Preterm labour at 36 weeks or braxton hicks?

[springbaby22]

I'm exactly 36 weeks today and have started with period like pains yesterday. However the tightening feels like they are coming frequently ( not timed them but seems like a pattern there).

This is dc3 and honestly don't remember much regarding preterm labour pains like this as it's been a while since the last one. I think this is how my labours started. I've also been having very loose stools (sorry tmi) and have the urge to push for relief.

I've my heart set on a water birth again but seeing the midwife today she says even if a baby is an hour before due date they won't allow a water birth. It was amazing for pain relief last time.

I've been doing hypnobirthing and feel like all that might go out the window but trying to stay calm and breathe through.

Any words of encouragement and support would be so appreciated.

I know it’s anecdotal, but my middle one was born at 36+0, it was a planned home birth. He was born 6lb 9oz (pretty impressive for that gestation really), breastfed like a champ from the get go, had no problems with his breathing or temperature regulation etc.

And as for not allowing certain things - all you can do is reiterate what you want, ask for the stats/medical evidence why they are recommending against what you want in the circumstances - it is your right to make an informed decision on absolutely everything…hence why I chose to birth my slightly prem baby at home. My eldest had been super quick labour and birth, so I decided I’d rather have my baby at home in the warm rather than on the side of the road in late October in a rush to make it to the hospital.

I’d go and get checked out.

Tightenings and diarrhoea were how my preterm labour started. The tightenings were clearly contractions but because I didn’t have them with my first I tried to convince myself it was BH.

My DD was born at 36+4 and was little and jaundiced for a bit but absolutely fine within a couple of weeks.

I wanted a water birth but they wouldn’t allow me to. In the end my labour was fairly easy anyway, well compared to number 1. So hopefully you’ll find similar.

@PotatoGoblins

I know it’s anecdotal, but my middle one was born at 36+0, it was a planned home birth. He was born 6lb 9oz (pretty impressive for that gestation really), breastfed like a champ from the get go, had no problems with his breathing or temperature regulation etc.

And as for not allowing certain things - all you can do is reiterate what you want, ask for the stats/medical evidence why they are recommending against what you want in the circumstances - it is your right to make an informed decision on absolutely everything…hence why I chose to birth my slightly prem baby at home. My eldest had been super quick labour and birth, so I decided I’d rather have my baby at home in the warm rather than on the side of the road in late October in a rush to make it to the hospital.

What symptoms did you have prior to going into labour? Had you had your risk assessment for a homebirth? I feel like they'll use policies and procedures to deter me. Midwife said I'd have to go into hospital before 37 and no homebirth.

@Hermymee

I’d go and get checked out.

Tightenings and diarrhoea were how my preterm labour started. The tightenings were clearly contractions but because I didn’t have them with my first I tried to convince myself it was BH.

My DD was born at 36+4 and was little and jaundiced for a bit but absolutely fine within a couple of weeks.

I wanted a water birth but they wouldn’t allow me to. In the end my labour was fairly easy anyway, well compared to number 1. So hopefully you’ll find similar.

Did dd have to stay in hospital? I might have to ring triage if it gets worse. So anxious. Also did you have lots of monitoring?

Yes, I’d had my home birth risk assessment a few days beforehand.
I rang to tell them I was in labour. They noted the gestation and told me I’d need to go in and they wouldn’t be sending a midwife out. I said I’d be staying at home, midwife or no midwife - I was happy to freebirth if necessary. Midwife arrived within the hour.

As for signs and symptoms before labour - if had the shits about 48hrs prior, same as I had with DC1 but didn’t think much of it at the time. Then I had a few braxton hicks that were stronger than normal in the evening. ExH and I went to bed and DTD then I woke up around 4am with regular tightenings. Woke ExH around 7am telling him baby was en route. DS ended up being born at 2:45pm after a really smooth, textbook labour. He was out in literally 2 or 3 pushes.

@springbaby22 She was in a week as she had to have phototherapy and feeding was tricky as she was so sleepy.

I went in thinking I’d be checked over and sent home but I’d had her within a few hours.

Honestly get checked out. Even if it's nothing. Better to be safe than sorry.

My little one was born at 34 weeks. No warning. Waters broke 44 hours before I went into labour though. No time in nicu just a heat lamp and antibiotics. Let home when she was 5 days old