Very early labour? Bounce about or get some rest?

[webminx]

37 weeks with DC2. Planned HB. MW was here yesterday and confirmed all ok and could go ahead - baby very low down, in right position etc.

Woke up at 3:30 this morning with strong cramps/mild contractions which repeated every 20-30 minutes, lasting about 30 secs until 5:30 when I fell back asleep.

This has continued throughout the day - mild contractions (like a bad period pain) every 30-45 minutes but only lasting half a minute or so.

Tried to nap earlier but finding it hard to sleep through the contractions as am a light sleeper. Feeling very fed up, tired and cranky as a result!

Is feels like early labour? Is it, or is it just wishful thinking, do you think?
Should I:
a) bounce about on birthball, walk about, stay active etc and try to encourage progress or
b) try to get some rest and see what happens without trying anything else?

Exciting! I vote for resting while you feel you can. I had an incredibly long early labour with contractions no more than 6 minutes apart for 45 hours (!) so really needed that rest. Though that was DC1 and I'm sure your DC2 will be much quicker

Good luck!

Rest until they become more regular, at least you can get 20 min cat naps between contractions at this stage.

Good luck! Sounds like early labour - rest while you can!

Have something to eat, something slow release as you won't want to eat later and you'll need the energy. Exciting!

oooh yay :-). DH just putting DC1 to bed, so will get some food together, watch some TV and try to have an early night. Fingers crossed it'll kick off tonight! Labour with DC1 was VERY slow and stop/start for 3 days (although was 41 weeks) so really hoping this one will give me a break and wraps things up inside a day!

Ooh a live birth thread?

Get some rest and keep us updated!

Another vote for rest while you can. Hope you're not waiting too long though! Good luck

I have no idea but given your last labour I would say rest!

How are you doing this morning webminx?

Hope you got some sleep!

Well, went to bed around 10pm after watching several episodes of Breaking Bad and insisting DH set up birth pool, etc....

Slept entire night, woken only by DC1 complaining of a bad dream in which a man stole his car (!).

Not so much as a TWINGE!
Gah! Cannot BELIEVE IT! Thought that was a DEFINITE go!!
Going to walk the legs off myself today and do some gardening, which might encourage this baby to try a bid for freedom again!

Ah a trial run.

Baby is getting ready, but not quite cooked yet.

Don't overdo it, you will need your strength for the birth.

Baby will come when he/she is ready.

Oh web how frustrating. It will happen soon