HELP! First pregnancy, induction booked and confused!

[Glamdazzlegirl]

I'm 40+4 weeks and I have an induction booked for Saturday.

I keep having pains that I can describe as tightening of my bump, with period cramps and lower back pain - these last for on average a minute with intervals of 7 minutes, and get more intense as it goes on. They'll last for aabout an hour then stop. Do these sound like contractions or braxton hicks? My midwife says it sounds like mild contractions and the stop / starting a sign of early labour. But my Dr didn't really say anything.

Any advice?

This really sounds like the beginning of labour to me.Sounds like the very early stages.I had my lb 6 days early & I knew he was coming because a couple of days before my waters broke I had what you are describing.Hope this is the case for you too...but maybe not as all labours/birth experiences are completely different.
All the best :)

They sound like contractions and the start of early labour to me.
My contractions were similar to start with but as I wasn't progressing and my waters had the day before I was induced by drip and DD was born 4 hours later.
Good luck, I hope you have your little one in your arms very soon.

Oh thank you to both :-)

I hope you're both right, I would love things to progress naturally.

Thank you again

Let us know if it happens for you! Good luck x

Oh wow yes definitely sounds like contractions -I had these in the few days leading to my waters breaking too and was then put on the drip to speed up labour.

I hope it is the start of things for you - fingers crossed

With a first baby latent stage ( early labour) can take a while.

You do not have to agree to be induced on Saturday, human pregnancy is 37-42 wks, you are not "ovedue" until after 42 wks.

Good luck

Mumtolil - I will def let you know! I'm not counting in it but it's hard to not think about it!

NancyOsbourne - thank you, again I hope you're right! I feel like they're teasing me, just as they're regular for an hour they just stop!

Ps: I agree with Lia66 you don't have to be induced.It makes labour natrually very very long as it has been forced.But I think it's happening for you natrually anyway :)

Lia66 - thank you. I was considering saying no to the induction. But after a growth scan last week, tgey estimated weight after 9-10lb gulp - I am 6ft!, so Dr suggested induction at 41 weeks after talking about shoulders possibly getting stuck now I'm terrified!

I was also told my lb was at least 10Ibs!
Several doctors told me this & a Scan apparently confirmed this!...well my lb was a very average 8Ibs...they get this wrong alot! Whatever happens...What will be will be & he/she will be in your arms any day now :)
Also don't worry about the size of baby.They say your body will only produce a baby it can handle!

Oh really?! I have read that the growth scans aren't exactly known to be accurate! I guess as a first pregnancy I'm just overthinking everything!

Yes you probably are! Try & enjoy the last bit of pregnancy & relax! I think when you are tall (like me too) it worries you that you are going to have a massive baby! lol
All will be fine...we are made to do this!!! :)

I will try and relax and I will keep repeating "I am made to do this". Thank you!

Growth scans are notoriously innacurate, it's unlikely your body will grow a baby that you cannot birth.
Also shoulder dystocia is rare and some Mws believe can actually be more likely in an induced labour due to baby being forced out before being able to get into its natural position for birth. Does that make sense?
If you are 6 ft it is unlikely you are going to have a 6lb baby , there is anicdotal evidence to suggest heavier babies are easier to birth, my ten lb er backs this up, ( I have 6 dc's).

Sounds to me like natural labour is not far off, just go about your days and nights, drink plenty as dehydration can make bra ton hicks uncomfortable.

Trust your baby and your body, it might take time to warm up but it does know what to do.

I am also six foot and had a rather silly conversation with doctors who performed a 34 week scan about my 'enormous ' baby. Given my height and also DH is over 6 ft I felt they were being a bit bonkers. Of course my baby is going to be big, I'm taller than average...Refused all further scans and would have refused induction. DC2 home water birth no stitches, one push weighing in at 8 lbs 8oz not the enormous 10 lbs the scan said. DC1 8lbs 3 oz also water birth.

Also with Dc1 I was in early labour for a week..
Good luck!

Is the induction today? If so, good luck! Or maybe you've had him/her already