34 weeks - early labour signs?

[JFly]

Sorry, I know us first timers have lots of "is this it" questions, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this at this early stage.

34+2 and have not experienced any BH to date. But last night, had a bit of a panic about some symptoms.

After a very full day of midwife, NCT, lunch out, etc. got home at 7pm and felt very crampy in my lower back - the famous "period-like pain". Had it pretty steadily until bed, with a few waves of stronger pain, sometimes from low abdomen round to low back. Seemed to come and go like that every 10-15 minutes.

Went to bed knackered and did my hypno CD at about 10pm. Woke up in the middle of the night (didn't check clock) with much stronger back cramps and walked around for a bit. Felt like I had a funny tummy and a bit nauseous. Squatted on bed and then felt even funnier. Had diarrhoea (TMI, sorry) then felt better. Went back to bed, but still had a bit of cramping felt until waking.

Felt pretty normal this morning, and have only had a couple twinges today, but it kind of freaked me out. Kept thinking it was pre-labour rather than BH, as haven't had any similar symptoms.

Anyone else had similar? Wondering if I just overdid it yesterday, or if body is gearing up for something serious!

There is no real way to say what it is or what it could be unless you were examined.

Contractions that are leading up to labour will get closer together and last for longer. You can get diarrhoea pre-labour too as your body 'clears out' but equally diarrhoea can make you have back and stomach pains but not be labour.

If the pains get stronger/closer together then call your midwife for reassurance.

I had diarrhoea and the funny cramps. with back pain. I was in labour at 33+5 weeks. Please go to the hospital if it starts up again.

Jfly - did you notice any fluctuation in your temperature. It may be that you just had an upset tummy and that in itself can cause contractions, but if the baby is not ready to come and the cervix is not primed, you can contract and contract and nothing come of it.

I went into hospital at I think 29 weeks (can't recall exact dates) and clearly on the monitors I was contracting every two minutes - it hurt slightly - I think I went in because I had very similar symptoms to you - and went on to be very overdue. Some women have irritable uteruses, but it doesn't mean the baby will come.

Also I found BH were VERY painful and I did think that they must be it several times.

If it returns call the midwife. If your gut feeling is that you did too much, then perhaps you are ready to slow down a bit.

Found my bh were bad on days where I either got overtired or had been poked & prodded a bit too hard for comfort by mw and hospital (often on the same day).

Upset tummy can be quite common in the last weeks since ligiments loosen & bh do squeeze everything as does the baby pressing, and that can lead to spasms similar to IBS.

Generally onset of labour indicated by full engagement of baby's head & bump drops (so you can rest your dinner on it) and a show/mucus plug.

But if worried talk to you mw

Thanks, all. Very helpful responses.

Can't say I noticed my temp at all, but seems sensible that upset tummy would cause similar symptoms. And the loosening up of ligaments - didn't think about that.

However, probably is BH given all my prodding by MW and other activity yesterday. Bump feels slightly lower, but MW didn't mention being engaged. So perhaps things are just moving in that direction.

Will definitely keep an eye on it and if symptoms return I will contact MW just in case. And definitely will take it easier - that is if I can get DH to get his butt in gear and do all the stuff I want done.

Thanks again!

You could have overdone it .... but equally this could be your body telling you this is the start of something.

Speaking from experience of a mum of 3, the first 2 at 40 weeks, the third at 36 weeks. Get your bags packed just in case !

Wonderful JFly. Look at it this way, if you rest now and have a good fortnight or three weeks, you could give birth happily at 37 weeks with no worries.

It may well be that your baby has settled down by the exit for the duration. You'll find yourself weeing more if this is the case. But hey, on the plus side you can eat and breathe again!