Just seeing if anyone has experienced this please...
I am 38+1 today, 2nd baby. First labour, very quick, around 8 hours from first painful contraction to birth.
Yesterday afternoon, I started having regular tightenings that progressed into much more painful contractions. By around 9pm, they were every 4-5 minutes, and lasting around 45-50 seconds, I was so sure it was the real deal! Got my MIL over to be here with our little girl. Pain was building so much that I had to focus on breathing through the contractions and couldn't speak.
We called the maternity unit, and as I had a very quick labour last time they suggested I go in to be checked over. And that's when it all just slowed down completely, contractions went to 15-30 minutes apart and a lot less painful. Came back home and managed to sleep most of the night, occasionally woken by a tightening, but otherwise fine. And now today, nothing!! Having sporadic shooting pains and some Braxton Hicks I guess.
I feel like I imagined I was in labour, but I definitely was, I have since read about labour stopping and starting but not sure what to do with myself now.
Has this happened to you, and how long did it take to start up again?