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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Am I in early labor?

28 replies

sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 07:28

I am 39 +1 pregnant. I have been having period-like cramps on and off for the past week. Now they have been consistent for the last 14 hours.
I have discomfort in my lower back and pain in my leg every so often. I also feel sick with the cramps at times. I have been moving my bowels very regularly. I don't think I am having contractions. My stomach tightens every so often, but it's not painful just uncomfortable.

Also, my mucus plug started to come away a few days ago.

Could this be early labour?
This is my first pregnancy and don't know what to expect.

Thank you

OP posts:
Tryingandfailingagain · 02/12/2023 07:30

Yes 🙂

Plumful · 02/12/2023 07:31

Definitely! Stay upright and put something light hearted on to keep the oxytocin flowing

Original poster
sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 08:39

Thank you.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 02/12/2023 09:02

You are definitely in the early stages of labour. good luck.

CandyLeBonBon · 02/12/2023 09:03

Sounds like it yes

Suchardchoccy · 02/12/2023 09:03

Sounds like it to me 😊
Good luck!

Original poster
sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 09:05

Thank you. It just seems to start and stop. I guess it's just a waiting game. In your experience how long after you had those symptoms did you have baby?

OP posts:
Plumful · 02/12/2023 09:08

Get bouncing on your ball

LongLiveGoblingKing · 02/12/2023 09:12

Yey how exciting!

It might be a good time to get a contraction tracking app (loads of free ones) so you can see how the pains are ramping up.

Original poster
sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 14:59

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
fulawitt · 02/12/2023 15:12

Yes !!! All the best OP.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 02/12/2023 15:19

I'm 40+4, and I've had no symptoms. No period pains, no contractions, nothing. Huge surprise I was 2cm at my stretch and sweep on Thurs! Lost my mucus plug yesterday but still no pains or other signs anything is progressing. Just had a 3 hour walk to try get him moving 😅.

Hope things get going and he arrives before his eviction date next week! Hope your little one is also on the way :)

Bin85 · 02/12/2023 15:25

You asked about timings.
With my first I woke in the early hours with what I thought was stomach ache ( I was already a week past due date but a bit in denial)
GP sent me to hospital that morning and baby born at 6 45pm.

GreatGateauxsby · 02/12/2023 15:26

It’s not early….!
I went into labour at 39+1 and DD was fully cooked!

good luck

CandyLeBonBon · 02/12/2023 15:33

GreatGateauxsby · 02/12/2023 15:26

It’s not early….!
I went into labour at 39+1 and DD was fully cooked!

good luck

I think op means the early stages, not premature labour?

Suchardchoccy · 02/12/2023 19:41

Definitely get a contraction timer app. if it's you're first it might take a while. My first took 24 hours and my second 8 ish

Pigeotto · 02/12/2023 19:44

Yay! Pop on some tunes, and make sure there’s a clear kitchen side to hold a bit later 👏 Good luckkkkkk x

ChoupetteTheCat · 02/12/2023 20:03

How are you doing @sunshine240778474

Original poster
sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 21:32

Thank you everyone. The cramps settles this morning, but came back again in the evening and seem to be worse now. I don't think they are contractions yet. It's my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what to expect or what is happening. Thank you everyone for your advice

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine240778474 · 02/12/2023 21:56

At what stage should I call the midwife? I live 1 hour from the hospital?

OP posts:
bettynutkins · 02/12/2023 22:11

Are you timing them? Once you are having 3 contractions in 10 minutes they advise you to call.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 02/12/2023 22:26

I was told to call when I get contractions every 5 minutes, lasting one minute, for an hour. But I have some extra factors such as GBS to contend with!

fulawitt · 02/12/2023 22:35

I was told every 5 mn.

babythreeincoming · 04/12/2023 09:52

How are things @sunshine240778474?

Larabelle6 · 04/12/2023 10:11

I woke up at 6am with awful diarrhoea, midwife came for home visit at 11.30 said probably early labour but could take a couple of days - he was born at 16.40 that day. Went from 0-100 in about 2 hours. Good luck, hope it’s the start for you.