Can someone tell me what is going on?!!

[NewlywedUpTheDuff]

I'm 37+6, and really don't know what's going on

First baby, lots of period type cramps and pressure from baby pushing down since last Thursday, spoke to midwife Saturday who said its baby getting into position. But it's still going on and getting worse tonight

Lots of lower back pain, stronger pains but a constant ache when the strong pains go, no show and no waters breaking (I don't think but lots of discharge, sorry if tmi!), no hard bump feeling.

Anyone else had this? Do I have this to look forward to for the next 2 weeks because I don't think I can deal with it!

Well I've delivered 3 times, and I hate to say this, but even though those last few weeks feel like forever, it actually is a short time. Very short time.
All you are feeling is normal.
I would suggest you write a diary, moan and swear on it, ooh... aah..., or just doodle. Date them. When your baby is getting into primary school, you'll have a great time looking back.
Good luck and congratulation!

You could be in labour, or you could be warming up :) Try to go with what feels right in terms of resting, or moving, swaying etc. If you feel you need support, and you're having a homebirth, maybe give the MW a ring for a chat. If a hospital birth, go with what feels right.

If you think there's a chance your waters are leaking then it's important to avoid vaginal examinations unless you really want them (they're always optional) as they can increase the risk of infection.

Sounds very exciting :) These latent stages can last a long time (yes even weeks) or move into more active labour. Just try to keep focused on what your body is saying to you.

Thanks for the advice. I am having a hospital birth and feel that possibly my waters could be leaking, but this is all new to me so I'm very unsure

I just wish it would get on and start or these pains would stop

Yes, it can be very tiring and confusing. You could try some paracetamol and try to rest. I know, I know...

I took some paracetamol about half an hour ago so hopefully they will kick in soon

Are you feeling that things are moving up a notch, staying the same or slowing down?

I feel like the pains tonight are stronger than they have been previously, but I don't feel like they are getting worse. Only been having stronger period type pains since about 9pm but they haven't got any worse since then, having lower back pain too

Try and sleep tonight. But with stronger pains in waves, and if you can't sleep through them, ring the labour ward for advice.

Wouldbeharrietvane don't get my hopes up

Is the wetness enough to have to wear a pad and change it frequently? If you think it is you should phone the labour ward and they can check. I didn't have a show with DS before my waters leaked out.

No it's more like a trickle, not constant but quite often. So I don't know

OK, so there's a reasonable chance that your waters are leaking. How exciting!

Quite often the hospital will (sometimes very strongly) encourage you to be induced if it is your waters leaking, and it carries on for whatever amount of time your individual hospital's guidelines have come up with (can be anything from 24 hours to several days - no good evidence for any of these). If you wish to be more aware of your options and the reasoning behind all this, here's a useful link: midwifethinking.com/2010/09/10/pre-labour-rupture-of-membranes-impatience-and-risk/

Further to what I posted above, I think you should go in to be checked tomorrow, so they can test to see if the discharge is amniotic fluid, and to check if you are beginning to dilate.

Thanks everyone it's all really helpful

I will see how I go tonight and call my midwife in the morning if things are still as they are.

Ooooooh good luck!!!

Just woke up with more pains no stronger than before so took some more painkillers

I reckon your near!
I had the same for 10 nights, shes asleep on me now, 3 weeks old.
try & relax, I know its hard, Its exciting though x

This sounds gross but what does the leakage smell like ? I thought mine smelt like semen and believe me DH had not been near me in a while.

My waters went Monday and I had DS Thursday so don't expect them to rush around like headless chickens getting you prepped for labour if it is your waters. They tend to leave you at least 24 hours before they start inducing you to see if you start off yourself.

Can you manage to get in a nice warm bath and then sit on a birthing ball for a few hours with legs akimbo, that might help move things along.

Good luck though, very exciting.

Good luck sunshine!
Think your getting closer x

Madame - I haven't smelt it if I'm honest. But woke up this morning now and the pains seem to have eased off. I hope I'm near I'm so fed up see how today goes I suppose!

And will definitely try the birthing ball today! Maybe I will be lucky and it will get things going

Ah, another day of relative peace then! Don't forget you don't need to be induced if your waters have gone unless you want to be, and the timescales are arbitrary and not evidence based. Different hospitals have different guidelines (while one will put great pressure on you at 24 hours, others won't blink for 3 days).

I hope you're able to enjoy these last few days, however many they are.

Well the cramps have started again and my midwifed phone is turned off -again!