If you felt like you were in reaaaaallllly early labour for ages

[RedCrab]

As in no contractions or waters breaking, but lots of other stuff going on, what were your symptoms? I'm 37+3 with DC3 - DC1 was induced at 42 weeks with absolutely nothing going on prior, and DC2 was a spontaneous five hour labour at 38 weeks with no prior signs - so the way I'm feeling now is completely new! Been having lots of Braxton Hicks in the last few weeks but these symptoms have kicked in, in a big way, in the last few days.

Lots of pressure in my bum and feeling like I need a poo all the time, but nothing forthcoming.
Lots of period pains - and in my lower back as well.
These pains extending to my upper thighs.
General feeling of being really off, and wake frequently expecting to be in labour.
Morning sickness has returned.

Please tell me all this is going to amount to something and I'll be amazingly dilated by the time it actually starts!

[Afreshstartplease]

I was in early labour for a week with one of mine

And still 12 hours full labour

It was my worst of all 4 TBH

Sorry

[RedCrab]

Oh no! I shall massively lower my expectations of just getting it over and done with then. Bah. Hate this. Just want it over with!

[Afreshstartplease]

Try and rest as much as you can in preparation !

[RedCrab]

Not likely with a two and four year old 😬

[Afreshstartplease]

Ah I feel your pain [flowers

Cab you atleast get a decent nights sleep each night?

[NowtAbout]

Try acupuncture, can bring on labour and speed things up.
Also get walking. Mine started like this but I had good quick labours. (6 hours)

[RedCrab]

Thank you. Sorry I'm so moany. DH was on duty last night with the still-not-sleeping-through toddler and I had a king size bed all to myself, but just kept waking with pains. Meh. Poor me

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I felt like that from 35 weeks with dc4. Started actually contracting at 37 weeks then had 9 days of continuous contractions. My hind water went followed 2 days later by my fore waters going. At this point the consultant decided my labour had stalled due to baby being back to back & started me on the drip (a midwife that I'd seen 3 times over the course of the 9 days had tried to tell them this on day 3). Baby was out less than an hour after that. Sorry I don't have a more cheerful story, it can't have been that terrible I'm now expecting dc5.

[RedCrab]

Nowt might give acupuncture a try! Even if it doesn't do anything, it's still lovely and relaxing. I'm out with the children in the park three or four hours a day so walking lots. Though what brought on DC2's labour was a three mile uphill walk so maybe I should just recreate that!

Bernard that sounds horrendously torturous - poor you! Hope DC5 goes a lot better.

[Jooni]

I was contracting strongly for four days with DD before I reached the magical 4cm

No idea what the issue was but was told it could have been her position. My waters never broke so that could also have been it.

Weirdly once I got to 4cm and finally got admitted it all happened quite fast and she arrived a few hours later. So possibly the long early labour helped to loosen everything up?

Either way, best of luck OP. I'm sure with those signs things will start happening for you soon

[TorchesTorches]

I had contractions for 3 days before i 'properly' went into labour (ie the magical 4cms) , and was then 16 hours in labour. I was knackered before labour even started!! Sorry

[Pitchforktotheface]

I kept having the odd mild contraction, different to brackston hicks, and I was sooo grumpy, had lower back ache, pain on walking, couldn't sleep I was soooo miserable for a week. Then I had 21 hours of labour!

[Cwtchythings]

With both of mine I had grumbling pains for a day or two, then my waters went and had easy 4 hours and 2 hours of active labour respectively. So in my case at least the grumbling was causing dilation! Hoping I get similar again very soon, am 39 weeks with number 3...

[streetch]

I was exactly like that for weeks with dc2, it was miserable! I had 2 sweeps and was 3cm at both and then labour was only 2 hours so it must have been doing something. I hope yours is similar