Are these contractions? (FTM and clueless)

[DeadDoorpost]

41+2 and FTM so literally not sure but I do believe I've finally started having contractions. Currently timing the pains I'm getting and so far since 4am I've had 4, all lasting a minute or longer and times between getting shorter from 13 mins to 10. Waters haven't gone yet, had my show on Friday.
Pain is under bump, can't tell if bump is tightening as used to baby putting pressure on front all the time. Feels like I'm being stabbed slowly by a wide blade. Would much prefer not having a uterus at all right now...

As a general rule I found that if you need to ask yourself "are these contractions” they are usually not”

I was having contractions for about 10 hours before i realised that's what they defo were.

Careful of that breakfast! I think it's going to end up back on the floor in a few hrs😅 Good luck!

Yeah unless you're actually hungry, I wouldn't eat anything. Digestion stops during labour so you'll just throw up

Sounds like the start of it, how exciting! From my experience I would say don’t not rush to get to the hospital... I stupidly did and got sent home 3 times! Contractions were every 3 minutes and labour progressing well and then each time I set foot in the hospital they stopped! I shall be staying at home as long as possible next time.
That being said there are posters here who nearly didn’t make it, but for me it was 45 hours from start to finish so I had plenty of time.
What did the MW say?

www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/pregnancy-and-baby/labour-and-birth/the-start-of-labour. This is a good summary. The advice is to wait until 5 mins between contractions and then contact hospital. Good luck!

To the PP who said they were going to leave it as long as possible next time - don't! Subsequent children can arrive a lot quicker. My midwife told me she almost didn't make it to hospital!

I had a slow labour which felt like incredibly painful period pains. For 4 nights I had them for hours but they never got regular or more frequent and always stopped by the morning. On the day I was submitted to the labour ward, i was having them during the day but still doubted I was in labour. Then I took a bath and then the pains ramped up big style. I was having a contractions every 4/5 mins when I phoned the ward but they said i didnt sound in enough pain . They did let me come to get assessed as i hadnt felt baby move much that day. By the time I got assessed i was 5cm dilated. Good luck and hopefully it won't be long now x

"When true labour starts, you’ll also know. That isn’t a pain you can mistake for any other."

I'm another one who disagrees with things like that! In my experience of several births, my contractions don't really ramp up beyond very manageable until I am well on my way (7cm with my first - the MW was adamant that I was only in early labour , 10 mins before the head appearing with one of my subsequent ones!).

Good luck OP. Sounds like the start of my second birth to a tee!

Waters rarely go before active labour OP. The TV/Movies is a lie.

Mine didn't go until his head was on the way out.

Hoping for a live birth thread!

Also labour pains were exactly the same as period pains for me that came in waves. But I'm not a reliable source beyond that really as I was unknowingly having a severe gallstone attack at the same time so no idea what the true pain level was as I was experiencing probably a triple level

Lovely, good luck. They were different in all of mine, severe back ache with #1 (back to back baby), tightenings with #2 and very low down period pain with #3.

Baby arrived. Currently unable to type much due to terrible signal in hospital. Was all a blur and a bit of a shock to everyone tbh. Will post full post tomorrow but have a photo...

How beautiful Congratulations to you and your family.

Gorgeous ♡
Congratulations

Oh what a sweetheart! Look at that little nose!! Well done you

What a beauty. Congratulations

Awww. Congratulations!

Brilliant!

He's gorgeous

Cpngratulations! He's adorable. Well done you.

Aw squishy new baby💕💕💕Congratulations!

Aaahhhh congratulations!!!

Eeep! Squish! Lovely little nose

Oh how delicious! Congratulations wishing all the best in these intense early days

Gorgeous congrats op 🎉