Could this be labour?

[eatsleeprepeat123]

May sound silly as everyone says you just know but I'm not sure! I've had a baby before but was induced and on the drip and seem to have mentally blocked out what contractions were like as I had a traumatic birth.

So last night at about 10ish I started getting tightenings on my lower bump which were lasting about 30 seconds and every 10-20 minutes or so. They are a little painful, but not mega painful, like I can still talk through them. Managed to sleep although woke several times in the night and had them (every few hours, not every 10-20 mins though).

Does it sound like things could be starting? I'm 40 +6 so hoping it is! And if it is, does the pain just gradually get worse as they get more regular?

It does. It may gradually get more intense. All the best. Xx

Hey, midwife here ☺️ sounds like your body could be starting something which is exciting!! Maybe have a nice walk today, do a bit of curb walking, some hand expressing, crawl around the floor on all fours… see if you can get things going a little.
they will usually get stronger and closer together as labour starts to kick in. Good luck!! Hope this is the healing birth you need after a traumatic time first time.

It's when they get regular that I knew.. so keep an eye on times. Stay home as long as you can, walk, bath, birthing ball all help. Best of luck!

It definitely sounds like things are starting! Could take a while to really get going. Good luck!

Yes. Sounds like it. If you’ve only known induction contractions before you may find natural ones a lot less sharp. I found them very different