Anybody about? I think this is it but don't quote me...

[bananabump]

Hiya, finally think this might be real labour (contractions started 4am monday but were irregular and crap until last night)

Had a bit of a bloody show at midnight and have been awake but trying to sleep ever since. Contractions are kinda regular, averaging at about 6 or 7 mins, lasting about 45 seconds to a minute. The pain isn't horrendous yet I'm breathing through it.

When do you think I should call the hospital to give them a heads up?

Early labour mistakes Hang in there, try to get some sleep tonight!

Thnaks Klaw, the daft thing is I've had that page bookmarked for weeks but because the contractions are painful (now getting very sharp and making me swear lots) and because the show was bloody, I thought this had to be it.

I will take your advice though, m'dear. I doubt they'll let me go to hospital yet anyway, and I'm better off at home where I can jump in the bath and snack as much as I want to. Just dreading when dp goes to sleep cos I might not be able to and I'll be alone and in pain all night again. bah

Bananabump, go to bed, contractions should tail off. If they don't and get stronger, then you will be in labour!

Actually, have you got a good mirror you can look at your bump in?

When the contractions push it in from the sides, and the top flattens off and pushes bump out so that it looks more like you've got a shoebox under your skin, THEN you are having real contractions! According to Jean Sutton of OFP fame. she says that until then your body is doing all the pre labour stuff and you must keep to as normal a day as possible, eating, drinking, sleeping, etc, DON'T be timing the contractions, no clock watching! Cover them...

My body did this to me for 2 whole weeks before ds was born.

When I finally went to the labour ward I was 9cm dilated!! So it was a nice short labour for me

Have a sleeo bananabump & conserve your energy for the labour

You're absolutely right, I'm putting contractionmaster to bed, I've been staring at it since 6am.

Unfortunately belly is too fat to really see the contours change. What I am feeling is a rolling sensation during some contractions when it goes from the top down to the bottom ending in a really sharp pain in my fanjo. Some contractions aren't that bad though.

I'm going to go to bed soon, thanks for your advice.

How exciting! Best of luck to you xx

Good luck bananabump!

ah ha bananbump i left a post in pregnancy asking if anyone had seen you lol here you are, how the midwife kick started my contractions was by making me kneel infront of a chair with legs wide open so babys head moves down....

try that the pains got really bad and i dialated from 3 to 7 in an hour

cheers for the tip iliketosleep! I'm off to bed now to attempt to get some sleep, but if I can't I'll try that one and let you know how I get on!

Hope you're doing ok by the way! How far along are you now? Have you had your scan yet?

quick "good luck" msg from me - I'm off on hols tomorrow, looking forward to getting back to a host of baby announcements.

yeah i had a scan in solihull last friday i am 6+3

Guys have a look at the Aug07 antenatal thread...... BB has finally popped!

Congratulations Bananbump!

Ooooh bananabump - brilliant news - many many congratulations on banana baby

Thanks guys! Cheers for all the advice, I really appreciate it, I was pretty clueless! xxx