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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Do period pains indicate things are getting going?

13 replies

swmum · 28/03/2008 10:54

Waking up in the night with period pains and sore back and they last for a while in the morning. Am 37 weeks tomorrow and noticed this for the past few days. Moving around seems to help.
Also getting sharp pains which feel like baby is head butting my cervix - for lack of a better description!
Are those braxton hicks? So hard to know what the hell is going on with a first baby.
Midwife told me last week that he is 4/5 engaged so not sure if that's why I'm getting the pain.
All managable - I guess I'm just hoping it's a sign of something starting.

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SoupDragon · 28/03/2008 11:00

All 3 of my labours started with period pains. Regular period pains that came and went and slowly built up into proper contractions. I'd had my babies within 24 hours each time though

ispyjen · 28/03/2008 21:51

I am 41+3 and have been having period pains for about 3 weeks, however, I only just got to 4/5 engaged in last few days so not sure what's going on! Heard BRaxton Hicks is like having a belt tightended round stomach, but not noticed that either!!! Good luck anyway and hope you don't have to wait as long as I am...

Sheen4272 · 28/03/2008 23:50

I'm nearly 37 weeks and have started having period pains and the sharp pains you have described. Like you, I would like to know what is going on! We still have some decorating to finish and I haven't packed my bag yet.

vicky11 · 29/03/2008 09:32

I'm in the same position 38 weeks today and period like pains! I can't work out whether I was having bracxton hicks last night or if the baby was just annoying me on purpose with extra large kicks!! Had a scan last wk (as first was breech) and the head isn't yet engaged and it's only 6lb so I assume I will carry on till my due date?!!

Peachy · 29/03/2008 09:34

Hope so- have had a few days now, due dates were yesterday and tomorrow (I go by tomorrow, DH by yesterday)

Vicky, second babies dont usually engage before albour starts so dont worry about that.

HowlingCow · 29/03/2008 15:59

I'm on 3rd pregnancy and am 40+4days. Thought I would know exactly when it was all happening but rang MW lastnight who came over at 4am (feel so guilty!!)as am having planned homebirth. Felt like period pains every 5 minutes so thought this was it! She stayed 3 hours before giving me internal as didnt want me to be disheartened and at 7am announced nothing really happening and left. Pains have become infrequent but stronger-so just goes to show whether 1st or 3rd baby its all incredibly confusing!!!!!

Peachy · 30/03/2008 08:06

don't worry HC, I'm on my 4th and really thought last night was it, then baby got stuck on my coccyx and shifted and that was that.

Annoying isn't it?

popsycal · 30/03/2008 08:15

I had them for about 2 weeks before having ds2. However, it did mean that when labour did come, it was super speedy as I did not see the warning signs I think.

micegg · 30/03/2008 10:25

I am 39+2 and have been getting the same pains since friday. Last night I had a very sharp pain just inside my vagina. My tummy also keeps going really hard (braxton hicks I assume) so have out it down to everything getting ready. Annoying though isn't it!

amidaiwish · 30/03/2008 10:38

with DD1 i got period pains and had her within 36 hours

with DD2 i had them for days and days, but it did mean that when the labour got going i contracted quickly.

I think the period pains are definite signs of labour on its way. Good luck!!

Original poster

swmum · 31/03/2008 12:38

Just checked this thread again and glad to see I'm not the only one!
Midwife told me last week that head is 4/5 engaged so I'm hoping that with these pains - which are still coming and going every day - are a sign I won't be waddling around till 42 weeks. But then who knows?! Off to have some more raspberry leaf tea just incase!
Good luck to you all!

OP posts:

Sheen4272 · 31/03/2008 20:08

Thanks for all your comments, have a midwife appointment on Thursday so maybe she will be able to check what's going on. Pains haven't been so bad the last couple of days - until tonight when they have made we wince a couple of times and stand still!

Catilla · 31/03/2008 20:23

Not wanting to disappoint you ladies but midwives usually quote the fifths as "palpable" ie. the amount of the head they can still feel. So 4/5 is not very engaged.

At least that's what they write in the notes... of course if they say something it could be the other way round...

Confusing or what?!
Good luck to you all. Sounds like you're all getting ready and in just a few days/weeks you'll have forgotten all about this bit!

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