What was early labour like for you....

[sunshinevalentine]

I have had regular period cramps since 8am this morning - around every 5 minutes for
around 40ish seconds each. I haven't had any back ache, a show or leaked any water.

I had a bath this afternoon that calmed the cramps a lot but they have returned since getting out but not as regular. I'm 40 weeks today - could this be real labour or is it false labour? I don't want to get my hopes up that this is it but I can't help but wonder!

I was 40+2 when my early labour started - it was exactly like you’re describing, I started experiencing regular but mild period-like cramps that progressively got longer and stronger as time went on. I started experiencing these cramps on a Monday night at 9pm about 10minutes apart and 20-30 seconds long and had my daughter on the Wednesday at 4:30pm.
The only thing that have me relief was getting in the bath! Congratulations - it sounds like the little one could be making an appearance soon!

All 3 of mine started with back pain and lower abdominal cramps- a hot shower was good for the back pain. I stayed at home until they were really established even managed to sleep for a few hours with Ds1. My waters broke at home with Ds1 but broke later on in hospital with the other 2.

How are you getting on OP?

Mine woke me up at 5.15am with a random crampy sensation on and off. Was fairly okay to go about getting in the shower but it would get stronger, sometimes after a bit of a gap. Nothing else other than that, it was more of a sharp feeling in my back/bum.

Waters didn't break until really quite far on in established labour and had a bloody show just after being examined to see how far on I was. Estimated 5cm in hospital at around 2pm, baby born at 4.13pm, didn't even have time for pain relief 😅

My waters broke pretty spectacularly but I didn’t go into labour until nearly a day later. It was just a really uncomfortable feeling at the start like I couldn’t get comfy or settle. Then back pain and a cramping feeling but it was inconsistent and didn’t really kick off for 12ish hours after that, progressed very slowly building up gradually.