Help! Anyone about? I thought/think I was in labour but now I'm not so sure.....

[fluffyslippers]

Can anyone give me some advice?

It was my due date yesterday. Started with mild pains in the morning that didn't amount to anything.

At 8.45pm last night started have regular contractions (about every 10 mins) - strong lower back pain and cramping on lower bump. This continued, when I went to bed at midnight I felt damp in my knickers, went to loo and when I got up and was changing my undies started leaking fluid. Went straight back onto loo and had what I think was a show - clear discharge streaked with blood. Contractions were continuing every 7-8 minutes.

Called hospital as I wasn't sure if my waters were leaking or if it was just a show - they seem to think it was a show as there wasn't enough fluid to be waters. Told me to take parecetamol, try and rest and to put a pad in to see if it got soaked...

So, went to bed at 1am and had contractions every 7 minutes or so until 3am-ish when I must have dropped off. Contractions stopped, but awoke at 4.30 in pain, but nothing regular since. Pad has not been soaked, it's just a bit damp. Thing is the pain is bad enough to stop me sleeping, so only had just over 1 hours sleep all night.

Now it's 5.30am and I've only had a couple of contractions in the past hour - seems like things have stopped/slowed. Not sure if this is a false alarm or what.... Not sure if hubby should go to work at 7am (he works about 45 mins drive away).

Any ideas or advice?

Sorry, can't offer any advice, as not been through labour yet, but as am up early thought I'd wish you well - sounds like things are happening even if they're (hopefully temporarily) delayed. Hope things get going again soon, and all goes smoothly from then on.

Sorry it is a while since you posted, so things may have sorted themselves out. In my case my waters broke 3 days before the birth and the whole labour kept starting and stopping. Not saying that will be the case for you, but my advice is try to stay and home and forget about it until you absolutely can't! Try to rest and keep your strength up, maybe eat something even if you don't feel like it. It would be nice if dh didn't go to work if he can stay with you anyway. Good luck.

Def sounds like something is happening. If your DH needs to go to work he prob should - you will know when things become more intense to phone him and if he is forwarned he can come straight away.

Good luck!

This does sound like the start of labour, but it may not get into full swing for several hours. I wouldn't let your hyusband go to work. Is this your first?

Get up and walk around to try and get things going again

Oh and don't let your dh go to work!

he should not go to work !

sounds like a show and a hindwater leak..all in all baby could be imminent....

potter about, rest when you can, eat and drink lightly, and just wait....nipple stim can keep the contractions coming and strengthen them, or just wait for your body to do its thing!

sounds like a false alarm,but don;t think the real thing will be too far away !

try having a bath, might help you relax, and take the edge off so you can sleep a bit

Thanks for the responses, this is my first baby and I just don't know if this is the real thing or not.
Ummm, DH has gone to work, I told him too cos the regularity of contractions is less frequent than during the night.
He will turn around and come back as soon as I need him, but I couldn't justify him not going and then him losing pay/days paternity (he's a teacher so can't take holiday).
I do have a birth doula lined up who I am keeping in touch with and who'll meet me at hospital (or come here if I need her).
I'm going to try and get some sleep/rest as I'm shattered already and goodness knows how many hours/days/weeks this will go on for!

fair dos ! your doula will give you the support you need, and at least if things pick up, she can be with you while you wait for DH ! good lcuk x