having period pain - how long after did your labour start?

[Daysleeper1985]

Hi all, I'm having 2nd baby and currently at 36+6.

Been having strong BH for a couple of weeks (at least 10 a day) - now each night I've also been having episodes of crampy period pain. For those who also experienced this around 37 weeks - how long after did you go into labour? Have I got weeks of period pain ahead yet or should I finish packing my bag? I had none of this with my first and was Induced so I've no experience of a natural labour.

Any insight gratefully received! 😊

[tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit]

I went to bed with period-style pain at just over 40 weeks, and woke in the morning with the same pain which quickly turned into contractions. I called DP home from work about 10:30am, was in a delivery room by 11-something and had DD that afternoon.

I didn't get BH at all, or any other cramps leading up to that.

If I was you I'd pack my bag just in case!

Good luck

[tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit]

I was induced with my first and not for my second btw. It was much easier the second time.

[Katarzyna79]

ive had period type pains with all my kids. usually within an hour or more period pains get stronger until they turn into full blown contractions, may last for few hours ( all night for me) until unbearable. I had all of my kids at 38 weeks.

I can't guarantee if yours will occur the same way but if you were my friend id say make sure you're packed, if it does seem to get stronger into light contractions have quick shower bath you'll be ready for hospital if you're not having home birth that is ;)

Wish you the best hope it goes as planned!

[Daysleeper1985]

Thank you tangerines, I know I've left my bag a bit late, typical 2nd pregnancy where I've been a bit too laid back perhaps!! I just don't want to be here in 4 weeks time having the same period cramps every night.

Good to hear from you that it was easier second time. I've just finished reading the thread about drip vs natural contractions, sooo reassuring as I knew that it had to be less painful, or at least natural. I thought I was being cut in half with syntocin! Really looking forward to a natural birth.

[Daysleeper1985]

Thanks Katarzyna, they've died off again so probably nothing immediate happening

Definitely need that bag packed tomorrow!

No home birth (chickened out), but I'm booked in for the birth pool and have just finished our hypnobirthing course

[FastWindow]

I would agree with second time round being easier and also quicker. Emphasis on the quicker ... Pack that bag woman! My first was 57 hours with two inductions. My second ... 3 hours 45. From first full contraction (and you bloody know one when you have one). Good luck!!! Xx

[NewLife4Me]

I had period type pain and gave birth within 2 hours.

The second time 90 mins and the third 30 mins. No real pain at all.

Sorry, not very helpful, apart from to say we're all different.

[tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit]

"I thought I was being cut in half with syntocin!"

I can relate to that

Natural birth wasn't like that at all. It hurt, sure, but it was bearable compared to the evil drip, a totally different story.

It was much quicker second time too.

I mistakenly pushed really hard though, in my natural birth, as I thought that's what I had to do, because that's what the MW told me to do in my lengthy labour while being induced the first time. Turns out I didn't have to, I could have just let my body push and gone with the flow a bit more. I made my insides swollen from pushing so hard which probably slowed things down a bit (even though it was a much quicker labour overall). A second MW came in to see why I wasn't progressing as fast as they'd expected, and asked if that's what I was doing and told me to just let it happen, that was really near the end though. I then did have to push right at the end.

If I was doing that second labour again, I'd maybe say to the MW that I was induced the first time so not to assume I knew what I was doing!

[Stylingwax]

I've had regular period pains every evening for 2 weeks. 39 + 3. Have them again now. Irritating....

[Junosmum]

One week and one day, if it is in fact my waters that have just gone!

[Daysleeper1985]

Thanks all so much, very interesting reading! Seem I have anywhere between a day and 2+ weeks left ey! I'm refusing inductions so hopefully this will save me arguing my case in a months time! She'll come when she's ready..babies just don't seem to care that the mummy is SO DESPERATE FOR IT TO BE OVER!!!! good luck junosmum x

[Stylingwax]

Good luck junosmum

[NickyEds]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings op but I was getting strong, frequent-ish BH for nearly a month before dd (my second baby)was born. For about two weeks i was getting them every 20 minutes during the night. I had one whilst being examined by the registrar and she was considering keeping me in to "see if anything happened".....Alas dd was born at 40+4 by which time I was officially the Grumpiest. Person.Ever!.....but i had a quick, easy 5 hour labour with no tears and a super easy recovery and the mw said that a lot of the work was done in those last weeks!

[thehomesecretary]

I'm currently 39 weeks with Dc3 and have been having crampy period type pains and irregular contractions every day since 36 weeks. So sick of it all now and wondering how much longer it will go on for!
I had similar when I was pregnant with Dc2 but only the last 2 weeks before she was born. Once I actually got into labour though, it was fairly fast and I ended up having lovely water birth with no tearing and an easy recovery. Hoping for the same this time and trying to be positive about all these annoying cramps- maybe they are helping to prepare for a quick and easy labour.

[Boosiehs]

I feel exactly like the OP. I am so freaking fed up of being pregnant.

If I were myself once more when coughing I am going to march to the hospital and demand the baby is extracted there and then. :(

37 weeks tomorrow

[Daysleeper1985]

Gosh Nicky and home Secretary, you both sound just like my friend today! I never believed her of course, but she was saying it's actually a blessing to have so many BH, random period pain as it will probably make labour quicker/easier. I hope I can emulate your births. I'm booked in for a pool birth and have done hypno stuff this time round - fingers crossed. I think I could survive to 40w without becoming homicidal, but anything over that will take a lot of patience I just don't have anymore!

Boosiehs, I'm 37 weeks today. Feels like 39 ey, can't believe it could be anywhere between 0-5 weeks left!!!!

[NickyEds]

I wanted a water birth too but I actually had dd on a trolley bed thing in the empty induction suite where the cow mw had plonked me "to see if anything happens"! They wouldn't have it that I was in labour!

You really do have my sympathies. It's bloody awful being so pregnant. I was due in the middle of July during a mini heat wave and spent my days sat, bump out in front of a fan with a wet cloth on my head whilst the toddler went feral! To say dp was walking on egg shells is an understatement......but exactly one week after giving birth we all walked into our little town to the Summer show and had a great day because my recovery was so straight forward,

[thehomesecretary]

Good luck OP! Sounds like everything is heading the right way for you to a nice easy birth - you may just have a couple more weeks to get through!!!

[Daysleeper1985]

Thank you home secretary! Been having BH every 5-10 minutes for the last 2 hours 😡 they feel slightly lower than previous ones, like I need a poo (sorry) but not painful as such. I'm so sick of these now!!!! Argh!!

[Samanthasmith1504]

Hi everyone,
Midwife said I had a bit of a show yesterday ( I’m currently 34 weeks & 5 days) before then I’ve been having belly ache every morning & this morning I’ve got up with period like pains above my pelvis and a lot of pressure between my legs.. I’m looking at early labour signs but thinking it’s to soon. Someone help me out ☺️

[sprite25]

This is slightly worrying, I've been having period type pains on and off for about a week now but I'm only 33 weeks, no braxton Hicks or anything though, although I don't remember having those with second baby only the first (this is baby no. 3)

[Samanthasmith1504]

I’ve had this most mornings but still going on now .. apparently this can go in for weeks before labour x

[ShopoholicIn]

I had BH for about two weeks on n off befor my baby finally decided to come after 39 weeks. Second time around the period pain started with very mild discomfort to cramps and from 4cm to full dilation and delivery in 2.5 hours