Traditional "It would appear that I am in labour, but when will it actually get going properly thread

[AnguaVonUberwald]

I have been having period like pains and backache since friday evening, last night I had an hour and a half of really intense contractions every few minutes, that suddenly stopped, had a few this morning as well, but now back to the period like pains and backache, how long could this go on for?

How exciting!

How many weeks are you? This could go on for a while, but the good news is that prelabour should be helping prepare your body for the Real Thing. Have you had a show?

I am 36+6, which the hospital assures me counts as full term.

No show, no waters breaking. DH stayed home from work today and now I feel like I wasted one of his days off!

I just really want it to start properly, or stop for a while (didn't get much sleep last night)

But yes, really exiting at the same time. Just want something to happen!

as I'm sure you know it's not an exact science predicting when labour will begin! Maybe organise some activities over the next few days to take your mind off of it?

Right your dh is at home, you've had no show or waters breaking so...you know what I'm going to suggest don't you?

Right - grab your man and get to it!! You don't want your baby to have a leap year birthday do you? Or do you?

ooh, Angua, how exciting

Sounds like things are definitely getting moving.

But... it could be days yet - sorry.

If nothing much happens today or tonight, let dh go to work tomorrow, but with strict instructions to stay by the phone at all times just in case.

absolutely belgo - 'activities' are required

ooh, can I say nipple stim before lulu comes along and says it?

Hello...this is exciting......try going for a walk or driving down a bumpy road or eating pineapple or spicy food to help bring it on....i know these are old wives tales but the curry followed by pineapple chunks helped me with my first...thats if you want to nudge it along. It could be a while yet but make the most of the days you have left!!! Good luck....I will watch the post to see how you get on!!

am v but will send you some nice labour vibes anyway - please return them when you are done

I want this to be meeeeeee!!!

Get your birthing ball, drink raspberry leaf tea go for a long walk and talk to baby, tell it, Now is the time

I hate to say this... it could go on for weeks (I know someone had about 6 weeks of it before the birth) or things could accelerate tonight. Good luck however it goes, try to distract yourself and rest up in the meantime, paracetomol is fine, if it helps!

activites worked for me straight away

OK, we did "that" yesterday, which I presume is what caused the hour and a half of intense contractions, (although it was hours later).
I have read that for nipple stimulation to work you have to do it for 3 hours a day! which sounds painful!

Squonk, agree, DH will have to go to work tommorow if nothing happens today (don't want to use up his paternity leave).

Its frustrating just sitting here waiting for something to happen.

Honeysuckle Didn't know you were pregnant (or maybe it got lost somewhere in my head). So exciting. Right let me read properly....

latent phase. Relax. Sort your wedding photos again, watch some comedies, get some sleep! Eat, drink and wee regularly!

I have nothing on tomorrow. Can come sit with you if you like? I might snore a wee bit though. Still knackered from my travels.

if i was you i would keep at "it" as much as you can be bothered and when they get intense again bounce on your ball

Marslady, would love to see you, but have moved out to the Burbs, Don't know if Bromley is really reasonable, especially if you have been traveling and are knackered?

oh no school run,good luck avu keep us posted

you definately need to do 'that' again And then maybe go out for a nice dinner tonight? Is this your first baby or would you need a childtamer babysitter?

Bromley????? But you were just up the road.... sob!!!!!!!!

Well... if you need me... call me!

Marslady, thanks I will send out an SOS on mumsnet if things get too intense tommorow.

I'm afraid we had to move to the burbs' to get the house with the garden etc.

Will try and go and meet some friends tommorow or something, so not sitting in alone.

Northernlurker - first child so no tamer required!

Right going to go and have some lunch will keep you posted, thanks for the advise, encouragement etc

Well the offer's there. Would travel for you!

Goodness! You make Bromley sound like the arse end of nowhere.
Not that I am disputing that. Is hardly the most happening of places... which is it's appeal I suppose in some respects.