What's going on?!

[osculation]

Hello,

I've been having contractions about every 7 minutes (although now getting closer together and more painful and intense) for the past 3 hours. This happened last night as well and led me to think that maybe it's time but stopped at around 3am and didn't come back all day (just had dull lower back ache). I'm 39 weeks so would be pretty happy if this was it but not loving the idea of getting these pains every night for another week or so. I know early labour takes a while to get going but is this actually early labour if it's taken a break all day and only just started up again?

Ring the delivery room. It looks like you are in labour. Yeah!

As in proper labour, I mean.

Really? Thank goodness.

I keep thinking 'how the heck am I going to cope with labour if this is hurting so much now?!'

Thank you.

They might say to phone back when they are a bit closer together but if you feel you can't cope at home any lingere, go in. I had the early labour thing with DS 3 years ago and am avoiding phoning the MW for as long as possible this time (40+3) because I have a fair idea what I'm in for, iyswim, i.e. a few days of mucking about before it gets going. But that's how I seem to labour and it'll be different for you.

The latent or early stage can go on for a while but it is all doing useful stuff, even if it is mind-alteringly frustrating. Alternatively, tonight may be your night (squee!).

Thing is, labour is different for everyone and if it's your first baby then you genuinely have no idea what it's going to feel like when it's established labour rather than the latent stage, or at least I didn't last time.

Can you talk through the contractions?

Longer, not lingere, whatever that is.

If that's why you keep thinking, it sounds like the real deal. Hope it goes well.

I would wait at home longer. They might go off again. If they get so close they're taking up all of your concentration, all of the time, go in. Good luck!

So what's going on now OP?

Hello

My waters broke at 2:30am on friday and ds was born at 8:14am. Once it got going it all happened very quickly and it took until I got to the pushing stage for me to believe it was actually labour!

Yay! Congratulations.

Told you so!
Congratulations!

Oh, well done! That is such fab news!

DD born this morning at 2:25am after 24 hours of early labour (told you) & 3.5 of active.

Newborn babies rock!