when should i panic???

[Joseyjo]

i am 36w4 and have been having strong bh-like contractions but with extra muscles involved (ie lower back, thigh and hip area - like period pain) irregularly on and off since thursday night. i am slightly concerned as i am not supposed to be labouring at all due to concern about a v early c-section scar from last time. i am not sure when to start panicking!!! any ideas... please....

Message withdrawn

Yes, I'd ring up and say you are concerned and could someone just confirm that all is Ok to put your mind at rest. My hospital was always fabulous and never made me feel silly for checking up on things (went in a couple of times due to lack of movement but all was OK).

Period pain is what my labour felt like right at the start so it's certainly worth checking.

When are you booked for your c-section?

ring the hospital and ask for advice, im guessing you have a c-section booked?, you need to err on the side of caution if you shouldnt be labouring,they might want you to go into hospital to see if you are actually in labour.

thanks everyone.
i rang the hospital this morning (my community midwife said there was no need to panic until i had painful contractions every 10 minutes.... i think she was missing the point about NOT labouring!!) and they said that if the "contractions" get stronger - i.e. this one is stronger than the last - then ring the labour ward even if they are not regular or frequent. she was not very impressed at the idea of us waiting until every 10 minutes as i will have to have a c-section whatever happens and that makes it much more likely to be an emergency and give them no time to plan.
i am actually booked in for a week on Wednesday, but from what both midwives have said, i am unlikely to get there if i already have some activity.
i do feel a bit reassured now, but we will have to wait and see what happens... it seems to be one night on and one night off. thursday and saturday night i was awake pretty much all night having mild contractions every 30 - 60 mins with bh inbetween, but last night and friday night i slept like a babe. so if the pattern continues then i might be ringing the labour ward tonight!!! exciting but a little scarey. i suppose they are more likely to send me home having checked us both out than do anything else.
i will let you know what happens anyway...