When you start to feel period cramps..

[kitten30]

how long was it before labour?

I have had period cramping now for two days. The pressure on my back passage is agony and is causing horrific shooting pain. I can barely walk about. I am 38 plus 3 today and I cant cope with this much longer I am so fed up. Does this sound like I might have my baby soon?

Last time I had cramping for about 24 hrs before labour, this time I have been having it on and off for about 2 weeks and nothing yet (am also 38+3). That said I am not in as much pain as you.

phone the labour ward now they wil be able to advise - they were great with me - good luck xxx

I had this for about three hours and when I arrived at the ward I was 10cm dilated! (First baby - had no idea what was happening....felt v v stupid!)

I think because the baby is back to back my labour is constantly starting and then stopping again. I am going to be drained when it finally kicks in I think. Ah Lorelai if I thought I had two weeks of this I would cry!

Do you think that my midwife may give me a membrane sweep at my appointment on Thursday or is it against policy to do them that soon?

I think dummyhunter is right - call the hospital. Back to back labours often feel different.

kitten, i had back to back labour last time, and my back hurt SO BAD for 2 weeks (sorry!)

My contractions were a different pain when they started. The back pain was worse though than even the crowning. I did cry because it just lasted a long time with nothing happening (sorry again)

My waters broke early (or maybe i had ignored the early signs?) so I had plenty of warning before the proper contractions started. I have read that this is common with back to back.

I repeat, the contractions were a lot less painful than the back ache.

That said, i didn't go for any drugs. I am possibly an idiot, but i just didn't need them?! Could you ask if it's ok to use a tens now? i think it is? and that really helped me with the pain.

How are you feeling now.

Sounds a bit like how I felt with my back to back labour.

Crikey, you could be discribing me right now!

Low, but intense back pain, which sweeps around the front. Feels very much like a period pain.

Yesterday the baba wasn't even engaged!

Hi ladies, still things are the same but I think I am in for another night of it tonight as the back pain has lingered no matter what I do and his head is so low that it really is very difficult to do anything.

Thanks for the encouragement Nagoo. I am still hoping to get him out without needing an epidural and hearing others have done back to back without too much trauma is heartening.

Oh, and if it makes you feel better, i had a 9lb7oz boy, 2am start to 10am delivery.

I am in the waiting for it to come out stage too.... 2 days over.... tons of BH but I want to get going properly!

Have a look at spinning babies website for help with positioning. I'm 38+1 and baby is apparently back to back so am going to try and improve it's position if I can.

Good luck!

Jfly let us know if you have any luck. Mine wont move..I think he keeps trying as I am waking around five every morning with awful back pain and contractions it goes on for a couple of hours ten stops..nothing..so confused!

Nagoo..ouch that is a big baba! Well done! You must be tough! I hope I can be.. :-(

Morning Kitten? Are you still hanging around? My period type pains have stopped, still having non-painful tightenings.

Now I have (TMI alert!) diarrhea! I'm sure I've read that its a good sign (or that the Nasi Goreng I cooked last night was dodgy!)

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Oooh yes once the diarrhea sets in that is a good sign. I keep waiting for that as I have nausea too. Still nothing happening. I am off to the midwife this afternoon ..I am half tempted to ask for a sweep but at 38 plus 5 I dont think she would be prepared to. I think at the 40 week appointment you get offered this though. To be honest I think sex would probably be more effective but with the pressure on my cervix from the baby I imagine it would be quite painful?

I use the Spinning babies techniques as a Doula and find them very effective.
If you could find someone to do the rebovo sifting for you (Manteadsa) it really is quite easy and you only need a long cotton cloth or throw. Then do the inversion for as long as you can stand it.
Also you could consider seeing a chiropractor, they can use the 'webster technique' as sometimes your uterus is twistied and your pelvis needs slight adjustments to help your baby into a better position.
Selina