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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know if this is labour?

27 replies

PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 21:49

38 weeks pregnant. I feel crampy, hot and sick. Tmi alert but I'm also doing a lot of soft bowel movements. Is this labour, wishful thinking or an illness? What do I do now?
You would think I would know. I already have a 3 year old. But with him my waters broke suddenly and then it was a very quick very obviously painful labour. This has thrown me.

OP posts:
elodie2000 · 13/11/2016 21:52

Phone the maternity unit and ask their opinion. Good luck!!! Flowers

baconandeggies · 13/11/2016 21:53

might be the beginnings, might be a bug! There's nothing you can do til regular contractions begin anyhow. Every birth is different.

baconandeggies · 13/11/2016 21:54

just read your last was very quick - maybe give the team a ring to give them a heads-up / advice.

Rainydayspending · 13/11/2016 21:56

Might be preparation by your body. It could be a stomach bug. Keep hydrated and try to rest.

Areyoufree · 13/11/2016 21:57

I had something similar at 40 weeks. Got uber excited. Developed into norovirus, and the little bugger still had to be induced two weeks later. Bah.

Sorry, that really wasn't helpful! Think I am still a bit resentful...

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 21:58

That's what's thrown me my stomach isn't getting hard/ tight. Just feels like diarrhoea cramps that come and go. Would be just my luck to get an illness now!
Although if it was labour how long until it turns into something real? I'm home alone with DS. Parents a 40 minute drive away. DP working away an hour away. This weekend was the last time he'd be working away until the baby is here to try and avoid this situation!

OP posts:
MissDuke · 13/11/2016 22:03

Tell the parents something may or may not happen overnight and to have the phone nearby, same with dh. Drink plenty and try and sleep. Chances are it is a tummy bug, but no one can say for sure until contractions actually start! If things start and seem to progress very quickly, call an ambulance. It will be ok Flowers

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 22:06

My lovely neighbour has agreed to be emergency childcare if I go into labour with DP away. Don't know whether to warn her something might be happening or whether I'd be daft to bother her with a sickness bug. I don't want to phone DP either- he would insist on coming straight back for what probably is nothing! I'm so paranoid every twinge I work myself up into believing it's the start of something.

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 13/11/2016 22:09

Feeling a bit hot and unwell could be a sign, but it isn't the most obvious one. I think putting your neighbour on standby could wait until you have some regular contractions, or he or she won't rest a wink tonight! You could phone the midwife or assessment unit.

MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:11

YANBU but with a history of quick labour it'd be wise to tell the labour ward / neighbour / whoever that you're not sure if something is going on or not, before bedtime. Even if it's not labour.

One way or the other, time alone will tellFlowers

MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:12

Just how quick was your last birth?

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 22:12

Yes, I will leave neighbour for now. Thank you everyone for talking me down. It's probably a bug- thinking about it DS has been off his food all day. We might both have caught something.

OP posts:
Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 22:15

From waters breaking to DS was 2 hours. Not sure if that's classed as really quick or what. I knew straight away was in labour though- hurt like hell. Will call number on mat notes for some advice- I'm sure they will tell me to try and get some sleep though.

OP posts:
thestylethatdecadesforgot · 13/11/2016 22:19

I had the upset stomach cramps/soft stools thing happen several times in the weeks leading up to labour with DC4. Thought it was starting a few times though I had no contractions to go with it. With all my labours, when the real thing began I had several trips to the toilet (with DCs 2 and 4 this was accompanied by leaking waters) and immediately regular contractions though approx ten mins apart.

MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:20

Yes, for a first labour that is classed as very quick. Most certainly. 24 hours is often quoted as 'average' for a first time IIRC, I'm not sure how true an average that actually is but as a general guideline.

It's not always the case that second labours are faster than first but it is reasonably usual. So, you really maybe should just have a quick chat with the midwives.

AudreyBradshaw · 13/11/2016 22:21

This is an interesting one, I 38+4, I'm all hot and sweaty and have been either asleep or completely unable to settle all day. I think my tummy is going hard/soft but I can't feel my hands so I'm not entirely sure. I'm hoping I'll know when it's labour. Ive assumed its a bug/cold/body preparing for evacuation of child. I've not got time to have a baby till Wednesday really though.

Id definitely ring the ward just to ask if i were you though, hope everything is good op, Flowers

MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:22

Or have I misunderstood? It was No sign > water broke > birth 2 hours later, right? If you were already aware of being in established labour when the waters broke that'd be different.

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 22:26

Yes I had no sign of labour at all before waters broke last time.

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:33

Right then. Phone the ward. You'll need them to know about the speed of your last labour even if this isn't labour now. There's no need to worry mind. Just to be aware that if thing start up you may well be advised to move quickly rather than wait, as would normally be the advice. They'll let you know what's best, I'm sure.

I don't think it's odd to assume this isn't labour, I'm certainly not say it is!

I'm assuming you're wanting want a hospital birth? Is it far? Where I am (non-UK) if one has a history of swift birthing and a reasonable trip to hospital then the midwives prefer to deliver kit for a home birth even when you're planing a hospital delivery. As insurance.

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 22:38

Hospital only 10 minutes away so that's not a worry. Will call now, thank you MrsLettuce for advice. I
I have mentioned to midwife before that DS came quite quickly but she didn't mention anything/ seem concerned.

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:42

10 minutes is fab! handy Grin

Quick labour isn't a cause for concern. Some of us are just made that way. Always best mentioned though, when it's a known factor.

Here's to a good birth and a happy baby, whenever that is BrewCake

MrsLettuce · 13/11/2016 22:45

Do say '2 hours from first sign to birth' rather than '2 hours from waters breaking to birth' though, even though that is (also) what happened. It can easily be misconstrued!

Enkopkaffetak · 13/11/2016 22:45

OP did you have back labour with ds?

When I was in labour with number 4 I had to be convinced to call the MW as I didn't feel I was in enough pain. The other 3 had all been back labours dd3 wasn't so I didn't feel it was hurting enough.

Original poster
PeppaAteMySoul · 13/11/2016 23:35

Midwife said to have a bath/ sleep and call if get regular contractions.
Is definitely a bug though. DS in bed with me as his tummy hurts Sad

OP posts:
baconandeggies · 14/11/2016 00:06

best wishes for getting through the night then OP!