Is this labour??

[K1999]

So, I started having contractions (no pain in my belly just back and super tight belly) I thought they were just braxton hicks so I paid no attention, until they kept coming back and had a rhythm to them. I started timing them and they were roughly 6 minutes apart lasting for a little under a minute. Then they spread out to 8-10 minutes apart and now they've just stopped. Was that braxton hicks?? FTM here..

How many weeks are you? Could well be labour but everything could stop again.....

Sorry I've just re read - it has all stopped! This could go on for a couple of days if you are getting close to your time.

Sounds like BH to me. Labour usually starts in your back. If you aren’t sure call the Labour Ward for advice

I'm just over 37 weeks so wasn't expecting this yet!
I did think 'I bet this goes on for a couple of days!'. @Sontagsleere

@GrumpyHoonMain that's the only place I've been having pains is my bad. And my legs too weirdly

Ah ok call the labour ward then and good luck!

Yes, that's what labour has been like for me both times. It took ages though so you might have a while yet. I'd try and rest unless you need to be in hospital early for any reason. You'll wake up if it ramps up.

@GrumpyHoonMain @BertieBotts thank you! I think I'm going to get some sleep because if it is I'm gonna need all the rest I can get!

Sounds like 'warm up' labour, which might last a few days, on and off. It's your body getting ready - good luck!

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue thank you :) does it not sound like just braxton hicks to you then? Obviously I've never had a baby before but I have had braxton hicks a few times and this was completely different! I had loads whereas I usually have 2/3

How's it going this morning K1999? (I'm not an expert, by the way, just remember experiencing this myself.)

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue I've not had anything so far! He's definitely moved down though. So confusing isn't it? It's not like I'm in a rush to get him out as my due dates not til 13th of May so I would like him to stay in there til after the review of the lockdown!

Hi @K1999 - the key to knowing if they are 'real' contractions, i.e. the start of labour, is if they get stronger and longer, and more frequent. However I don't recommend trying to time them - just get on with life, rest, sleep, eat, have fun, snuggle, watch a funny film, spend time in the garden etc. You'll soon notice if things are ramping up.

@theplymouthdoula thank you that's good advice :)

@k1999 hi I've just seen your post whilst looking for advice as I'm 37 weeks and had some bh, just wondered if your little one is here yet?

@babyt2020 he is, he was born on May 4th 😊 I was in something called latent labour. It can last a short while or take you even past your due date!
What are you feeling?

@k1999 yay that's brilliant congratulations!! What was your birth like if you don't mind me asking? I'm doing the positive birth company's hypnobirthing course and I really want to try and avoid an epidural if possible due to back problems, I'm just wondering if all this 'breathe your baby out' is humanly possible! 🤷‍♀️🤣

I've been needing to poop 💩 around 4/5 times a day for the last 2 days, this is unheard of for me, I generally go twice a week, if that! Then on Sunday I had my first tightenings, only about 3, not painful but very intense. I then had about 5 hours where I had stomach and backache which was a cross between having a bad tummy and moderate period pains.

To be honest it's all stopped now! I don't want baby to come early but I couldn't help get excited when I thought it was starting!

Congratulations again on ur bambino, what name did you choose? 👶🥰

@babyt2020 well, I could lie to you and tell you it was fine but I really struggled!
So my waters broke just before 1am, we got to the hospital and discovered he pooped inside so he had to come out. My contractions really picked up and were almost unbearably painful at 2cm. I planned on having no pain relief at all, I ended up having morphine first as I had to wait an hour for the epidural. I was out of it on morphine but don't regret it as I was really struggling. Once I had the epidural it was an amazing experience! I started enjoying it.
His heart rate kept dropping so I was induced as it was progressing quickly enough. They checked me at 4cm and said if I haven't got to 6cm in a couple of hours I was going to have a c section. They checked me in 2 hours and I was 9!
Once I was 10cm I had to start pushing. They gave me 3 hours to push, but I pushed him out in 20 minutes! Left me with 3 tears one being second degree but better that than a c section!
Honestly, you can't plan for it you really can't. I had an all natural birth planned that would be simple and straight forward and it just wasn't at all! Be open to pain relief because it's like nothing you've ever felt before!

That all sounds like your body is preparing! Good luck with everything and please come back and let me know how you got on 😊

My boys called Archer x