Exhausted and Confused!

[JBCG]

I have been having lots of Braxton Hicks for several weeks but on Sunday they really ramped up in intensity and frequency. On Monday morning I called the midwife after I had still been experiencing these contractions and had also been sick / had diarrhoea (sorry TMI). They were still very irregular but were painful enough that I couldn't talk through them.

I went up to be checked out and was told that I was definitely contracting but my Fetal fibronectin swab test came back negative (I think it was 0.3% chance of delivery within 7 days) and cervix was firmly shut and long. They asked me to keep an eye on it and call back if it got any worse.

Nothing really changed, I was still having irregular but painful contractions until Thursday, where I had an extremely upset stomach and could barely get out of bed all day. The contractions were intense and painful but again irregular. I called up again and they said that I could possibly just have a stomach bug so not to come in but again keep an eye on it.

Fast forward again til today and they became more regular (every 7 minutes lasting 40-50 seconds) for about an hour and a half but then have completely slowed down again and are irregular.

I'm 34+6 today and haven't had any other labour signs (no loss of plug or waters breaking) other than a persistent dull back ache. I'm absolutely exhausted from not sleeping all week and just so confused as to what is going on.

This is DC2, my waters went spontaneously then I was induced at 38+4 due to meconium in them with DC1 so I never experienced the latent phase of labour. How long can this go on for? Do you think I ought to call up again or just wait it out?

Thanks in advance! x

I was having contractions like these over two weeks before I gave birth. First time I was checked at 35 weeks it's was all closed but when I was checked again a few days later I was almost 3cm. I was waiting another week before the baby came. I had to really badger to get seen as it was just before 1st lockdown and they were very dismissive.

If you're worried insist on being checked out. Always trust that's instinct. X

@DanceWithYourBalloon thank you! When you did go into established labour (if you don't mind me asking) what were the signs? Did your contractions just get more regular or did you have other symptoms?

I lost my plug in a big way one morning in the shower. Then over the course of the next two days the contractions started getting more and more regular until they were 4 mins apart. Got to the hospital and I was 6cms.

I was 37 weeks on the dot when I gave birth too.

I'd get checked out and try to get as much rest as you can.
I managed to relax a bit by taking a deep, warm bath and just tried to read to take my mind off it a bit. X

I have been spending as much time as I can in the bath over the last few days and it has definitely helped with the pain.

I suppose until my plug goes or water breaks or they become very regular .. there isn’t really much to do other than wait. I just need to try and rest. I'm torn between desperately wanting this to be over and just to have my baby and wanting him to wait a few more weeks! I don't know if I have it in me for this to carry on for another few weeks though - I'm so exhausted after one!

@JBCG
How are you getting on? X

No real change unfortunately! I'm still having contractions and have a lot of pressure very low down but nothing is really progressing further than that and no other signs.

I think I'm just accepting they this is how I am going to feel for the final few weeks of this pregnancy!

Thank you for checking in! x

I am so sorry that you feel like this,it really sucks.Especially when due date is looming but it's not exactly there yet.
I had the same issue with strong BH for weeks before my youngest DC arrived,pressure in my pelvis etc.
The positive about is however,that if you have lots of strong BH it means that your uterus is gearing up in advance long before proper labour starts and in some cases means short labour.
It was for me and after those annoying pains for weeks I had 1 hour labour from 1st contraction to delivery of the baby.
I know it is a frustrating combination of being huge,uncomfortable and in pain and we are really impatient about getting to due date or at least to reach 37 weeks but you will get there.I think if you try to relax a little bit,you will feel better.
Unless you are bleeding,leaking amniotic fluid,notice change in the baby movement or develop some symptoms that seem odd then you will be fine.
Good luck.