Painless regular contractions

[Sophieelizabeth]

I am 39 weeks +3 with my first. Last night at 3am I had regular contractions (every 5-10 mins) for about 3 hours until I went to back to sleep (I was shattered)
My stomach was going rock hard and tightening then relaxing, I timed it for 2 hrs before ringing the birth center I'm due to give birth at. The midwife said it sounds like the start of things kicking off but I'm not to actually come in until they start to get painful (which never happened!)
I've woken up this morning to period like pains and back ache however I have had this on and off in the last few weeks, contractions seem to have stopped although I'm getting twinges. I'm gutted I was so excited thinking baby could be with us today!
Has anyone else had this or going through this? What was your experience? I'm hoping I can kick start the contractions again today fingers crossed!

[Goodnightsweetheart1]

Hello, I had this with all 3 of mine. And when the time came it all happened very very quickly. My longest birth was 4 hours my quickest birth was 1.20 hours. So it was a mad rush each time. And incredibly painful as you really do get chucked in the deep end. Your body is just preparing itself for labour very slowly. Your probably slowly dilating without pain (bonus!!) And baby will be along within the next week I guess. With my third I had slightly painful contractions every night for 3 weeks. I went into see my midwife as I was exhausted and she did an exam and I was 5cm and in labour! She was born 3 hours later.

It's all worth it. Your baby is coming, it may take another week but it sounds to me like your body is doing a lot of the work now!

I am no expert though!

[Goodnightsweetheart1]

P.s I think the midwife doing an exam really got me going. Could you have a stretch and sweep?

Also I remember being gutted constantly because I wasn't in real labour. It's the only time in your life your be upset because your not in severe amounts of pain!

[Jpiggle]

That sounds like braxton hicks to me, if they were painless. All good signs that your body is gearing up for the big day though! I had exactly what you describe for the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy. The period type cramps gradually got more painful and then turned into painful contractions. Once they were real contractions everything happened pretty quickly. Good luck!

[Sophieelizabeth]

Wow I hope my labour is that quick haha!
I've been thinking about a sweep the last few days, I see my midwife on Thursday so if there's no sign of baby yet I'll be requesting that. Just fed up now and want to meet my little girl!

[Sophieelizabeth]

Hi JPiggle,
Yeah I thought BH too but I thought it was strange how regular they were, I knew when my stomach was going to contract a couple of seconds before it did. Was strange!

Contractions have started up again, a little painful like twinges but not regular. Hopefully today is the day 😬

[Goodnightsweetheart1]

Trust me you don't want it that quick. It's fucking terrifying having a babies head coming out your vagina on the M5.

[Goodnightsweetheart1]

Just read that back and it sounded narky! It was supposed to sound tongue in cheek!