Labour stopping and starting! What is this?!

[JellycatElfie]

I’m 2cm dilated, cervix soft and ‘centre’ and was having tightenings on the ctg monitor today. But no real pains. Then for an hour earlier on I had awful back pain, proper tummy cramps into my legs and hardening of my belly.. I lay down for 10 mins with a hot water bottle clamped to my back and it’s gone off. But every time I stand or walk it comes back?! This is my second pregnancy and I don’t know what to expect as my first was different to this. Any advice? The midwife earlier said she expected me to be in labour by tomorrow if not sooner but I don’t know if I’m getting ahead of myself..

I was like that for days before they became more regular and frequent but they always say the second is quicker. Just try and get some rest now though cause you might be woken in the middle of the night ready to go! Good luck!

It’s been 48 hours now! This is real torture - I’m so uncomfortable and bored and can’t go anywhere or do anything. It’s started again now and my back is in agony!

I’ve had similar for days now. This is number 2 for me too and I thought I would have had this baby by now as ds was born at 37+4 and I’m now 38+5.
I’ve gone from strong Braxton Hicks to BH with cramping in the evenings, but they always ease off over night then I’m fine by the morning.
Just want this baby to be born now. I’m booked in for a sweep on Monday then an induction next Saturday if I last that long. I never thought I’d get that far, but with all this stop-start nonsense It’s looking likely that I will

Thinking back to my NCT class oxytocin will keep labour progressing but adrenaline will halt or delay it. Therefore you need to try not to get too stressed as this will cause you to produce adrenaline. If you eliminate sources of stress the best you can and instead create a relaxing, peaceful environment this may help you.

Thanks both for your replies!

I had my first sweep with my first pregnancy at 39+6 and went into labour the following evening. But I had these sorts of pains and aches for the two days.
I had a sweep yesterday at 38+5 and the midwife did another rummage around today. I’m having ?? Braxton Hicks or contractions every 5-7 minutes but I’m not climbing the walls with them, just uncomfortable with pains down my legs. I’m anxious because I dilated super quickly after my waters broke last time..

My third was like this. I was at an event (that I couldn’t get out of) having mild contractions, thinking baby would be making an appearance, but they stopped. Then started again the next day, then stopped etc. Dc3 was born 5 days after the ‘event’. When they did an internal she wouldn’t keep her head still, it was rotating back and forth a lot (not engaged) and the midwife said it could have been she couldn’t figure out how to get out. Once she figured it out, labour was pretty quick though!

I’m now having tightenings and pains every 4-6 minutes. The pains are going into my legs and back, but I’m not unbearably in agony. I do feel really sick though. I’m not sure when I’m supposed to call the hospital!

If your labour progressed very fast once your waters broke for your first baby, I would call now. Err on the side of caution bitter experience

I’ve just phoned and explained but they’ve said wait an hour and call back. Which is what I expected! They said ‘well your waters haven’t broken yet have they’ so now I feel really dumb! I have come to bed with my hot water bottle. Going to lie down and see if the pain goes off at all.

How are things now OP? Hope you have a lovely squeezy baby in your arms.