Am I in labour?

[Rhubarb78]

I have had an intense pressure feeling since about 3am (like I need a poo) braxton hicks for the past 2hours varying between 5 and 10 mins in between, getting painful but not majorly so and an increase in pressure feeling during these. I am 38+2 and this is my 3rd but I have never gone into labour on my own before (been induced). What do you reckon?

[Jaquen24]

Worth going in.

I had similiar, only it turned out my 'braxton hicks' were actual early contractions and by the time I realized I could barely move during them!

They should not be regular/painful so I don't want to panic you but you should seriously ring your MW or L'ward.

Good luck!

[Rhubarb78]

Thanks for your quick response. Tbh if i were further along i wouldnt be questioning but i just thought it was a bit early. If i get another painful one i will give them a call

[chickensaladagain]

38+2 isn't early really

Give the labour ward a call

[Rhubarb78]

Ok, rang labour ward and they said to stay at home till they are 4 mins apart for half an hour and last more than 60 secs. Eek, i hope this is it! I have had one 3 min one but the last one was 6

[chickensaladagain]

Have you run the bath?

Easier said than done but try and relax -it really does make things easier

[MortifiedAdams]

Try and get a bit of rest, if this is it then you know how knackering the next few days will be.

[Rhubarb78]

Waiting for mum to come up to look after ds and then will get a nice bath i think. Still not regular so not 100% convinced this is it but something is happening

[Rhubarb78]

Everything has stopped now so think it was a false alarm, back to waiting then!

[syl1985]

there're 3 stages of cervical dilation.

You start with the:
Latent phase: 0-3 centimeters
Active Labor: 4-7 centimeters
Transition: 8-10 centimeters
Complete: 10 centimeters. Delivery of the infant takes place shortly after this stage is reached

The latent phase:
This will feel more like a menstruation kind of pain. Or just some on comfortableness in your belly.
It's possible for labor to stop in this phase. (false start)
But you might have some cm dilation.

[cupcake78]

Sly that description of latent labour sounds like breeze compared to what mine was like.

Rhubarb rest while you can! The beginning of messing about can be exhausting. Both me and my dsis had a few days/nights of very painful contractions before it actually started to regulate. These were just as painful as the first stages of proper labour!