Is it starting?!

[Novia]

Feeling quite excited! 39+5 and had a bloody show over the last couple of days. Haven't had any noticeable BH at all during pregnancy but have had spells of period pain. I've had short bursts of that same period pain in approximately one minute bursts every 8 mins or so since just before 1am. Am I in labour?!

Sound like it to me!

Good morning hun :) it does sound like it

You also sound like me! I'm just in bath now trying to stop the pain lol :) sorry I don't mean to hijack your thread with my story.

I'm 39+4. Show and mucous plug this morning, back pain then mini contractions, 3/4 mins apart for about 30 seconds. Ouch :(

Are you ok?

Ooh good luck both of you! How exciting

Thanks everyone.

Hi Twinkle - hope you're doing okay and things are progressing nicely! Bath sounds good! I'm so tired - didn't get any sleep tonight but looks like still a way to go still. Currently sat with my back against the hot radiator to try and ease the ache. Averaging just over 5 mins apart but think it needs to be more consistent before I think about moving. At the moment it's scary but manageable.

Hello ladies im jumping on! Im 41+2 and have also been getting period pains on and off since about 2 ish. No back pains and stomach goes hard but not at bottom? ? Dont want to get my hopes up as could be bh but they are painful

Novia, you need to get some rest and some sleep. It could quite possibly be a few days and you won't have the energy to cope when it matters.

Good luck!

How exciting.........

Ooh I love a birth thread!!! Good luck all of you and keep up informed!! Sending you all mummy-vibes

Ooh how exciting, a live birth thread with 3 ladies in labour.

My advice would be to take a paracetamol and try and rest as much as you can. If it is your first early labour can last a while and you will need your energy for later on. I think I had regular contractions for about 13 hours before I was in active labour (and they were every two minutes for 6 hours of that). Also eat a good meal now to build your reserves, when the contractions get stronger you will not feel like eating.

Im not sure if mines even the start? I bloody hope it is! Know theres a long strech ahead if it is. Pains are still only like period pains so not sure.

Newmum - sounds about right. Are they in a pattern, do they come and go?

I've been having regular contractions for around 14 hours now and it's really quite painful. Averaging around 4-5 mins so still have a while til I can go to the hospital. Had some lunch and a couple of co-codamol but struggling now. Beginning to feel a little disheartened, but glad she's on her way.

They are coming every 8-10 mins but only 30 odd seconds apart. Been like that for four hours now! When are you planning going in?

Good luck xx

With dd1 I was told to phone them when contractions are lasting 1 minute and every 5 minutes. I went in when they were every 2 minutes and lasting a minute, but when I got there was not dilated so I was sent home. I was then told to come back when I could no longer speak during contractions.

I haven't been able to speak during them since about 5 hours in! Too painful. Dreading going in and being told only 2/3 cms though! Around 4.5 mins now so will give it another few rounds to see if it stays similar then consider going in.

Depends how far away you are. I wouldn't go in until I was 2mins apart but then I've done it 3 times.

The first time they were around 4mins apart and painful enough to vocalise and when I got there they thought I was in transition from how I was behaving. Turned out I was 'almost 2cm' hmm.

The next two I didn't bother going in/calling mw out until they were 2cm apart and lasting for over a minute. Much better plan and still had plenty of time.

Sounds promising Novia.

Good luck! Mine are still randomly happening but are lasting longer. Goinrg to try and get some sleep but cant see that happening x

Just leaving the hospital - went in to be checked but after 23 hours I am only 2 cms dilated which is gutting. Going to try and get some sleep when I get home.

Ah so sorry (novia). If it is any help, when I went in at 2cm the baby was born 12 hours later.

How you doing novia? X

Hope you managed to get some sleep Novia, it will all happen soon. No matter how tired and in pain you feel now at the end it will all melt away as you hold your baby.

Last I heard at 7am she was still only 6cm. So, slow going! Hopefully very shortly she will be holding her baby. She's my sister, I'm looking forward to meeting my new neice later today hopefully!

Wow thanks for the update RNW. I notice the other 2 have gone quiet too!

Im still here!! Been getting contractions through the night and this morning but they've slowed down a bit now. Gone back to every 20 mins or so. Hope they don't stop!

Hey sis!

Hi guys - I'm 36 hours in and just had an epidural as my BP was too high. Feeling better than I have for days! Well enough to Mumsnet from my bed. I'm only 5 cms but they just broke my waters too, so hoping for some progress in the next few hours.

I'll keep you posted! :)

Hi Novia, glad you are feeling better. Take the opportunity to rest while you can now to give you strength for the pushing stage.

Thanks for the updates RNW, you must be a very excited Aunty-to-be.

New mum try to rest, your body probably knows that you need it before kicking of into labour proper. They can't stay in forever.