Does this sound like something might be starting to happen??

[HelgatheHairy]

I'm 40+4 today. I've pretty much constant discomfort for the last few days but this evening it's period pain type pain. No real pattern, just some lighter cramps and some really strong ones. I've had no bloody show/mucus plug.

Does it sound like labour might be on the way???

First baby so a bit clueless!

I think it sounds positive! Labours can take a while though, so rest a bit. Good luck!

Sleep. Sleep as much as you can. Good luck!

Ooh, and please keep us posted!

Still here. Pains have gotten stronger and I think more frequent. They were waking me during the night but not to full "I'm awake" more "owww" and back to sleep after.

Have sent DH off to work and told him I'm fine but am a bit nervous so would appreciate if there was anyone around.

Not sure if/when I should call the labour ward to see if this is just pre labour and not proper labour.

time your contractions - write down when they start and how long they are.

there might be a pattern emerging.

I'll be driving later, but will be happy to keep checking on you during the day!

oh and ask anything! hopefully I can give you good advice - I have 6 children

I'd second the sleep advice. Also eat well now. Lots of carbs and protein. You don't want to into established labour having not eaten for a while as you will really need that energy.

Pasta, porridge, scrambled eggs on toast. Whatever you can handle without getting heartburn!

Plus lots of fluid.

I had two labours one I had eaten well for the other I didn't. The recovery difference was huge!

Ooh exciting! You can call the labour ward any time, they can give you advice over the phone even if its not time to go in yet and then they will know to expect you at some point today.

The labour ward are also very good at working out from the sound of your voice, whether you can talk through contractions, whether you need to go in yet

If the pains get stronger, a bath and paracetamol may help. How exiting!

Thanks for the support. Sorry for disappearing, I went back to sleep for a while.

From tracking my pains there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern yet. They last roughly 40 to 60 seconds and are from 6 to 15 minutes apart.

Wish I had one of those dogs that you see in the trashy magazines - "my dog knew I was in labour" - mine is lying on the floor licking his bits!

Definitely sounds like the start of things! Agree with the others- rest and eat/drink. If you can't sleep, do you have a tens machine or a ball to bounce on? How far away is your DH?

I think we're in false alarm territory. Ever since I got out of bed and started moving about things have tailed off. No more pains.

Taking it easy on the couch but don't think anything is happening. DH is 20/30 mins away depending on traffic.

It's not false alarm, it's your body warming up to things. My labour was a bit like that for a few days before getting going (they weren't that bad) Good luck, I hope it goes ok.

Don't lose faith, your body is giving you a little rest but your cervix will be softening and dilating from the contractions you've had so far. Your body knows what its doing so just trust it to do it's thing and enjoy the rest.

So I noticed something strange - my cramps are worse if I need to pee?? I've been drinking water and have noticed that I seem to get cramps right as I need to go.

Is this weird??

I ended up calling the labour ward. Cramps got worse & closer together & longer so just checked in. She calmed me down and said it sounded like I could be in tonight but was better off at home for now. I only live about 7 mins from the hospital so no major worry.

Good luck helga!! I'm 39+6, had a second sweep y'day and lost (some of?) my plug this morning. Like you I've been having period type cramps today but mine have kind of eased off over the last hour or so, so I don't think I'll be going anywhere tonight. Hope it's better news for you though!!! Let us know

Good luck helga!!!!
You're going to be a mummy soon!!!

Things seem to have slowed down again! I'm terrified ill go to the hospital and they'll tell me nothing is happening and tell me to go home.

So things kicked in again and I'm going to the hospital in about 10 mins. I just need to know if something is happening. If they send me home so be it.

Good luck Helga! Let us know how you get on

Good luck!

helga how are things?

Let's hope this is it!

I'm in the hospital. I'm dehydrated and baby's heartbeat was a little erratic. They put me on a drip and sent DH home. They don't think anything will happen tonight. Pain is getting sharp though so trying to distract myself.

Sounds like sound advice...try to sleep though...honestly it's such a cliche but so true (like you can sleep knowing you're imminently about to go in to labour and you're on a drop!!!).
And tell DH to sleep!!!!
I'm in a different time zone, so wide awake!