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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

What does the beginning of labour feel like??

19 replies

Clark20 · 08/05/2020 13:15

Hello!

Just looking for a bit of advice as driving myself insane and this is my first so don't know what to expect. I'm 37 +5 with a baby boy.

I have had period cramping for about 3 nights, just eventually goes. Nothing to really time and in the morning it's fine. Last night I took paracetamol before I slept as was more tender and cramping a bit already. And my mind set has been if it wakes me up from paracetamol then I know. Well 1am I did get woken up with bad period pain and shooting groin pains and felt like pressure like I needed to poop. It was more painful than normal. I had to sit up right to try and sleep and deep breathe as thought if this is the start I need sleep!! After about a hour I drifted off. Woke up this morning to a bit of cramps, constant pain in my side and groin pains. Toke paracetamol again. Still feel some aches and pains but nothing to alarm me. Baby is still moving this morning though feels more in my back/side.

Is this just all part of the last few weeks of pregnancy?? Or is this the start of labour?

Down below has been puffy for about a week now I'd say. And groin pains have been pretty constant for a week.... I never realised contractions can feel like period pains. I also get a sensation like I'm gonna pop down below too. Like the baby keeps hitting something and I'm gonna burst! And hurts enough for me to go "oh" 🤣 He's been head down and felt him quite low for a couple weeks.

People keep telling me "it's a boy and your first so will be late and it's nothing just rest"

But it certainly doesn't feel like nothing! But surely if it was contractions it would continue and be constant??? Anyway sorry for the rant! Just wanted to vent and see if I'm overthinking or not!

OP posts:
LouiseTrees · 08/05/2020 13:40

Contractions can start really far apart and get more closer together. It’s about how close these pain episodes are together you need to watch for.

Clark20 · 08/05/2020 13:55

Ok thanks. Can this last for weeks then?
I'm certainly feeling things on and off this afternoon but it's not intense or that painful. Just like a dull ache and the odd sharpness.

OP posts:
Pidgythe2nd · 08/05/2020 14:00

Mine started with a period pain feeling. Not bad at all. It builds and builds.
With my first it was stop start for 5 days but once it got properly started, pretty quick and intense. Not a sharp pain, felt like pressure, but very overwhelming - my waters hadn’t gone which was the pressure I think.
Was a different feeling with my daughter as the first sign was my waters going and then a gradual period pain feeling which got stronger and stronger.
My 3rd was unusual as I had a few very mild cramps and then full blown contractions within 5 mins. He was born 30 mins later. Quick but very painful!!

Clark20 · 08/05/2020 14:11

Oh wow!! So I'm not imagining it then. I keep getting really hot flushes the last few days too. And yes when the period pains are here I feel so much pressure below like I'm gonna pop. I'm very very emotional today too. Feel like I can't say anything to friends or family because they keep saying it's nothing as adamant I'm going to be late or nearer my due date. But I can't shake this feeling of something is starting and he's coming soon. But feel a bit crazy as I haven't had a baby before I don't really know!

OP posts:
Pidgythe2nd · 08/05/2020 17:26

Sounds like things are going in the right direction!

Biscuitsneeded · 08/05/2020 17:41

Sounds very promising. Especially the feeling very emotional - that was a sign for me both times. The other thing was feeling like somebody was trampolining on my cervix. Good luck OP.

CodenameVillanelle · 08/05/2020 17:45

People tell you it will be late because it's a boy??

I assumed mine would be late but he was dead on time. Sounds like contractions to me.

Clark20 · 08/05/2020 19:20

Yes.. because it's my first and boys are "always" late apparently. Literally all I am hearing from family is the above. Driving me nuts as I feel like i know my own body and something is going on... then thinking maybe all these pains and feelings are just in my head. I've got a lot of pressure and on and off period kinda cramps all day and achy back. Very very emotional. Spent 80% of the day trying not to cry over anything 😂 I hope it's soon as think if he's late I'll drive myself insane. But same time because it's my first I don't know if I'm just over analysing every pain/cramp...

Sorry to waffle on. Just nice to write on here instead of hearing "it's nothing, it's too soon, just rest" 🙄 just wanted some reassurance!

OP posts:
Clark20 · 08/05/2020 19:21

Thank you everyone ❤️

OP posts:
Bohomie · 08/05/2020 19:29

My first was early and a boy...
Contractions feel like period pains.

flissity · 08/05/2020 19:52

I am same as you (well 37+3) and it’s my third.
I’ve been getting painful Braxton hicks for ages now. They ache like period pain and obviously get the tightenings at same time. Also get the pressure down below and the shooting pains in crotch and on bladder 😫

But I won’t let myself over think these as my last 2 were nearly 2 weeks late and I don’t want to get my hopes up!!!

It’s so hard to know, but when it really happens you will definitely know for sure!

Porcupine83 · 08/05/2020 20:08

My first was a boy and was born at 36 weeks... not sure where your family got the idea that boys are always late? My waters broke, then period like cramps for a few hours, then proper contractions. I’m 34 weeks now with my second. Wondering if he will be early again (it’s another boy).
Anyway whatever you’re feeling, it’s not ‘nothing’. Hope it all goes smoothly for you 😊

India999 · 09/05/2020 11:58

I had period pains for 3 weeks and ended up getting induced (after 3 weeks of pains I was still 0cm dilated!) so it could be, but I'm told period pains/cramping is normal for a few weeks before.

Try not to read into everything, you'll drive yourself crazy. Trust me you will just know if it's contractions!!

Clark20 · 09/05/2020 22:47

Thank you! Defo been driving myself crazy.
In a better mindset today and just gonna ignore these aches and pains and have my mind set for due date. As you've rightly said I'll just know! Lockdown gives you too much time to overthink! Thanks everyone! ❤️

OP posts:
Whatshername20 · 10/05/2020 23:33

I spent weeks over analysing and trying everything until I resigned myself that he wasn't coming out (my first too). Lost my plug on the Monday and he was born on the Thursday but no definite build up.

Woke up with weird, sharp cramps early morning at 41+1.
Had to keep stopping what I was doing as it ramped up. Felt like being horribly, painfully constipated in back and bum which carried on getting stronger.
Good luck, definitely sounds like things are moving on!

FartnissEverbeans · 12/05/2020 16:56

Everyone said that about me too. ‘Oh, it’s your first, it’s probably Braxton Hicks’.

I had him at 37 weeks exactly. He was 7lbs!

Hodge85 · 20/05/2020 04:35

@Clark20 Hi, I was just wondering how you're getting on? Smile x

Clark20 · 23/05/2020 17:28

@hodge85 I am still very much pregnant!
Gah! Due date is Monday, so one more day. Haven't had much pains the last two nights. Whereas before that I had period pains and groin pains EVERY night! Lost a bit of my mucus plug week and half ago... and Tuesday and Wednesday this week I experienced lightening pains which were painful and thought it was waters breaking as so sudden and sharp and painful... but I'm still here! Everyday for the last week and half I've thought something was starting..... From Thursday I've given up caring 😅😅... and now in the denial stage and feel like I'm never going to give birth or have a newborn. Soooo don't want to get to 41 weeks or further... given up hoping to meet him soon!

OP posts:
okokokthen · 28/05/2020 15:19

How you doing now op? Have you had your baby boy? I've just read your thread as I'm now overdue (I was due a day after you by the look of things)

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