Pre-labour... how long does it last???

[aikigypsy]

OK, so I know that there's no real answer to this question, but I've been having very mild contractions about every 10 minutes or so for the past... 18 hours. I slept pretty well, they're mostly just like moderate period cramps.

Is this pre-labour? Early labour? Just a big tease??? I am feeling like it's about time to get the show on the road. I think 2 more weeks of this would drive me insane (EDD is today!)

awwww mate - i feel your pain!

No advice though, I had on-off pains for 3 weeks before DD2 was born, but nothing as regular as you are describing.

Fingers crossed LO makes an appearance soon - Nov thread needs more babies!

Keep us posted xxx

try a sugary drink, lucozade or raspberry leaf tea and honey

try to get on with things and not pay too much attention, things will get going, or they won;t and waiting anxiously for each contraction won;t help!

just relaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax

and try sex and nipple stim

was waiting for you to pop up on here lulu!

(quick question about RLT - i hate honey, so have just been putting sugar in - will it change the effect?!)

no , not at all, honey is a bit more slow release than white sugar, so better for sustained energy boost

you can sip it throughout labour

thanks!!!

Roll on things kicking off for us all properly!!!

Was up from 1.45am til 4.20am this morning with on-off pains and im not deu for another 2 weeks!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR - sex and nipple stim it is tonight!!! (DH will be happy!)

were the girls on time?

Thanks. I know I shouldn't obsess but it's hard not to! I'll have some pineapple juice or something since I don't have RL tea on hand, and maybe walk around the neighborhood. Sadly, I am not at all in the mood for sex -- just too crowded down there at the moment.

Another twinge.

a walk is a good idea, don;t tire yourself out though!

lol at crowded down there!

Labour is regular (timed to the clock) and usually painful contractions.

I have had a labour that was regular but not painful - and it was a real labour.

I've had painful, but not regular - and it was classed as a 'long latent phase'.

A long latent phase can last for many days, so don't hold your breath. The key thing is regular, IME. If it's every 10 minutes, don't bother registering it. Wait until it is every 4-5 minutes, with at least a 45s duration.

DD1 induced a week early
DD2 3 days late

Just feeling more and more uncomfortable this time, loads of twinges and tightenings.... not getting my hopes up though! Just want him OUT!

Aigi - get stomping.... up and down stairs etc but try to rest too, and EAT! I made the mistake of not eating with DD2 (last meal was lunch and she was born at 12.15am)

bet you cannot wait to meet your boy ! i know it is impossible, but try to rest if you can, eat well, and wait for his arrival

Fingers crossed for you Aiki.

Jarm - you are FORBIDDEN to have your baby before me!!

I've been getting tightenings alot lately too. Hope this is a sign!! Lulu can you clarify?

not sure if i experienced the same thing as you but i had very mild contractions for 3 days before my ds was born. They built up to about every 30 mins but i managed to sleep through them. Then my waters broke and i went straight to every 5 mins and i went to hospital almost immediately and was 8cm dilated by then.

Hope your pains get you that far, without them being too painful

Good luck

RGP - NO NO NO NO NO! Im due BEFORE you!!!

I will have this baby before my due date - I will.... I have to or I may go insane!!!

Jarm - you're due ONE DAY before me. Step in line, sistah!!

LOL

Ill still be waiting in december, i just know it - boys are stubborn arent they!!!

lol dunno Jarm. DS came at 37 weeks!

I went in for a labour assessment and it's not the real thing yet. Only 1 cm dialated, and they say it could be any time in the next... week. Agrh! I hope it's on the sooner end of things!

with both my dd's i had about 12 hours worth of pre labour. fairly regular contractions (about 10/20 mins apart) and uncomfortable enough so i couldnt sleep but not so they were painful iykwim. they were different from braxton hicks as they didnt stop after an hour. its a bugger but baby will come out eventually. someone please remind me of this in 4 mths time when im on here whinging about how long my pre labour is lasting

Everything petered out yesterday, so now I'm back to the regular waiting and scheduled for a non-stress test and ultrasound at EDD+10, if the LO hasn't found her way out by then.