Unsure if I'm having contractions or not

[KillSwitch]

I'm 40+4 with my first. Had what my midwife called "a very good" stretch and sweep on Monday and she informed me I was 2cm dilated but my cervix was still 1cm thick. She booked me in for a 41 week appt for next Monday but said she wouldn't be surprised if I had the baby on the Monday night just gone - I didn't. I was very uncomfortable Monday night with aches and twinges but went to bed and woke up a couple of hours later feeling nothing at all. Yesterday I had no aches or pains at all but did pass my mucous plug. Today I've been getting strong twinges down below and have had a few period pain style cramps but as far as I can tell I'm not having contractions. I have not experienced BH at all with this pregnancy and although I occasionally feel like my belly is tightening, when I poke it feels like I have a layer of soft flesh then it's hard underneath if that makes sense? Also it doesn't seem to be going hard all over, just the top down to just below my belly button and then my lower abdomen stays soft. I honestly can't tell whether I'm having contractions or even if it's just baby moving I have a very high pain threshold as well and I'm worried I'll go into labour without even realising and not have time to get to the hospital (40 minutes away if it's a clear run).

It does sound like things might be starting to happen! Give the labour Ward a call. They'll tell you when you should go in.

I don't think you are having contractions. I have a very high pain threshold but lord I knew when I was having a contraction. They are more than "just" tightening " though I appreciate these are not pleasant.

Having said that start timing the frequency and length of them and observing their intensity. If they start to stop you in their tracks, you CS t do anything until they pass then Bob's your uncle.

Good luck and hope you have your baby very soon!

I had exactly the same. My first stretch and sweep left me with contraction style pains and I got hopeful for them to disappear as soon as I went to bed. So when I had my second stretch and sweep I was excepting the same. I had it at 11 am and by 2pm was getting the same contraction pains as before so didn't get my hopes up. They didn't get any stronger until 6pm and by 7pm one made me cry. I also have high pain threshold and wanted to hold off but husband called maternity unit at 7:20 and was asked to come in. Similar 30-40minute journey. Luckily we did leave then as my babies head was crowning in car, we arrived and he was here 7 minutes later!
All along I was waiting for one to make me cry so j knew it was happening but was nearly too late! I would recommend ringing and taking their lead.
(It was my second baby which they say come quicker and he was very large so had a lot of weight pushing down!)

Thanks guys :) the tightening I do feel is still very irregular so things may be happening but it's very slow. I'll certainly keep an eye on it and call the labour ward as soon as they seem to have more regularity to them as I'm also the type to put things off until I feel it's absolutely necessary and have a feeling if I try with this I'll end up giving birth on the side of the road!

You will know when you are having contractions!

I too have a very high pain threshold and the hospital were about to send me home as I was talking and nothing hurt very much. It started hurting a bit more (but still able to talk through the pain) so I asked if I could be looked at before going. Thankfully they did as I was 9.5cm. The very last contractions were unmistakably contractions but until those not even the doctor and midwives picked up that I was very close to delivery.

So... not everyone does know they're having contractions! My advice is, pay attention to the other signs aside from the pain such as the tightening etc and trust your instincts (especially if your hospital isn't very close by).

Good luck!