Can Labour start without any warning "niggles"?

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Currently 41 weeks with dc2 and not really feeling anything that makes me think Labour is imminent. Getting lots of Braxton hicks which tighten at the bottom of my bump and take my breath away a bit, but that's about it.

I was induced with ds, but was 4cm when examined without knowing I'd been having contractions or dilating so no reference point there. I'm desperate to avoid induction this time as it was bloody awful, but I have no idea what my body is upto. My expectation of Labour is that I'll have some periody type niggles and these will gradually get more consistent and stronger.

So what I'm wondering is whether or not anyone had a Labour where the first they knew about it was when their waters broke or when contractions started coming thick and fast. If so how far along were you? and what number dc was it?

Yep, I did. DC2, my waters broke with absolutely no warning and she was born 2 and a half hours later
I was 40+11 though and due to go in to be induced the next morning, so it wasn't a total surprise

That's what I'm hoping is going to happen to me, as the lack of anything I could reliably describe as early Labour has been concerning me slightly.

Although 2 and a half hours is very quick, my dp has a job that requires travel to various destinations daily, could be a photo finish to get to the hospital if it's that quick lol

Dc3 I had no niggles, first pain at 7.30pm he was born at 10.40pm, got to the hospital at 10.05pm and was 8cm, waters broke when pushing.

Good luck!

It happened with me, straight into contractions 5 mins apart. No warning before. Ds born 3 hours later.

He was dc2. Dc1 was simliar, no warning, straight into contractions, born 6 hours later.

Well these stories are very reassuring. I'll just have to try and convince myself that the same will happen to me.

These last few weeks of pregnancy are so frustrating, I'm driving myself (and dp) crazy wondering what's going on

Yes, dc2 started with massive, regular contractions late on my due date. Thankfully they eased off enough for me to get to hospital where she was born 3 hours later

Both my labours started with regular close contractions.

Dc one - labour 4.5 hours

Dc2 - labour 2.5 hours

Yep! For my last birth! I had an emotional outburst after a total lack of induction progress, felt waters go POP and there was a baby wih us just an hour later

With both mine waters broke with no warnings at all! First time immediate contractions, born 15 hours later, second no contractions for about 18 hours then quick labour and birth.

Ds, no niggles or slightest BH until midn

Ds, no niggles or even BH until midnight before due date. A few BH, then 4am contractions every 10 min, soon every 5 min, then waters broke. Was 5cm soon after.
Another 32 hours and ds was extracted via ventouse, so it's not always quick!

Dd similar, no BH but one day nasty SPD twinges, finally dawned on me they were getting to be 10 min apart and were actually contractions! Only 19 hours that time.

Dc1, waters went, ctx started half an hour later, he was born about 8 hours after that.

Dc2, first small ctx around 7am, realised what they were by about 7.10, every 5 minutes/3 minutes and he was born at 10.30.

Dc3, niggling sort of mild ctx from about 2.30pm but really not sure what they were as only lower bump/sides and not bad at all - but maybe every 10-15 minutes on and off all afternoon.

Could feel baby was very low indeed.
Then they started again around 8/9pm, still wasn't entirely sure, eventually realised they were getting more sore around 9.30-10 and rang up folks to have the children.
It ramped up a bit by the time everyone arrived and I was 6cm at the hospital at around 11.30, he was born at ten to 1 in the morning.

By far my longest and weirdest labour.

Yep Ds2. From nothing to full on contractions five mins apart.
41+12

Both mine did. One minute, nothing, next minute waters went and contractions started.

Yes, I had some niggles at 39 weeks and then nothing until 40+3 when my waters broke - EVERYWHERE. Contractions started immediately, it wasn't quick though - baby arrived 30 hours later. First baby.

Well after all that my waters went with no warning last night. It was comedy really, literally taken my first bite of takeaway curry that I'd fancied all day and they went. Maybe there's some worth in old wives tales after all Now at home cuddling with my new born dd.

Congratulations yes

Yay, brilliant Congratulations

Mine went shortly after consuming the biggest plate of spaghetti bolognese, I'm surprised I wasn't sick in labour!! 2.5 hours was a bit quick, luckily I'd rung the hospital who said to come in and get checked out, as I didn't feel I needed help until right at the end and DD would have ended up being a bathroom floor or car baby!