Is this the start of labour???

[EmilyRose21]

Hi ladies, first time mummy-to-be here and need advice please! I'm 39+2.

For the last couple of days ive been getting really sharp twinges and a pressure feeling down really low (feels almost in my knickers). They come and go at random times and are only twinges so don't last long, kind of like really quick painful tightenings. Ive also had a constant backache at the lower part of my back and also had looser bowels (sorry for tmi) and general tummy cramps and feeling uncomfortable.
Am I in the early stages of labour? Im so confused as too what these are and mean and what I should look out for!

Any advice, answers, experiences would be appreciated :D xxxx

[VeryLittleGravitasIndeed]

That's what my early contractions felt like, but you can be in on/off pre-labour for aaaaages (6 days for me, weeks for some) so just keep on as normal for as long as you can unless your waters go. Established labour is impossible to ignore, so you'll know once that happens.

Exciting
You'll be sniffing your lovely newborn's head soon!

[EmilyRose21]

Thankyou so much for the reply! Okay then ill just carry on as normal until the next stage! I hope its not too long! :D
Very exciting!
Xx

[ohthegoats]

OP, I'm in the same situation. It's spurred me on to get hospital bag and final 'bits' bought today, even though I was bent double a few times in Mothercare!! I'm hoping I get a couple of days grace post work (only finished yesterday), to sort some bits of the house out, but after that I'd like it to get a move on.

[JustMarriedBecca]

Same here. Symptoms for just over a week. To say I am well and truly irritated with this Baby and everyone else for making me wait is an understatement. I'm not late (39+5) but I've never been late for anything in my life and I'm starting to realise this baby might take after its father who has a shocking lack of timekeeping skill.

Had a curry last night and now the only difference is that I now reak of curry fart as well as leaking from places I didn't even know it was possible to leak from. Hurumph.

I've also eaten the treats from my hospital bag (and their replacements) five times now.

goes to sulk in corner

[EmilyRose21]

Thanks for the replies! JustMarriedBecca your reply cheered me up not only because it was really funny but also because its great to know im not the only one who feels completly fed up with this babys waiting game and the really attractive (NOT) symptoms, as if achey boobs, discharge and sweatyness isn't enough ive got all these sharp twinges and pains that aren't actually getting this baby out of me!

All worth it in the end though!

[ohthegoats]

I was just looking through some photos and getting really excited about having the non pregnant 'me' back... I know it'll be a different version of me, with different aches and twinges, but I'm longing to be less of a permanently grumpy bore who feels like she's wearing someone elses clothes, and walking like a weeble.

[EmilyRose21]

Haha I hear ya sister! Id like to have my old nipples back that dont look like little brown space invaders are taking over my boobs!

[ohthegoats]

Me too. For the first 34 weeks of my pregnancy, we didn't have a mirror in our house that showed below my neck - we were staying with PIL at around 13 weeks and I saw my nipples for the first time. Ho.Ly.Crap. I actually did a squawk loud enough to be heard downstairs.

I'm going to get my boyfriend to take a photo of me in the bath - with bubbles covering everything other than my ridiculous nips and bump. Not for public consumption obviously, but I need to remember how fricking awful the nipple thing is just in case I ever get broody again.

[EmilyRose21]

Haha no mirrors - why didn't I think of that! Thats a good idea with the bath, at the moment all I do is sit in the bath! My awkward child has decided not to let me sleep past 5am anymore so I am straight up and into the bath to atempt the soreness from a night of kicks and movements that actually feel like mike tyson is in my body practising boxing moves!! Have any of you ladies found that your bumps have 'dropped'? Mine hasn't much and im worried it means shes not going to come for a while yet :/
She needs to hurry up!

[OliviaRinHerts]

Hi ladies

I have a five week old... He arrived two weeks early and normally your first is late

Despite attending classes And reading books, on the day he was born I peed myself - or At least I thought that I had lost control of my bladder which had been gradually happening over the course of what was a Normal pregnancy. I also Had some cramps. I phoned the hospital and they said I wasn't in active labour and to take paracetamol and have a bath as this process could take a week! An hour later the pain was worse and I made my way to the hospital. I called them and they said not to come in as I would be sent home!

However When I got there I wAs five cm dilated and it was my waters that had broken - not pee! I was really shocked - despite all the prep!

Long story short ds was born that evening

I would always say that If in doubt as to whether you are in labour call the hospital or make your way there Better safe than sorry!
Good luck everyone

[Fissawissa]

I've been having what I eloquently call 'fanny daggers' all evening. Baaicay a sharp stabbing pain in my nether regions.

[ohthegoats]

Mine hasn't really dropped. It's not very big though really, so not sure how noticeable it would be. My heartburn has gone in the last fortnight though, and the bladder/low down pain is much worse, so even if I can't see a drop, something must have changed. Less pain in general tonight though, so think I've had a stay of events kicking off, which I'm relieved about - I want a small bit of relaxing mat leave, even 3 days would be alright. Better than the 3 hours I thought I was going to get as of this time last night.

No mirrors means you can't see disastrous state of minge either, so double blessing.