First time mum-looking for some advice

[RachK7191]

I was woken at 4.30am this morning by really bad back pain which I have felt building up since Saturday, no matter which way I lie, sit or stand it is still there. Occasionally I get a few cramps in my lower abdomen but nothing that last longer than say 20 seconds and the cramps aren't really too painful. I've not had a bloody show or lost my mucus plug, does anyone know what this pain could be?

Forgot to mention i'm 38+1

It could be the baby moving position, I had this a few times.

Give your midwife a call just to be in the safe side though.

Will do, I've had quite a few tightening's since Saturday also, baby is still moving regularly, at my last midwife app which was 28.5.15 she said baby's head was locked in position ready.

It just sounds like your body is gearing up for labour. You'll get practice contractions and your baby is big at 38 weeks so s/he will not have much room for manoeuvre and will be pressing on your nerves and bladder and against your bones and other organs - all very uncomfortable as I recall! However, if you're worried, please give your midwife a call. But you're getting close to your due date now and these kind of twinges are normal.

Thank you for your advice, I think if the consistent pain is still there by time I get up tomorrow and no other change I may give midwife a call, at the moment paracetamol and warm baths are doing nothing.

My labour with dd1 was like this. It felt all in my back at first, not the traditional tightening across the front type contractions. I don't want to worry you - but this might actually be labour so I would give your midwife a quick call and see what she thinks.

Will they not think I'm stupid ringing up without my waters breaking or without having a show....I don't want them to think I'm wasting their time

Get your urine tested. I had this and it turned out to be a uti. The last week or so of pg and labour were so much better than they would have been had I not had the antibiotics I needed! All my mega Braxton hicks and 'late pregnancy/latent labour pains' were actually symptoms of the uti/kidney infection.

Try to avoid taking paracetamol - it can lead to an extended latent phase of labour and leave you very tired. It interferes with the hormones involved in ramping up contractions. And is pretty useless! Good luck!

I never saw my 'show' so I think that's irrelevant. Also some women can get all the way through labour and birth without their waters breaking!

No they won't think you are stupid at all. They'd much rather you check.