Regular tightenings with strong period cramps - but they're very frequent. This isn't right for early labour, right?

[Electroswing]

I'm 40+1, and for the last 2-3 hours I've been having Braxton Hicks-like tightenings accompanied by a strong period cramp feeling. Not enough to make me want painkillers, or even get in the bath - but stronger than my pre-pregnancy menstrual pain. I've been timing them, and they're coming anywhere from 15 to 6 minutes apart - mostly around the 8 minute mark. They don't last long, no more than 15 seconds or so.

I've had no show and no mucous plug loss.

This doesn't seem right for early labour - I thought contractions were supposed to be further apart if this mild?

Is this just one of those weird late pregnancy things? Will it go away? Or can labour start this way? Anyone any experience?

Labour started that way for me, except the mild period like cramps were three minutes apart! Could well be early labour.

Oh that's interesting drowsy. I was thinking it should be the textbook 'every 20 minutes to start with'. Didn't realise it was possible for things to start with small, frequent pains . . .

Mine were a steady 3 minutes apart for the entire 16 hours [sob]. But they weren't really painful until around the 7 hour mark. So it could be!

Both of my labours were three-minute-apart contractions from the word go, too. Good luck if this is it!

Yes I fell for the 'slow and miles apart' nonsense too. As soon as mine started they were 3 mins apart and ruddy painful!

Didn't mean for a fast labour though, was to do with the babies position.

Definitely could be something! Marking place for a live birth thread, I loved mine a few weeks ago! DC1,2,3,4,5 or 6 electroswing?

Mine with dc3 were every 3 minutes the whole way through, they were damn painful from the start too. Luckily I was only in labour for 3 hours.

Could go either way. My last pregnancy I had several nights of "false" labour that were similar to what you describe (ie like mild contractions). They would become quite regular, even go down to every 4 minutes, and then after a couple of hours just disappear. It was very frustrating, but my body is utterly rubbish at going into labour on it's own

Fingers crossed this is the real thing for you!

A little girl, DC1. Thus having no idea what to expect labour-wise.

It's still happening. DH is very ready to be excited so I'm trying to keep it casual here, but I'm beginning to wonder . . . oo-er!

YY to being due to the positioning - DS was back to back, think the contractions were trying to turn him unsuccessfully.

Thanks for the experiences and advice everyone, it's all really useful.

I suppose I'll know by bedtime whether this is the real thing or false labour . . .

I had this for 2 weeks leading up to labour ... Sorry! It's not something you ever read about in the textbooks but it's quite common. Keep an eye on it, but try and rest, be prepared for this to continue for days just in case - it's tiring. It does mean that when labour starts properly you should be slightly dilated already, if it does go on for days. Or it may turn into full blown labour within the next few hours! Also my contractions with DC2 were irregular all the way through so be aware that uneven spacings don't necessarily mean it's nothing.

Mine started exactly like that at about 4pm, by 8.30pm I was having strong contractions every 2 mins lasting 1 min, baby born midnight. It could definitely be the real thing! Good luck!

It could go either way. Exciting though

I don't think many labours are text-book - especially contraction wise.
Those babies haven't read the manual - what have they been doing in there for 9 months huh?
Just mooning about and doing cartwheels I reckon!

All labours are different. Mine started off about 10 mins apart, quickly progressed to 8 and stayed that way for about the next 36 hours until they ramped up. So could be early labour! Good luck.

Could well be early labour my dc1 was abit like that. Only time will tell but even if it's not labour this time any kind of activity is preparing your body. Fingers crossed this is it for you.
MrsDevere I'm with you! With dc4 dp was saying "butt I think we really need to go to hospital" yes yes darling when I've finished watching downtown. An hour later I was sucking on the gas and air like there's no tomorrow!

I had 20 weeks of Braxton Hicks every 5 mins from midday till 8pm. By about 36 weeks it was accompanied by pain (head v. cervix)
Actual labour started with contractions about every 7 minutes but like an iron grip around my cervix, with none of the bump-hardening of BHs.
So, from that perspective, could be anything.

Both my labour's were period pain types. dc1 started with strong period pains 5 mins apart, 3 hrs later REAL pain then 3hrs after that a baby boy. dc2 (months of false labours and niggles - irritable uterus apparently) then WHAM 3 in 10 minutes which made me do the 'mooing' sound. cos of 'irritable uterus' I remained in denial despite being unable to speak to midwife on phone as dh was trying to persuade me this was it. so pleased I listened in the end cos dd was born 3.5 hrs later! I didn't really 'feel' the stomach tightening during labour but it must have been there as pushing lasted only 20 and 5 mins respectively. I was very fortunate. looking fwd to hearing your happy news!

I think if I was in your situation I'd be tempted to have a bath and go to bed really early. If it is the real thing and gets more painful later on you'll be glad you got some sleep. I laboured through the night with both of mine, and didn't get any sleep for 2 days with Ds1 - one night lost to labour and then couldn't sleep in hospital and it meant I was so tired by the time I got home. Even 2-3 hours of sleep early in the night I went into labour would have helped I'm sure.

Also, DS2 started as period pain, 4 weeks ago tonight. I wasn't certain until very late on that it was labour! Only 25 mins from getting to hospital to having my baby, was very disappointed to have missed out on the gas and air fest I'd been looking forward to all pregnancy!

Have you got a timer for your contractions?

Oooh good luck. Does sound like the beginning.

Agree with the sleep thing. I laboured for 48 hours with contractions starting at every 10 mins then 12 hours of every 2 mins, and didn't get a wink of sleep in that time which I'm sure contributed to me needing ventouse as I was too exhausted to push by the end. Go to bed!