Are these contractions?

[Shefliesonherownwings]

Since Tuesday this week I've had loads of pressure in my pelvis. Midwife confirmed same day that baby was engaged but after a sweep she said that my cervix was posterior and high and she couldn't move it. Been doing lots of swiss ball bouncing and a few other things and this morning woke up about 5 with what felt like cramps but all in my abdomen. No pain in my back at all. Before this I'd had no signs of labour, no BH, no loss of plug, no diarrhoea, just a bit of lower back ache. I'm 40+4 today.

About 8am I had a bloody show, so figured these cramps might be contractions. Am still having them now, I dont think they are BH as they are painful and don't ease off if I change position. They see now about 15 mins apart but they are totally irregular in length and intensity and all the pressure is in my abdomen and pelvis. Nothing at all in my back, plus it's not as bad as I thought. I'm in the bath and have been for a walk so am managing ok although I know this is still early. Does this sound like the real deal or could it still be a false alarm? This is my first.

Does your bump tighten/go hard at the time of the contraction? If so I think it's go time. Good luck!

Id describe them like period pains. Mine where all over the place for 12 hours then my waters broke and 3 hours later i had a baby lol

It does feel like period pains but in my lower abdomen rather than back. Bump feels hard all th time so can't tell if it is going harder during or not!

Well, since you're overdue I'd say yes they're likely to be contractions! But this type of contraction could go on for days in my experience. Or of course it could ramp up quickly. Good luck!

Yup sounds like contractions. They'll probably get stronger and more frequent over the next few days (or hours even!). I'd be putting my hospital bag in the car boot or in the hallway just in case...

Still here and at home. Got the tens on and got to 5 minutes apart about an hour ago. Rang the hospital who said to wait for 3 in 10 minutes and typically now they have slowed back down to about 7 minutes. Really hope this doesn't go on for days, am fed up already.

I was induced with my first, and the only pain I got was period pains. Started off quite mild but over a couple hours became sooo painful, but still all period pain. Nothing in my back, and tbh i didnt realise they were contractions!

Fingers crossed for you that this is it!

This is it. Went to the hospital last night who confirmed I'm in labour, cervix effaced, but only 1.5cms dilated so we came home again. Now in hour 29 of labour.

Sending you lots of moral support. I've been there with a labour like this, it is bloody awful. Keep the faith and take an epidural when you need to xx

Keep moving around. When you feel a contraction, lean on something like a door, wall, worktop and keep rocking back and forth, breathing in just before and then slowly out until the contraction is finished. I found this helped speed things up and just relaxing as anxiety can slow things down. Best of luck!