetamol or to get on the gym ball and start bouncing to see if it's possible to get things going!

Anyone any experience with this? Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

[nomorebooze]

I was 37 weeks when i went into labour, it started on new yrs eve with pain like you in tummy and lower back, on new yrs day morning waters went may be starting and may just be pregnancy aches and pains. good luck!!!!!!!

[LittleMissSnowShine]

Thanks nomorebooze - fingers crossed!!

[porcamiseria]

my midwife said this is the womb getting ready to start rock and roll! i guess it will be sooner ragther than later for you

[LittleMissSnowShine]

Well nothing happened last night but when I go up to go to the loo at 3am the cramps came back and they've been coming and going this morning too.

It's Fri 13th today, tho, so would rather wait til tomorrow to have baby lol

[cardamomginger]

Give the labour ward a call. I had something similar earlier this week (also have IBS and am 33+5). Turned out to be nothing and was allowed home after 1 night in hospital. But the things they wanted to rule out were: contractions and early labour (do this very easily with monitoring and a quickly processed vaginal swab), UTIs and vaginal infection. Apparently infection, even very low level, can cause the uterus to become irritated and give you these sorts of pains. In my case everything came up negative, the pains went away as spontaneously as they had started and they concluded that it was a particularly extreme bout of muscle and ligament stretching. Really, do give the labour ward a call. Good luck!

[LittleMissSnowShine]

good point cardamom, hadn't thought of that! Pains are coming and going, not regularly or anything so can't imagine they are real cx about to kick off but they do seem like a bit of a preview anyway!!

37+6 today so could start any time really...