am I in labour?

[Badgerncub]

I'm 34 weeks and woke at about 1am to strong period like pains- going on for a couple of minutes at a time. I'm still awake and they're still happening. About 3-4 in each hour. Baby's moving a lot. Don't know what to do. Haven't even woken up dh as would rather not make a fuss! Help ! Getting scared.

Have you got a triage number you can call?

Keep calm! It's probably not but if it is then it can be delt with!

I have the women's hospital number. I was going to give it another hour and hope it's bh. I've not had bh at all that I've noticed and the cramps seem to be dying down now.

Not sure of best advice - only what i would do in your shoes. If you are concerned the best thing to do is give the maternity unit a ring - they are the best people to advise you re labour although it may well just be braxton hicks.

You also say baby is moving a lot - are those movements normal for you? A normal amount of movement? If not then definitely give the maternity / labour and delivery unit a ring sooner rather than later - increased movement should also be watched out for as well as reduced movement.

This happened to me every single night from 38 weeks with DC2. I was woken by strong and fairly regular contractions, but then they fizzled out by morning.

She was born at 40+2 after a quick and very manageable drug-free water birth. I'm convinced those nighttime contractions were my body's way of warming up for the real thing, making it much easier when labour did come.

By contrast,with DC1, I had just the usual irregular Braxton Hicks. His birth was very long and difficult.

It could be labour, mine started quite similarly at 38 weeks. My midwife said if I got more than 4 strong BH in an hour to phone maternity assessment, but I can't remember if this was meant to be earlier in the pregnancy as I had them from 20 weeks.

I would ring maternity assessment anyway as you are not full term, just to be on the safe side.

Any update? X

Thanks for advice everyone. Phoned midwife and she said see how I go. Did keep cramping last night and only got q couple of hours sleep. Went to work and was just pretty uncomfortable when walking all day- I do think the baby's moved lower. Just had a long bath and hoping I'll get some rest tonight. It's odd because it sort of feels like stomach upset but I don't think it is! X