Pre-term labour? Signs&stories

[Becciilouisex3]

Hi MN,

I'm currently 30+1 with my first and very likely am overthinking but I've had some symptoms that I thought could possibly be pre-term labour signs however, they could very well be completely normal as it's my first I have no idea what is normal really!

I've had a relatively breezy pregnancy, bar the bad sickness that ended at 13 weeks- no major aches or pains just minor cramps and backaches but nothing that makes me hugely take notice, the usual stuff!

Since yesterday I have felt random shooting pains in my cervix and a sudden pressure in my pelvis/bottom. I've been peeing very frequently but have been for a good 3 weeks. Today I have had menstrual type cramps in my abdomen and back, radiating down my legs at times. Not agonising by any means but enough for me to take notice of and have to sort of breath through at points. It seems to last 20-30 minutes at a time with hours breaks in between though so not regular or in any sort of pattern as contractions are.

I just wondered, is this normal for my point in pregnancy and if anyone could shed any light on the symptoms of a pre-term labour and what symptoms I should call the midwife about as I don't want to cause a load of fuss about a false alarm so I'm just waiting to see what happens over the course of the next few days. Has anyone else gone into pre-term labour and how was it?

Are baby's movements still as regular as normal?

Honestly I would call maternity triage and get checked out. I had similar at 36 weeks and it turned out to be a water infection, pain just radiated right accross my back and down, my NCT lady thought I was in early labour, but thankfully I wasn't. Get checked out to rule out labour, particularly at your gestation.

Baby's movements seem to be as regularly as usual, maybe slightly higher kicks than usual, feeling them in my rib cage!

Thank you for the advice Dixie, I'm still feeling the pressure but haven't had any more pains for a couple of hours and all else seems relatively normal so I'll see how the night and tomorrow morning go! Hopefully it's just LO getting in the swing of things!

I'll second giving labour ward a call. My first was prem (completely different circumstances) so I'd always advise to get checked. Better to be over cautious. Hope alls well.

Hi all!

Just to keep you all informed, I went into triage this evening as I wiped some bloody discharge when going to the toilet as well as all the other stuff going on!

After some exams and a lot of waiting I'm still closed, not sure what the pains were I think they're putting it down to a really good practice run! Apparently I did experience a little bloody show but this can happen when your uterus stretches as well as before labour.

Told to keep an eye on it and if the pains get regular or blood becomes regular or heavy to go back in. Thank you for all of your help and let's hope LO can wait until he's due (or 7 more weeks at least!!) 

Glad to hear you got checked out and all is well. Hope baby stays put for a few more weeks.