Are these contractions?

[Inpatientlywaiting]

I'm 41 weeks pregnant, and think I might be in the early stages of labour but I can't be 100% sure.
I rang the maternity line for advice but they didn't say if what I'm experiencing is the start or not, just to call back if I have contractions every 5-10 minutes.
The problem is I'm not sure if the pain I'm feeling are contractions or not, but I'm leaning towards not.

I started noticing vaginal discharge yesterday morning.
I have had relatively loose stools for the last week.
Yesterday evening I started getting back pain but it felt like this was due to the position of baby (she currently feels like she's laying sideways with her back to my belly and her feet constantly pushing into my lower back, it's felt like this for the last 7ish hours).
I managed to drift off for half an hour and woke up to intense pain in my right side, in my lower rib cage which lasted about 10 minutes and made me feel nauseous (sorry if spelled incorrectly) after going to the toilet the pain in my side eased.
For the last hour I've still got the pain in my tummy/back even though baby has moved slightly so more head down than sideways.
I'm now

Sorry posted too soon.
I'm now in the bath trying to help with the pain.

So the pain is constant not coming and going in waves which makes me think not contractions, but does this sound normal for early labour?

I can't see anything in my notes or online about the constant tummy/back pain for hours.

Thanks x

I was induced so no help. But I thought I'd hang out until clever people arrive.

My labour started in my back with needing to go to the toilet for a poo every 10 minutes.

I didn't realise my back pain was actually labour as DS was back to back. When they checked I was 3cm and had my waters broken.

Phone them back up and insist they check for you. The least they can do is give you some pain relief so you can at least manage some sleep x

Not sure, op. Hope you're getting some help. Mine was quite classic - started with a couple of twinges, ramped up from there - but I understand that not every labour is like that.

I woke with constant pain down one side of my bump (40+5) and DD1 was born the next day.
It was 13 years ago, but I think I had light bleeding too and when I rang they wanted me to go in for monitoring.

At 41 weeks it's very likely the start. Good luck!

Hi! It turns out they were/are contractions 😊
I had my 41 week midwife appointment at 11am today and the midwife confirmed I'm 2cm dilated and my mucus plug has gone.
Just waiting for things to ramp up now, pottering about the house.
I should nap but I've got lots of nervous/excited energy so that's not happening.
Thank you for you help x

@Inpatientlywaiting this is exciting for you! Glad you saw a MW today and know now that things are starting. Please try and get some rest though while you can .... I suspect that you'll be up all night!!!

I'm in the constant back pain camp at the moment and waiting waiting waiting for things to get going in...

Yay!

Let us know...