Think I'm in labour....then that I'm not...AIBU? Am I going mad?

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I feel like I'm going mad..first pregnancy - currently 36+3 with twins. Booked for ELCS on Friday.
I've been having tightenings and period style cramps very very on and off since Thursday night. It started as every 30 minutes or so - quite intense but short and then nothing at all. Took paracetamol which helped. I called the maternity dept early hours of Thursday to ask for advice they said to keep on top of pain relief but they didn't sound that regular so fine to stay at home. Then had nothing for a few hours. Was due blood tests and monitoring at hospital on Friday - when they hooked me up to the CTG it detected some tightenings - quite big peaks but not very regular. They said that it could just be intense Braxton Hicks or could be very early labour - call back if any change. Saturday was fine with not much really - maybe once an hour or two until the evening when it started up again. 4.30 woke up with a really painful cramp and then had then every 20 minutes or so for a couple of hours. Called maternity again at about 6am - they said sounds like contractions but wait til they're every 10-15 mins and keep on top of paractemol, warm bath etc. Then the tightenings were fine for a good hour and a bit and now I have more.

WTH is going on? Am I in labour? Is it normal for it to be so stop start or is this my body practising?

I know twins can come early and I've had complications recently (cholestasis). I'm having a section they said they don't want me to leave it as long as they would for someone having a natural birth so 10-15 mins frequency is best. Babies are moving loads - big rolls and bump is moving around.

This is perfectly normally and one of the reasons women go into Labour already exhausted as this latent phase can last days/ weeks. Babies are moving well, waters are intact and there is a big gap between contractions so I would just get some breakfast and rest where possible. For non twin and early pregnancy they would bring you in around 3 contractions in 10 mins so one every 10-15 mins is on the side of caution.
If anything changes re waters, blood loss, babies moving or they increase I would phone them straight away.
I know it sucks but this is your body getting ready and the start stop is normal- good luck
Ps I am trained in this

This happened to me with DD1. I had these tightenings for a few days before she came. I really knew when proper labour started though, the contractions were different.... more intense and regular. Try to relax and get some rest. Wishing you well.

I planned a home birth, and got all the gear out for DS2- futon pad, matress cover in the middle of the lounge floor. Contracted regularly all day, but didnt get closer together. Rang the midwives- was briskly assured if they werent getting closer together then it wasnt labour, amd to go to bed.

They were right, it wasnt, and I went the full two weeks over and had to be induced in hospital.

Sounds like early labour which can go on for days unfortunately.
I'm almost 39 weeks with my second and keep feeling like this too.
Try to get some rest, keep hydrated and eat nutritious food.

The rule of thumb for a midwife is if you think it might be Labour it’s normally not, when you phone telling them you are in Labour it’s time to come over while this is pain and exhausting there is no questions when Labour starts.

It sounds like early labour to me too. I found regular baths helped. Relax when you can and just keep an eye on timings. Good luck!

Sounds like latent labour which can last a while (more than a week for me)

Totally normal I'm afraid - I had this for 3 or 4 nights (can't quite remember now!) before DS was born. I know it's frustrating and tiring, but I tried to tell myself that even if it wasn't 'the real thing' it meant my body was gearing up for it.

Thanks for the responses. They've been every 20-30 minutes since this morning and quite intense and I've had to go poo about 3 or 4 times in that time so just waiting it out and trying to keep myself busy with season 4 of the crown!

Don't think I'll make it to my c section date on friday though...

It does sound like they may come sooner rather than later! Just make sure you are prepared to go in. Keeping busy is good!

Hood luck OP. Let us know how it goes. X

Sending solidarity as I am in EXACTLY the same position, awaiting my section on weds and hoping I make it that far! Having some runs of what feel like contractions (and some very strong and uncomfortable!) and then they settle down again and spacing moves further apart. Just want the baby here safe and sound now!! Best of luck for your delivery.

Is there a medical reason for the section?

Only asking as you have to be careful you don’t go fully into labor before you make contact with the labor ward

Any update OP?

I had this with my second, so no it’s not unusual! As long as you keep in touch with medical personnel. Mine came on every other day for two weeks. One word of warning, when baby at last decided she was done practising she came very quickly - 2 hours 45 mins. Listen to your body, if you think it’s intensifying better to start preparations early rather than late. I barely made it to the hospital in time.

Turns out I was in labour - twin babies born on the 17th! Waters broke early that morning and they were born by c section that afternoon.

😍 thanks for the update and congratulations! How are you doing?