How do I know it's labour?

[DancingLady]

I'm 40 weeks tomorrow, been having stop/start mild period pains waking me for the last few nights but then I nod off again. Shooting pains in vagina too, am assuming that's baby getting nice and engaged... Tonight have lower back pain and sort of period-y cramps, coming and going but not massively regular. And a feeling of real pressure in my bum and generally low down... Nothing unbearable, don't want to take paracetamol in case it stops!

Really hoping this is the start of something!

Taking the paracetamol won't stop it happening but it might take the edge off so you can sleep a bit before they get worse (if this is the start of labour and not just BH's and positioning pains).

Very exciting all the same

Thanks - decided rest would be needed if it IS labour! Took 2 paracetamol at about 2am and slept till 5, woken by (probably?) contractions. Coming every 3-6 mins, lasting about 30 secs, but really not unbearable! Feel like BH but with back pain and more pressure low down... timing them for a bit and then will call hosp. Don't want to go in too early - hospital is a £25 cab ride away and I don't want to spend £100 going back and forth several times!

How are you doing? x

Sounds exciting! Why not call the hospital for a chat about it, you don't have to wait until you want to go in to call, then if you have contractions while you're on the phone they can get some idea of how strong they are and advise you. Good luck!

Wah. Slowed down after I called the hospital birth centre at about 6am! I ate some cereal, got back into bed, told dp to go to work as it might be some time... Going for a walk and will potter about, hopefully things will start up again.

I have a 40wk app with my MW later anyway, so if nothing by then at least she might examine me and tell me if it was all in my mind!

I'm the same and mighty fed up.

I am 40+3 with DC3 and have had constant strong BH's for the last week, some painful, some not (been having BH's from around 16 weeks), accompanied by period type back pain, I have immense pressure in my bum and vagina, I am emptying my bowels around 4 times a day and I feel incredibly nauseous but still no baby!!!!

I am notoriously crap at telling if I am in full blown labour or not though - with DC2 I called delivery for advice as I was experiencing very regular BH's but no pain, they told me to come in for assessment and I was 6 cm's dilated and gave birth within 2 hours.

My pelvis feels like its going to explode (combination of SPD and baby headbutting pelvic brim), but I keep telling myself I must keep upright and active.

Hope it all happens for us soon. I just want to cry at the moment

WillowM2B - hope it happens for you very soon! So do you think you might be in labour and not know it? Mine's all stopping and starting - back still hurts, periody cramps, but as I'm not in agony I don't want to go to hospital! Seeing MW in an hour - hope she can examine me and tell me if anything's happening one way or another.

Good luck, hope number 3 comes soon!

I suppose its possible to be in labour and not know it - I certainly was pretty clueless with DC2 (spontaneous labour)

DC1 was different as I was in hospital being induced - it was the midwives who didnt believe I was in labour. (Turned out to be a very quick (induced) birth - went from not dilated to 10 cm in 1 hour then 2nd stage was 20 mins)

I have had all sorts of cramping, pain and niggles with this one since around 37 weeks - I never had any of it with my previous pregnancies so its all a bit new and odd!

Hope it went ok with the midwife - mine offered to do a sweep today but I declined - am now wondering if I should have had it done! She will do one on Tuesday before booking an induction date...seems like forever...

Ah well, I'm assuming this baby will be born at some point - surely can't stay pregnant forever???!!!

My midwife said it sounded like the latent stage of labour. Still getting contractions but mild and I can talk during them. Going to try to stay at home for as long as poss. I won't be offered a sweep till 41 wks (next Friday) and hopefully it won't come to that!