experiences of prem labour. how did you know?

[threecurrantbuns]

Been up most of the night. I thought I was experiencing possible spd symptoms. Haven't had it before so unsure.

When I rang midwife this morning. She said it didn't sound so much like sPD and to ring consulting unit just incase it was prem labour.

I gut feeling is it isnt, but thought I would c what others experienced during the lead up.

[Consort]

How many weeks are you? I'd monitor whether you have lost any fluid, if you are having any real contractions and if you feel any pressure on your cervix/unusual lower back pain??

[LeBFG]

I didn't know i was going into labour as i wasn't in too much pain (thought they were BH, no pattern). So, to not look like a fool and rush into hospital with digestive problems, I waited it out at home. VERY silly idea. I only went in when I was pretty sure i had lost my mucous plug 2 days later (then gave birth 3 days after that!).

It maybe something or nothing - but please, just get it checked out, if only for peace of mind.

[threecurrantbuns]

I'm 31+3.

No loss.

But backache, legs are killing me, bh all night some quite painful, achy groin and pressure.

So all could just be late pregnancy niggles. I thought I might have sPD, but midwife said the leg/thigh pain can indicate labour.

Had several number two toilet trips aswell yesterday evening. Usually more towards struggling to go not running to go. And hot flushes, so maybe I have a virus.

The nearby birth centre won't do checks before 37 weeks, and just send you to merest consulting unit which is miles away. So don't fancy that i'm hoping I'll just no he something really kicks off.

Last night I just got up at 2 in the end was so uncomfortable felt better visit or mobile.

[CMOTDibbler]

The first thing I knew was my waters going tbh - no contractions till 8 hours after that.

But if I were you, I'd be going to the hospital to be checked out. Sounds like something might be going on

[Methe]

Even though I knew I was likely to go In to labour (due to earlier pprom) I went in to denial, shut myself in my room and swayed away In the zone. I was most freaked out to be 4cm dilated but it should have been obvious. I wasn't in any pain though just had the shits and lots of pressure.

If you're concerned it's worth going in. The mw won't mind even if it is just normal pregnancy stuff. They would much rather you went in that sat at home worrying :)

[Poppet45]

Hope you're okay OP. For me in hindsight what made it clear it was labour at 27 weeks with DD was that the niggles were all in my lower bump unlike BHs which span the whole thing and they got worse if i moved unlike BH which apparently tend to disappear, v little pain at all though compared to my first labour with a term, and huge DS. Fingers crossed for you.

[Bramshott]

I didn't for definite until my waters went (33+4) but looking back, I had been having period type pains, coming and going over the preceeding 2 days, plus a tiny bit of spotting. It's worth going over to the consultant unit if you can, because if it IS premature labour, the steriods they can give you to mature the baby's lungs take a certain number of hours to work. I had them with DD1, but as she was born 2 1/2 hours after my waters went (and only 1 1/2 hours after I had the steriods), they didn't have long enough to work.

[thereonthestair]

I hope you re o. In my case I didn't know until the consultant told me I was 3cm dilatd. Ds was born 2 hours later!

I was however in hospital as I had had a big bleed, which was perhaps a bit of a give away. Go and get yourself checked out. if something is going on then it is by far the safest place to be.

[threecurrantbuns]

Thank you ladies, so far things seem to have been better today than during the night.

Got pressure down below and achy but I think the baby maybe very low and head down, but hopefully staying put.

This is my fourth and I've gone to 39weeks with my others with loads of bh so hopefully it's just my body being a pain.

I've had quick deliveries so I do get paranoid about leaving things too late. Fingers crossed baby stays put for at least 6 more weeks.

[liklestar]

This probably doesnt help but i didnt know i was in labour till i was ready to push, i had the twins at 30+3 weeks and as my other 2 were term i wasnt expecting anything like that, i woke up to find both twins waters had gone and needing to push, twin 1 was born an hour and a half later (hosp is miles away) and twin 2 an hour after her xx