Early labour

[WeeCee]

For those of you that have been through early labour how would you describe it? I am currently experiencing period pains, but they don't come and go like contractions would, they're just always there.

Does that sound like it could be early labour?

It could well be. I had period pains that came and went but having a constant dull ache could also be the start of things. Have you lost any of your plug?

No, nothing coming away down below, but I was constantly moving my bowels yesterday.

Yesterday and Friday I did experience some new tightening feelings.

Yes I spent the day with constant period pain then in the evening it starting coming and going and developing into contractions.

Me too…for the past week and a half 😭

Every day I think “today’s the day!” because I’ve been up all night with cramping and tightening and needing to poo, then it fades. I’m 38+3 and hoping the end is in sight for both of us!

Oh no @hereismydog that sounds rotten and exhausting 😭 are you doing anything to encourage it along? I only just started taking my raspberry leaf tablets and properly exercising on my ball on Friday.

I want her here but also I've a tonne of stuff to do yet!

How are you getting on? Still no real progression here 😭

I've had all sorts of early labour symptoms: period pains, loose bowels, short contractions, pains in bottom, pain going down inner thighs, mild contractions, infrequent contractions, Bracton Hicks. In all cases I was hours (or minutes) from giving birth. It's not always obvious that you're in early or even late labour as it can present in so many ways.

@hereismydog period pains seem to come during the night but then disappear once I'm up out of bed. Been feeling some strange pains like I've been winded but no patterns to it. 😖

Think I might try the miles circuit tomorrow, have you tried/heard of it?

@NameChanges123 oh been having a fair few of those symptoms so hopefully we can be as lucky as you! 🤞🏼

I’m still just running about doing normal stuff, my DP and Mum keep telling me off for not resting and pissing off to Tesco at 11pm because I fancy some raspberries and I want to get them my damn self 😂😂😂 I’ve had the nesting bug a bit more today so hopefully it’s a sign that things are moving forward!

I have had period type pains for the last 10 days - sometimes mild and sometimes bad enough to wake me up, sometimes sporadic and sometimes quite wave like with accompanying back pain and I am still very much pregnant (39+3) with a non-dilated cervix. So it may be absolutely nothing, but I have had friends say that was how labour started too! Very frustrating as tricky to know!!

I didn’t even have the slow manageable stuff.

first time - waters went in a gush, uncomfortable but clear contractions for an hour. Then pain and I was restless and mooing like a cow.

second time - about 10 mins of period pain and then mooing like a cow. Went to 9cm in 2 hours. Would have happily ended myself if you’d given me a gun!

Still bugger all happening here!

I went in for a sweep today and was almost certain she would tell me I was at least slightly dilated…

Nope, my cervix is high, hard and clamped shut. The pain and pressure I’m feeling is baby’s head down the side of my cervix, bending it backwards 😩 they’ve given me two options: another painful and likely unsuccessful sweep on Monday, or I can just ask to be induced. I’m probably going to take the induction as there are several reasons I can’t be allowed to go overdue.

Hope everyone is getting on a little better than I am, and that at least one of you is cuddling a tiny baby right now!

I was just about to make a post asking about early labour here! I'm 38 weeks today. Had some tightenings the past two days and this morning loose bowels + a hint of lower back pain (but could be bowel related). My DD was born by ECLS and I didn't labour (or even come close), so it's all new to me. Yesterday my midwife felt bump, but didn't do a vaginal exam. She didn't indicate baby was engaged or anything.

I've got another ELCS booked for 23rd, but I've been on the fence about a VBAC since I found out I was pregnant. I'll probably just roll with it if this is very early labour as I'd ideally like this baby born before Christmas, but I've got a tonne of work to do and no childcare until Wednesday night, so if it is, I hope it takes a while!

Still hanging on here. Lots of tightenings throughout the day but not had any more cramping. 😬 38+3 today. Midwife won't do sweep until I'm overdue unfortunately. I've spent all day tidying and cleaning, my back is agony, hope it triggers something 😅.

We’ve been blitzing the house today too! DP and I both currently flopped on the sofa with sore backs I was going to suggest we try getting the baby out the same way we got them in tonight but I don’t think it would be much fun for either of us 🤣🤣🤣

Currently going through the same here, 39+4, crampy and sore back through parts of the day. Had a sweep 2 days ago and hoping it will push things on! That and acupuncture/dates etc.

@Unsure4589 I have a previous c section too, it's so difficult to decide what to do. I'm gonna try a vbac, hopefully a spontaneous one!

I was convinced it was trapped wind (I was 24 weeks and in denial).