Think I'm in pre-labour. How long does this bit last?

[Canilla]

Firstly I'd like to apologise for posting in AIBU for traffic. I'm exhausted and in pain and just need lots of advice/experience to help me understand and manage my expectations.

Since about 11pm last night I have been experiencing period like pains, quite intense, lasting about a minute every 10 or so minutes. A couple have been 3 mins apart, a couple 12/13 etc. Average is about 10.

I'm convinced this is the start of something. The midwife I spoke to wasn't that helpful and just told me when they're 3 minutes apart to come in. I understand this but felt rushed off the phone when I needed calming down and a bit of reassurance.

Does this sound like pre-labour? Could this go on for days? Any experience of this?

I'm 37+6 and due to be induced tomorrow. So nervous and not sure what's going on!

Does sound like it. With my first this went on for 3 days, sorry! With my second it was about 30 minutes before active labour kicked in. It’s really variable. Rest as much as you can, sleep, eat, and if the pain is too much a midwife came out to me at home to give me codeine which allowed to get some rest at least, so maybe ask about that. Won’t be long now OP, good luck! 😀

How long is a piece of string? With DD1 my ‘pre labour’ (which was extremely painful contractions about 5 mins apart) lasted 40 hours! 48 hour labour in total. I was exhausted when it came to actually pushing.
With DD2 pre labour lasted around 12 hours, with a 18 hour labour in total.

That does sound like pre labour. It can go in for days but if you’re being induced anyway that should get you into established labour.

You can have a bath, use hot water bottles and take paracetamol for this bit m.

Ps good luck!

@Cheby 3 days!! Oh man - so they'll probably still induce me tomorrow. That's such a shame. I got so excited that it was happening naturally! Thanks for your response.

Yeah stuff is definitely happening though it could yet take a while. What's the reason for early induction?

It could go on for ages or you could be cuddling your baby by teatime.
I hope you are ok though, it's no picnic. Good luck!

@Frazzled2207 I can't believe it. Honestly just wasn't expecting it as induction is booked and I didn't think about going in to labour in the 2 days between having it booked and needing to go in.

They've determined I have placental insufficiency. High PI through umbilical cord. Growth has significantly tailed. Oligohydramnios. Hence induction tomorrow!

Thanks everyone. I just wasn't convinced it was real and that I could be that lucky to go in to labour naturally before an induction!

Try to think of each bit of discomfort being a step in the right direction. I had 24 hours of this with my last DD and they labour was fairly quick. All of my labours have been very different.
But I would definitely say that in my experience starting labour naturally is better than being induced. So there is something positive.
Try and focus on the fact that you’ll meet your baby soon and be able to have a glass of wine/champagne/special brew.

@SunshineP I was just saying yesterday that whilst I'm no big drinker, it was quite sad not being able to have a cider during the lovely summer we had! Thank you x

Sounds like labour is starting to me. TAke paracetamol, warm baths, walk round a lot. I'm predicting your baby will be born Today! Keep us informed, and good luck xx

I'm 39 weeks and have had symptoms you've described a few times over the last few weeks, usually overnight, and then they've just sort of tailed off. So could be labour or could just be one of those things. When you go in they'll examine you and see if you're dilated. At least with you being due for induction today anyway you know it won't be long until you meet your baby

Best of luck with everything

Really @MinisterforCheekyFuckery ? I've had this now for 10 hours solid. Really hope it's labour starting and not just one of those things...

Excited reading this post. I'm done having babies but still
Sounds like how both my labours started, nagging period like pains that worsened.
First DD was 5 days  DD2 was about three hours.
Relax while you can and look after yourself OP. Good luck

I had pre-labour / failed labour on and of for a month prior to final induction and then a 40 hour labour. Turned out my DD was an LOP presentation so she couldn't full engaged and stimulate full labour.
Was seen by doctors and midwives who felt contractions and said they were real and no BH.
Fortunately you only gave 24 hours to wait.

5 days! Bloody hell they don't warn you about pre labour lol!

Best advice now is to go for a long walk or get bouncing on a ball... Help speed things up a bit. Fingers crossed you won't need the induction

Tell me about it :P

@MrsG841 I just want to sleep 🤪

With my second I was like this, on and off for 12 days. I was knackered. In the end they admitted me, have me pain relief so I could sleep and gave me a sweep. Ds came 36 hours later.

Canilla I was booked for induction on the Sunday when labour started on the Thursday. I was just a little ahead of induction all the way, so I didn’t need the pessary or anything. Ended in an EMCS but for other reasons!

I've had this on and off for weeks....4 weeks in fact
Rest when you can is my advice

I had what you are describing for about 8 hours every night for over TWO WEEKS before I had my first. It was over Christmas too!! When it was finally the real thing I didn't actually believe it, I just waited for it to stop so I could carry on with my day, it didn't obviously. I was completely exhausted before I'd even started. I don't think what I experienced was normal, I think most people only get it a couple of days or even less and then go into labour.

Mine was 32 hours at home before going to hospital. Definitely sounds like pre labour to me!