"period pains" - start of labour?

[spotofcheerfulness]

I should know better - had DC1 only 2 years ago but experienced labour as severe backache and baby appeared very quickly after. Am 39+4 and since this morning been experiencing what feels like period pains every few mins. Could this be a false alarm or the beginning of something? Have experienced Braxton Hicks before and this not it,

sounds promising!!

i had really bad "dragging" pains for a few days before having all of my children,

good luck!

Ooooh I was going to start a thread asking about this! Last night I had period-type pains every 10 mins for 5 hrs, then they all stopped when I had a bath. You'd think I'd be a bit more knowledgable(sp?) by dc4. but I was induced with all my other dc's.

I'm not sleeping well atm either - the last 2 nights I've only been able to sleep from 2am-6am. And I don't do early mornings! Also been peeing about 400 times a day instead of 200. And feeling very 'antsy' like I can't concentrate on anything properly.

I'm 37+3. Do you think things could be starting? Have had enough of being pregnant now, but have no idea if any of these things mean baby is imminent as have never gone into labour naturally, have always been induced.

I had period pains for a few days before going into labour, but I remember waking up in the middle of the night the day it started and my tummy was cramping really sore! I do think "you just know" when it's labour though. Later that day I started getting what I thought were Braxton Hicks but were just different, more like period pains at same time, and they were like clockwork. Mind you, my friend's contractions were completely erratic, but she said she could still tell the difference.

Good luck ladies! :)

If it's not the start of things, does anyone have any tips that might help get thing 'started' properly? Fed up of having HG and SPD, and my consultant has said he's happy to leave me to 42 weeks this time. I'm NOT being pg for another 5 weeks - I've totally had enough of this now.

I'm 40+3 and have had dragging period pains, diarrhoea and backache for a week now with no sign of baby, I'm sorry . Off for a sweep today.

however, my friend had period pains for one day then gave birth that evening, so you might be luckier than me!

It could very well be early contractions, they don't always hurt (as such). I tend to get to 3 or 4 cm with just period pain.

If you tend to birth quickly it'd be worth timing them.

Ohhh, I'm interested in this too. I am 38+4 with DC3 and have had on and off period pains for the last 48 hours and back ache and have been feeling a bit sick and restless. I'm really hoping its the start of things as have major heart burn, piles (tmi!) and can't sleep properly so will be more than happy to get this baby out.

With DC1 I just went straight into to having contractions and with DC2 I think it started off with back ache and period pains but my memory of the build up is a bit sketchy!

Loudlass, I don't know if it was coinicidence, but with DC2 I had an acupuncture session at 40 wks and had DC2 within 24 hours, so I plan to do the same this time if things don't get moving on thier own. I am the same with the peeing for the last few days and the baby has definitely dropped down...

That's a really interesting cross section! I didn't realise it could essentially start then stop. I wonder if your body plays more tricks with you for subsequent DCs? They are definitely coming every 5 minutes or so, but are pretty mild in the grand scheme of things (though I'd be yelping a lot more if they were just part of a period).
As I've arranged standby childcare and SIL on hand (who will be acting as a doula) it probably won't happen for days now!

Loudlass I've also had the insomnia and inability to concentrate on anything. i even made broccoli soup at 7am. This is most out of character for me, so perhaps a sign???

Is activity (e.g walking ) meant to speed things up? All I feel like doing though is lying in bed and conserving my energies..

Good luck Spot. With DC1 I started off with regular contractions that weren't painful and about 12 hours later they gradually built up and she was born!

Walking and keeping upright is meant to help as is bouncing on a birthing ball. But going back to bed is also a mighty fine idea as you are going to need all your energy shortly!

Hello, I have been having all of this since 37 weeks, now 40+4, this is DC2 and I was 17 days late with DS1 so just seeing it all as welcome warm ups. Could do without the nausea and constant clear outs though.

Loudlass Sit on the loo with a raunchy novel. It gets your hormones to get things started and opens your pelvis and uses gravity well.

I'm the same - 40 weeks on Friday - can't concentrate, fidgety and overly emotional - can't sleep at the proper time, but nodding off when I shouldn't be.

Having monster BHs, have an upset tummy. Feel niggling period like pain, don't want to go anywhere or do anything.

Some of it's like the other times (this is number 4) some of it's different.

I'd say each pregnancy AND labour is so differnt you can't ever really tell, but from the period like pains alone, OP, I'd say that it's possibly the start of things for you - so good luck and let us know how you're doing! (I'm not really )

And yes - a good hike will help (though you may not want to go too far) and sex if you can face it (I generally can't when I feel like an elephant!) or just stimulate your nipples.

I've heard people swear by clary sage and acupuncture - can't say I've tried them myself.

Blimey - he arrived at 2.30! Contractions began for proper at 1pm so not much time to prepare but had him in pool. Good luck to everyone else! 8lb2, no name yet .

Congratulations!! So it was the start, then!!

Congratulations Spot! Nice fast labour and a water birth, all sounds good.

Congrtulations, sounds like a great birth!

FANTASTIC!!! well done, and huge congratulations!! x

Congratulations!