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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Is this labour?

70 replies

Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:22

Can anyone give me advice please? I don't want to go bothering the delivery suite until i am sure really. Since about midnight last night, I started having more intense braxton hicks than usual. they were accompanied by the baby really grinding down in my groin each time. they came q regularly at about every 7-8 minutes, but apart from the grinding weren't really painful. I managed to eventually get to sleep at 2am but was aware all night of a period cramp, coming and going. had fitful sleep and dreams, and woke properly at 6.30am. since then i have had tightenings every 4-6 minutes and they are making my back really ache each time. but they dont hurt at the front, just tight and uncomfortable. they dont last more than 20 seconds either, but are certainly q regular.
I have no idea what is happening, its been over 8 hours now, and dont know whether to let DH go to work or not!!
Would appreciate your advice, as to whether anyone started like this.........or will i know when its for real?

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Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:24

by the way am 8 days overdue - no waters, no show

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Ghosty · 25/05/2004 08:25

Um ... sounds like it could be the start of it Egypt How far is DH's work? Could he be home quickly if you needed him to be?

Ghosty · 25/05/2004 08:27

PS ... I didn't have breaking of waters or a show when my labour with DS started ... just the cramps that you describe.

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:29

thanks ghosty, didnt think anyone would be up! dh's work is 45 mins away. then the hosp is halfway back there again.

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Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:30

feel like such a fraud, as went to del suite 2 weeks ago with suspected broken waters - dur, and was wrong! guess i shall just have to wait and see here. keep having visions of being one of those women who give birth without realising they were in labour! (sorry, naive first timer)

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bbensley · 25/05/2004 08:36

This is how mine started

However they all died down every 12 mins lasting 30 secs for rest of the day and kicked off again about 8pm at night. I rang the labour suite and let them know and they advised me to stay at home as long as i could bear it.

So thats what I advise, ring them, let them know you think you may be on the way and take their advice.

I was very excited when it happened to me in January, hope everything goes well

bbensley · 25/05/2004 08:39

I rang them at 5am then sat on msn waiting for the world to wake up so I could ask their advice.
My sister went into a complete flap and my friend 150 miles away, dad of 3, said oh you got ages yet

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:39

thanks bbensley, think i may ring them in a while, seem to have ceased a bit. much worse when i lie down

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coppertop · 25/05/2004 08:39

No advice but wishing you the very best of luck, Egypt. xx

Cam · 25/05/2004 08:40

Sounds like the start to me, I would want dh with me from now, especially as its your first, good luck!

bbensley · 25/05/2004 08:43

I kept moving cos it made things easier doing normal stuff. Also remember doing a cross stitch to take my mind off it whilst walking back and forth in the lounge trying to ignore my mil asking me every 10 mins if they were getting worse! The cross stitch hasn't been touched since funnily enough.

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:46

lol bbensley! so they can be mild enough to carry on? and i mean MILD. i think i must be imagining it sometimes, the last one at 8.41 lasted about 10 secs! and was in my back not stomach, although front was tight like a BH

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littlemissbossy · 25/05/2004 08:47

Sounds like the start to me as well ... if the contractions become more regular and stronger, I would give the labour suite a ring just to let them know to expect you at some point. I started with cramps, no show, no waters broken and this went on for a couple of days before they got stronger and then I knew I really was in labour. Good luck and keep us posted

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:51

will do. so could be here for the duration - ooo, there's another! 8.49 .....gone now. 10 secs! hmmph COME ON BABY! sort it out

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littlemissbossy · 25/05/2004 08:53

Egypt, try and keep moving, you and dh go for a walk if you can manage it

Helsbels · 25/05/2004 08:53

good luck Eygpt - next time you post it will be a 'baby Eygpt is here!' Hugs {{}}

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 08:59

bless you, i hope so. have had so many false starts i'm not sure that this isnt just another one

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bbensley · 25/05/2004 08:59

When I finally went into hospital they were every 5 mins lasting a minute if that helps. You will know when the time is right, honest. I'm a real pain wimp as well had everything offered

bbensley · 25/05/2004 09:01

A woman in my ante natal had them every 20 mins for a week!

Original poster
Egypt · 25/05/2004 09:02

ok - think i may get dressed and go for a walk - will post later
xxxxx thank you all xxxxxx

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Branster · 25/05/2004 09:03

sounds like you're in labour! phone (and go to ) the hospital. get some reassurance all is OK. Good luck!

Branster · 25/05/2004 09:03

what if your water break whilst you're on your walk?

bbensley · 25/05/2004 09:05

At least you will know its not a false start if they do

Toothache · 25/05/2004 09:25

GO EGYPT!! I didn't get any pain across the front of my tummy during labour, it was all in my back!

I think you're off..... about time too! That May thread is needing another graduate.

littlerach · 25/05/2004 09:26

My pains were in my back rather than front!!
Good Luck!!!