How long can Pre labour last for? - First time mum

[Anonymousm]

Hi Everyone, I’m 39 + 2 days and for the last 1/2 weeks I’ve been getting what feels like the odd random electric shock type pain in my lower back & Vag/Bum but very sporadic maybe once randomly every other day. Last night I had what I describe as very bad trapped wind pain which made me feel sickly and I kept trying for the toilet but nothing and then managed to fall asleep, woke up this morning and feel PMS almost, achey back/lower belly/Hips. The past few days I’ve also felt like I can noticeably feel my cervix almost like I’m aware it’s there when sitting down like abit of pressure 😂. Hard to describe but I wouldn’t say I’ve had “contractions” more like dull aches and pains for a period of time then it disappears?

Is this just being pregnant late on or Long latent labour?

Anyone?

Sadly that’s my experience of late pregnancy and nothing to do with labour. Had it for 6 weeks with my first and he went 2 weeks over 😭.

Sounds like late pregnancy. I’ve had similar for the past few weeks and it’s not labour yet. Your body is getting ready for labour though, and it could last a few days or a few weeks.

@HippeePrincess Did you have any clear signs as to when? I feel like I’m over analysing like everything now and worrying that if I’m struggling now how am I going to cope with the proper event 😬😂 Thanks for answering!

@Overthebow When are you due? 22nd is my due date so I think as it’s drawing closer I’m just over thinking everything! I definitely feel like my bodies going through something hormonal I’ve had the odd episodes of hot flushes and Dizzy spells too and I used to get this before periods come. At my 38 week appointment I was only 1/5 engaged too so I’d be shocked if he does come before however sonographer said he was extremely low on Monday!

I’m due mid December, it’s my second and I remember this part from my first pregnancy. It went on for a few weeks then too. My baby has been low for a while this time and have been having lots of braxton hicks, cramps and shooting pains. It’s a good sign things are going in the right direction for you.

@Overthebow Christmas babies all around! As long as everything is normal that I’m experiencing and nothing worrying I’m not too bothered whether he’s late it’s just hard not knowing what’s a definite symptom, I suppose I’ll definitely know when I’m in agony 😂. Fingers crossed everything is smooth for us!

I had no clear signs with my first til my waters started leaking, even then I thought I could be peeing myself 🤣.

2 days of pre-labour for me during my last pregnancy but that was 2 days of pain on my TENS machine in hospital.

I'm 40+4 now with my second, I have the achy belly/lower back and loads of pressure down below that you've described but no lightning crotch this time around thank God, I had it throughout my third trimester last time. No pre-labour symptoms yet.

@HippeePrincess It’s funny you say that as I had a growth scan on Monday and the sonographer was concerned because amniotic fluid was lower than a couple of weeks before and I felt like I was leaking but just thin discharge so I was made to go to a consultant and have a swab to test for amniotic fluid. She said it was negative though and that I still had 3cm of fluid around him which is above the minimum or something so I think that’s made me more paranoid!

@shivawn Ive got a tens machine hopefully I’ll know when it’s time to put it on haha. Was it useful for you? I know latent labour can be a long slog that’s why I keep over thinking I think. It’s a weird feeling down there for me almost like my cervix is lower I suppose it is pressure like I’m just aware there is something there! It’s odd

My pre labour was distinctly mild contractions, rather than just general achiness/random pains, but they tailed off after a few hours each time rather than ramping up as they did when it was 'proper' labour.

Oh - you asked how long - I had several hours of mild contractions for three nights in a row, that tailed off towards morning. The next evening I went into labour proper and he was born later that night.

@Wheeeeee how long did this go on for? Sometimes I think it’s hard to differentiate especially if it’s not a text book labour until you get to full blown labour, I suppose it’s a bonus if you don’t realise your in early labour less time to think about it! 😆just saw you’ve sent the how long bit once I posted!

so it can be on and off

I was really frustrated at the time because they clearly were regular mild contractions, they just fizzled out after a few hours each time. But then my proper labour was really fast once it established so I guess maybe they were doing some prep!

I was in hospital at the time due to my blood pressure, had really bad back pain, no contractions as such, the midwife examined me, I was 9 cms. I don’t recall having any pre labour symptoms.

@Wheeeeee Ive read if you have a longer latent phase normally the active labour goes quicker! So I’d rather take a sporadic first portion of labour I think!

@CheshireCat1 That would be fantastic minus high blood pressure! Although I bet it wasn’t pleasant feeling pretty normal to getting a baby out!

36+ with my 4th op and I e been having contractions for 3 weeks... I'm due my c section in 12 days..

Unfortunately it's just a waiting game

I didn't really find it useful to be honest but I seem to be in the minority there. I think it might be because I was induced and on the drip so contractions started hard and fast, I'm hoping to go naturally this time and I think the TENS will be more effective that way.

I have the same pressure for the last couple weeks since the babies head engaged in the pelvis.

Waters went but didn't realise it was that. Thought it was just discharge