Early labour - I'm not sure

[toolonglurking]

I'm 40+1 with my first, had a midwife appointment this morning and she said I'm mostly engaged now, so she did an examination and a sweep, I lost my plug earlier this week.
This evening I've had Braxton Hicks but unlike before they are quite painful now. Twice in the last hour, they've not been agony, but enough to make me catch my breath.
I've also got back pain, which I'm told is a good sign that things are happening.
I feel silly not knowing, everyone just keeps telling me 'oh you'll know when your in labour' but can anyone with experience give me a clue - could this be kick off!?

[PennyHasNoSurname]

It could.....but it could just be your body getting into the groove.

Id have a bath and a few paracetamol and head to bed tbh. If the warm water and painkillers dont take the pain away enough for you to sleep then that is a good labour sign!

[ohidoliketobe]

Hello!
Ok first up in my experience I wouldn't say braxston hicks are painful, enough to make you wince in a bit of discomfort and catch your breath but certainly not painful, so of that's how you're describing them then possibly could be the start of something!

My early contractions felt like very bad period pains if that's anything for you to go by?

See how you go over the next few hours, do try to get some sleep or at least rest beat you can as regardless of this being "it" or not, could happen anytime so always best to be as rested as possible!

Do you have contraction app on your phone ready to start timing duration and time between for when it does kick off?

Good luck & I hope all goes well!

[toolonglurking]

Thank you for your replies - I'm going to head to bed, but I've just downloaded a contraction timing app - just in case!
If this is it, I'm really excited and nervous, eek!

[ohidoliketobe]

How are you? Any news?

[StormTr00per]

Ooh hope it was indeed the real thing OP

[toolonglurking]

It seems it was indeed my body getting ready...my waters broke at 2:30 this morning! I was having pretty regular contractions until about half an hour ago when they tailed off, but I'm watching movies and staying chilled hoping they'll come back soon!
Thank you for the advice here, it's so lovely to get support at such an extraordinary time!

[BettyBi0]

Good luck!

[toolonglurking]

Little baby boy has now safely arrived. I ended up being sent from our local community hospital to the city 3 hours away and being induced, but the whole thing was handled beautifully and I'm now totally in love with my wee man.
Thank you for your support on this little thread, it meant so much.

[hawaiibaby]

Ahh congratulations!

[MadeinBelfast]

Congratulations, glad you got great care.

[Nobodyspecialanymore]

Congratulations! That's wonderful! Photos?

[Miffy1979]

Yay, congratulations

[ispymincepie]

Congratulations but can I ask why your midwife did a sweep at 40weeks?! Clearly your baby wasn't actually ready if you needed inducing. I don't think I was offered sweeps until well overdue, is this common now?