Early labour questions

[KelaS]

Hi all.

My waters broke last night (finally - 40+8!!). No contractions though, went to hospital, was monitored, all fine, came home and tried to go back to bed. However, I started having pains - don't think they are contractions as they feel more like (bloody painful) period pains, down low under my bump, and tend to coincide with lots of baby movements. Also I mostly only get them when I am lying down or standing up - sitting upright tends to stop them.

Of course, being a first timer I have lots of questions about all this - hope someone can help!!

Am I right in thinking that these pains aren't contractions?

Will I know when I actually start with the 'real' contractions?

TMI alert - waters are still leaking, but now I am getting some thickish white discharge as well, and in the last hour or so, either that or the waters has gained a slight pinkish tinge - I assume this is ok?

And finally, would I be ok to have a bath while waters are leaking - should have asked at the hospital really but wasn't thinking that far ahead at the time (well it was 4am!!).

Like I said, any advice welcome, and keep your fingers crossed for me that something more starts to happen soon or they will be inducing me tomorrow evening.

no, no bath. risk of infection.

the pains sound like pre-labour pains, i had mine all in my back.

yes, it will be obvius when you are in real labour, tight contractions rising to a peak then dying off. regular intervals and lengths, get a clock with a second hand.

not sure about discharge but waters are typically a light pinky colour. ring MW if concerned.

Fingers crossed!!

Thanks for the quick reply!! Thought that's what the pains were - I am having some in my back too, forgot to mention that.

Had almost given up on labour starting naturally, at least things are looking a bit more positive now!!

Those are def early labour pains but sounds like you still have a bit of way to go before established labour begins.

Having a bath is okay and will actually help the pains. Have a couple of paracetamol and RELAX.

Good Luck, baby will be with you soonxxxx

Sounds like you're in early labour . Make sure you remmeber to eat and drink, potter about a bit, take some paracetemol and keep an eye on the clock if they seem to be getting more regular. Good luck

Sounds like you are in labour and i would go have bath, no midwife ever told me i couldn't have bath whilst in labour or waters broken, they actually encourage it when in hospital it will help with the back pain. The pink tinge may be part of show, which is normal take it easy but try to keep moving around it could help move things along and gravity will make it easier, get something to eat piece of toast or something..good luck chick!!

Kela -stop worrying, labour will start. Best thing to do is carry on as normal and try not to concentrate on every twinge in case it might be the start of things. Active labour has a tendency to make itself known without you having to think about it.

Have a rest, a shower, some food and drink. Your time is near but not yet upon you (although you haven't posted for some time, maybe you are cuddling your baby by now)

Good luck!

Hi all

Just a quick update - went into hospital for monitoring this afternoon as planned and although the first midwife (in the day assesment unit) was worried about baby's heartbeat (gets v fast when baby moves, which it was doing a lot), the midwives on delivery suite were happy and I came home a little while ago. Getting really bad period-type pains/back pain all the time pretty much now, but still no pains in my actual bump, so think (and midwives agreed) that this isn't contractions, just early labour pains. So am sitting as still as possible in the one position that doesn't hurt! Will go for a bath in a bit as the midwive agreed with the majority here that there is no problem as long as I don't use bubble bath etc.

Thanks again for all the good advice!

So you are moving in the right direction! That's great news! I know it can seem disheartening but it is absolutely normal for you to have these feelings when your baby is getting into position - in fact it's really positive. A long pre-labour tends to mean the baby is moving into a great position for descent. That's why your baby is moving around so fast, s/he is getting ready - as you are.

When things do kick off properly, which will be very soon, you'll know. Just think, by the weekend you will be a mummy!

Oh, sooner than that!! They will induce me tomorrow afternoon if I am not in proper labour by then, so shouldn't be later than Wed evening I guess! Have to say though, am starting to get a bit freaked out now that it is so close!!!

Can I just ask one more stupid question? The period type pains tend to get worse in waves, and the last few times they have, my bump has tightened at the same time; still no pain in bump though - I take it this still isn't 'proper' contractions? (I'm not getting over-anxious by the way - more the opposite; want to make sure I am not ignoring/dismissing things that I should be paying attention to )

Ooh that sounds more like it. You don't necessarily have to have pain in your bump. I didn't, I had periody type pains, pains in my back and an urge to move a lot during contractions.

Incidentally induction is an option you can hold out for longer if you want to - you will not automatically get an infection just because the clock says you will.

BTW if you are bored you could do worse than go to this site and have a browse some good info on early labour and early labour mistakes.

Ah. Things could be moving a bit quicker than I thought then - am getting those kind of pains quite frequently - haven't been timing them but could be more than 1 every 5 mins. But pain is bearable (just!), and midwife said to stay at home till I couldn't bear it any more, so think I will be here for a little while. Induction discussion may well be academic though

FANTASTIC - time five and then in an hour time another five - you don't need to do it consistently. Try moving around. Pee often.

When you are in too much pain to MN you are probably moving into active labour

Thanks for your help/advice. That website was really good btw.

Will probably log off now and go to bed quite early - didn't get much sleep last night as was at the hospital from 1am to 4am, might be needing my energy tonight!

Good luck. Report back please - we all want to hear your news!

Hi. Sorry for taking so long to report back - just got home last night and have onyl just managed to get online .

Turns out I was in labour, and had a little girl almost exactly 24hrs after my last post!! Baby Beth (Elizabeth Mary), 7lb15oz. Will post full details later. Thanks again for all the advice

congrats

I'm so pleased for you congrats, enjoy your baby girl, what a lovely name!!!