To think this is pre term labour??

[Februaryblooms]

I'm 33+3, I've lost a small amount of mucus plug throughout the day, the last time I checked there was a small dot of red blood on the tissue when I wiped (sorry tmi)

I've also got a period like pain which has come on this evening and is constant, it eased off when I was in the bath but has come back worse when I got out. It's round my back and the front. (Previous two labours were back to back) I'm having a few sharp twinges down below as I type this but nothing that takes my breath away.
Baby is moving.

I've already birthed two babies and remember feeling like this during the onset of labour with both (38 weekers so full term) but feeling these things this early on is alien to me.

I'm packing a bag and am going to call the hospital for advice, has anybody had this happen early on and it not be labour?

If DD came now would she be ok?

[soupforbrains]

Sorry you've not had any replies. Often when people don't feel qualified they don't answer as they don't want to Cloud the issue.

Firstly your child will probably be fine if they come now. Mine was delivered at 32 weeks and was absolutely fine.

The chances are that you are not in actual labour, but as always it would be best to contact your midwife to be on the safe side or if you are so concerned that you won't sleep go to The hospital and get advice there.

Generally speaking there is no need to panic babies survive these days when delivered from around 24 weeks. But it is always best to get proper medical advice just in case.

Best of luck please do let us know how you get on.

[CanuckBC]

It could be labour, or false labour. It is best to go the hospital and get checked either way. For your peace of mind.

[BitOfAKerfuffle]

Its best to go and get checked i went into labour with my 2nd at 28 weeks and like you didnt quite know if it was or not went and got monitored was regularly contracting on the monitor and 3cm dilated with a very short soft cervix they managed to stop the labour even tho they werent convinced it would actually work and we did have issues bleeding fluid loss contractions etc but made it to 36 weeks ! The consultants always said lets make it our aim to get to 32 weeks because the risks for baby are a lot less at that stage so dont panic about baby just get a bag packed and go and get checked. Hope all is ok

[Knittinglikemad]

Hi @Februaryblooms you would be best contacting the hospital & going in for a check up. If it is labour they might give you a steroid injection just to help little ones lungs ( friend recently had a 33+4). Hope you get on ok?

[JellyBaby666]

Definitely go in and get checked over, noone will think you’re being daft and it’s worth being sure it’s not early labour. Big hugs, hope it’s a false alarm! X

[PickAChew]

Not had this happen, but the bloody discharge is good enough reason to get checked out. If you're wrong, it's all a bit of a Pita for everyone, but if it is preterm labour, you've taken the right steps to ensure the best possible outcome.

[ADHMeeee]

I had all that happen, and a bloody great upset stomach too, and she was born during the night. So I would be on my way into gynae right now, at your gestation.

[HerRoyalNotness]

Go to the hospital. If it is or isn’t they could give you a steroid injection to help mature the baby’s lungs. Best place to be. We can’t give you any reassurance.

[Mmmhmmm]

I think depending on the circumstances they can give you something to prevent her from coming too early. A steroid I believe.

I just know when I was being induced they loaded up about 8 or 10 women with something to make them stay pregnant longer. Except the woman who had reduced blood flow to her baby, she had to have an emergency section at 26 weeks.

[Februaryblooms]

Thanks for the replies ladies. I'm calling the hospital now, I'm ready to go in if needs be. I didn't know whether I was being dramatic as I've read that some people lose their plug weeks ahead of labour, and others have strong Braxton hicks right the way through also. My mum's on her way to look after DS and DP is going to leave work when I ask him to.

33 weeks seems so early I hope it's all a big fuss over nothing

[Desmondo2016]

I'm glad you're going in to be checked. Keep us posted.

[alwaysncxx]

Good luck OP please update us when you know more.

Hope you and baby are okay!

[slapmyarseandcallmemary]

Lots of luck.

[soupforbrains]

@Februaryblooms the key thing is not to panic. Even if this is labour chances are you and baby will both be fine. But appropriate medical support is key. The doctors/midwives will be able to tell you exactly what is happening.

As I said I gave birth at 32 weeks but even then my plug had come away a week before. Stay calm. It will do your baby the best service. Do let us know.

[SleepWarrior]

Obviously hopefully it isn't labour, but 33 weeks isn't horrifically early so please don't feel panicked. All the best

[aurynne]

Hi februaryblooms, midwife here. If this is not your first baby and you think "this feels like labour" I would recommend you to trust your feeling. It is not common to lose your plug so early in pregnancy. I strongly recommend you to go to hospital right now, because prem labours are often quicker than term ones. Once there they should monitor your baby's heart rate and the contrations, do a speculum examination of your cervix which will tell them whether it is dilating. They may also do a test called "fetal fibronectin" which will give an indication whether or not you're in true labour. They will also likely take some blood and urine samples to do more tests (i.e. a urinary tract infection sometimes can cause premature labour). If they suspect labour, they may give you an uterine relaxant to try to stop contractions and steroids to aid your baby's lung maturity. In any case, and even if it ends up being a false alarm, going to the hospital is a good idea.

If your baby is born at 33 weeks with no other complicating issues he/she will be fine, however they will need some weeks at the premature baby unit, so get ready emotionally for not being able to take your baby home straight away. At 33 weeks the baby may need some help with oxygen and breathing, as their lungs are not fully mature.

Fingers crossed and good luck!

[soupforbrains]

@aurynne hurrah.

I am very glad a medical professional has arrived to give support.

Also in a semi-related thing I had no idea that prem labours are usually faster but that absolutely fits with my own 32 week labour wherein there was only 15 mines between my arrival at hospital and arrival or my perfect healthy and adorable DS (albeit a bit small)

[alwaysncxx]

Brilliant that @aurynne is a midwife and can provide some medical insight, so helpful 

@aurynne I'm pregnant and feel like I could ask you so many questions!

[brizzlemint]

Good luck op.

[ImNotChangingMyUsernameAgain]

Definitely get checked. At 33 weeks you need a dose of steroids to help your LO's lungs and they ideally need to be given at least 24 hours before you give birth. It sounds like things are starting slowly so you will hopefully have time. If the hospital don't mention steroids definitely ask as it is standard practice before 34 weeks.

I'm a mum of an 8 year old 33 weeker who is absolutely fine.

[Tryingtoholdittogether]

Get checked but if it helps I'm on baby number 4 and had this at the same time with all pregnancies. It was Braxton hicks. I didn't go into labour until after 38 weeks with all and first sit was my waters breaking. I'm the same gestation as you. Have awful Braxton hicks every evening. Now started vomiting again and diarrheah so wandering If this baby will come early. But the Braxton hicks finish at 2ish am and start again at about 6pm next night. Let us know how you are. X

[Queenie8]

Go and get checked over. Good luck 🤞🏻

[Februaryblooms]

Hi all, false alarm thank goodness.

The pains are Braxton hicks so im told but more importantly my cervix is completely closed. No sign of baby making a super early entrance but I've been told to take it easy (all of this came about after I spent the day scrubbing the whole flat and then having intercourse with DP)

DD is very active and not in distress so I can relax now.

Thanks very much for the replies.

[Soubriquet]

Oh what good news

No more nookie for you OP

And relax!!

[Fantababy]

Glad all ok OP. Impressed with the nookie. I'm 37 weeks and my DH isn't getting anywhere near me!