So if I'm right this could go on for a few days...

[happycamel]

On Sunday I had achey period type pain a bit in the evening. Yesterday I was okay most of the day but between 7pm and midnight getting distinctive on and off again pains lasting about 40 seconds and about 7 mins apart (every now and then I'd have a 15 min gap then a stronger/longer one).

I had a bath and went to bed but was woken a few times in the night with pains. Now it's 7:30am and I feel fine, no pains and I know DH is going to be upset when he wakes up because he was getting really excited last night.

I'm 39 weeks today with my 1st BTW.

Does anyone have any advice or an opinion of whether last night was a "trial" or whether I should expect to be holding a baby by the weekend please?

I'm expecting my first so a bit clueless but from what i've read i'd say keep active and get out for a nice brisk walk to hopefully get things going

Oooh yes, it can drag on for a few days.
But it's not a waste of time. Your body will be getting ready, your cervix maybe softening and beginning to dilate a little, so hopeful when things move up a gear you won't have so much work to do.

I'm feeling pretty much the same as you happycamel. I'm 39+6 today with my first and since Saturday Ive had period pain type aches, mostly in my back. I woke early this morning with more noticeable pain in back and twinges in tummy, but they haven't got any stronger since.

I'm taking it all as a good sign that my body is gearing up for what is to come.

Hopefully it won't be too long before baby decides to make an appearance!

How long's a piece of string? The latent phase or pre-labour can go on for hours or weeks.

Just do whatever makes you happy. You've earned the right. I wouldn't bother with trying to hurry things on (generally you can't, it's not a process we decide for ourselves) and marching up and down stairs and walking for miles can just exhaust you when you've got a quite tiring event coming up. But if you want to go for a walk and do lunges, then you do that. Like I said, whatever makes you happy. I found Sitting and Eating were good. Sometimes Bathing. The best moments combined the three.

This happened at 40+7 for me and still didn't deliver till 40+12 so yes it could go on for a bit.

But as piprabbit said it means there is something preparing itself for lift off. When you are actually in labour you will know

I had long latent phases, 2 days with my first and 30 odd hours with my second. I had regular contractions 5-10 mins apart the whole time. I found a TENS machine brilliant the second time around, it wasn't until active labour started that I felt I needed to get in the pool and have some G&A.

The best bit of advice I had to cope with a long latent phase is that labour never goes backwards, every contraction is a step closer even if it's taking aaaages.

Have you got a birth ball? They are fantastic for bouncing around on and are meant to help things along.

Thanks for all the replies, it's nice to know I'm not alone. I'm going for a gentle trip to the bank and the shops now then maybe I'll have a snooze for a bit.

I only started mat leave yesterday so all this free time is a bit unfamiliar. I do have a ball so I'll sit on that and have an good MN session this afternoon too.

I'm pleased you all think that my body is getting ready even if it could take a few days. I'm being induced due to GD next Monday and it would be lovely if I was nearly ready and the first set of hormones worked. I'd really like to avoid needing a drip and epidural (although I'll accept it if I need it).

JoJo keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Exciting, isn't it?

Hey happy camel.
If you find contractions start up and then stop or you'd like things to get going more quickly, you can use an acupressure point on the leg and one on the hand to get things going. Helps a lot with pain too. Google acupressure + Debra Betts for info on where the points are - it's really good!
xx

Well I'm still here and baby is still quite comfy in there! The aches and twinges I felt haven't got any stronger and in all honestly they feel less intense. Typical! I'm now 40+1 and seeing midwife later so will be interesting to see what she says.

How are things with you happycamel?

Hello I was just going to post something very similar!! I have had the same thing accpet have been having contractions on and off for about 4 weeks. (Im now 39 weeks) I did not help that I had a car accident 2 weesk ago think that did not help!! But since last Friday have been having contractions that come to a pattern and a peak then fade off they can last all day and all night have had very little sleeep! My DP took yesterday off as we thought it might be it and my son needed taking to school I could not drive! We have no local support either. I took my son today and had some period cramps they just come and go. I think I lost my mucus plug last night as well.

With first pregnancy I was admitted into hospital for a week before my DS was born it was horrible really strong contractions then they would fade off. I was in quite a bit of pain no sleep for a week accpet a few hours and not much to eat. I was exhausted when it came to real labour! He was back to back as well (which makes it worse more painful and longer?!). I hope this time its not quite as bad. 2nd time Im putting it off until the real labour kicks in pain to take your breath away and to stop you in your tracks. This baby is back to back as well. Should of seen a consultant today but could not get lift or drive as the contractions got worse and its a 20 mins drive!! I rang they said dont worry we will prob see you in the labour ward before the weekend! I hope so. This time around Im getting sleep inbetween pain and making sure I eat something even if I think I dont want it. Will need the energy for labour!! Thats the only tip I would give lots of rest when you can and eat little and often and eat what you want that gives you energy. I have and underactive thyroid as well so that adds to tiredness. Just enjoy the rest of the time on your own as well. Good luck I hope we all get our babys soon and that they are all healthy and happy!! Good luck everyone

Update: It did go on a few days, Monday night I had fairly regular contractions, about every 7 mins for 6 hours, which then stopped. Wednesday morning I had a placental haemorrage (we later found out) and went in for monitoring and was found to be 2 cm.

I had mild contractions until 3pm (while they faffed about trying to find me anti-D and a bed on antenatal unit). My waters broke at 3pm when I was found to be 7cm and I delivered at 6pm. The midwife was useless throughout because she couldn't get the hang of how quickly I was progressing and would disappear for an hour at a time, check me, squawk, write frantically in my notes and then piss off.

My mother turned up when I was in transition, she was a midwife although stopped practice in 1988. She delivered my baby. Was a fantastic birth, mum helped prevent me tearing and coached me through pushing.

Midwife never laid a hand on me or spoke directly to me between telling me she was going to check how dilated I was after my waters broke and that she wasn't going to move me from the monitoring room to antenatal if I was going to "start labouring" (I was 7cm), never made it to a proper delivery room.

I was then discharged after 6 hours because there was no room on post natal for me. The following day the called me in for the post natal check (was originally told it would be a home visit) I was there for 7 hours, waiting to be seen with a baby less than 24 hours old. They didn't provide food or drink for me. They couldn't tell me what was taking so long. I had to stay because I needed anti-D (still hadn't had it from bleed the previous morning so getting on for 36 hrs out of 72 max). Turns out I needed a double dose because bleed was so big. They then retained my post natal notes and can't track them down. I was too out of it after being there 7 hours to notice. Now I'm being yelled at by community midwife for "losing" them.

Should I complain? Please tell me if I'm over reacting. I had fab antenatal care and feel very let down and lucky to have had my mum there.

Congratulations on your baby!
Thank God your Mum was there with you. Yes I think you should complain btw.