3 things just happened...

[Squtternutbosch]

I'be been having period pains for days (currently 39+3). This morning, all of a sudden, I had a wave of pain, then a gush of liquid, then a sudden and urgent..."emptying of the bowels".

The gush of liquid was clear with some thick-ish very pale yellow discharge. No blood. Since then (15 mins or so) I've had a couple of little twinges in my back but nothing else.

Does this sound like early labour or just that I needed a poo?! I don't have a midwife (not in the UK) and not really sure what to do as I don't want to just go to the hospital if not necessary.

Sounds like it could be the start op :)

Labour by the sounds of it! Give the midwife a ring

Could be.

If you think the gush of liquid might have been the waters breaking, best to ring the hospital and get that checked out. There's a risk of infection to the baby if the waters break too far in advance of the baby being born.
And waters breaking doesn't necessarily mean spontaneous labour is imminent - with DS1, there was a full week between my waters breaking and labour starting.

Hmph, well it's been 2 hours and nothing. No more contraction-type feelings, no more leakage, nothing. So probably just pain because I needed a poo, and perhaps the liquid was just normal discharge pushed out a bit forceully because...well because I needed a poo.

Wow, this is a serious TMI thread, sorry everyone!

Sigh. Trooping on. Thanks everyone!

Giant urgent poo was the first sign of labour with DS1. Good luck!

My waters broke with my second and the contractions were painless at first. Feel your stomach - is it tightening?