rock-solid abdomen....is this labour or should I be worried?

[mybumpsaboy]

Ok, stoooopid question but...

I'm 39 weeks, haven't had any pains/Braxtons etc throughout pregnancy (as far as I know) &, apart from the obv like a show or waters breaking have no clue how to really tell if I'm in labour...

just yesterday, my whole belly went absolutely rock hard (to the point that even with qite hard probing you can't tell which parts of baby are where now), & has been like that on & off ever since...usually for hours at a time though, not for short periods. I've also been having some periody cramps, but nothing particularly awful (though a few have made me catch my breath), backache, a stuffed up nose & the baby has been moving a little bit less (more of a twingey feeling down the bottom by my ladybits lol than a fluttering or kicking like before) but I put that down to less space.

Any comments? It's confusing me...my mum reckons should call midwife purely for the solid belly, but I'd feel so dumb just asking about that & no baby books say anything!

xx

I don't know about the solid belly, hopefuly someone will be along soon to help with that. But the periody type pains you are getting is how my labour started. Not v painful to stop e doing normal stuff but ocasionally I would have to stop and catch my breath while I had them IYSWIM.

For what it is worth, if it were me I would call the MW, they have heard it all before.

The rock hard belly is probably Braxton Hicks, or you may possibly have a urine infection (which can cause periody type pains and BH's), or of course you may be in very early labour!

Speak to your MW and have a chat with her about your symptoms and she'll decide what to do.

What iLikeToHoHoHo said. Another possible explanation is that your baby has changed position so that his/her back is pressed along your abdomen? Put your mind at rest and ask your MW. xx

SOunds like very early labour

I know you won't take this advice but

GO TO BED NOW! SLeep while you can, if it starts hurting take two paracetamol and go back to sleep.

thanks guys!! yeah, maybe I will try & get an early night & if it's still like that in the morning I'll ring the MW just to be sure...

pretty sure I haven't got a UI (unless its only just starting), but he could well have changed position..it's just disconcerting how I can't even make out any different "lumps" or even where the head/feet are now...

I HOPE it's early labour: soooo want my baby by Christmas! :p

xx

Good luck, let us know hoe you get on.

I think you should call the labour ward.

Could be early labour, but I also remember reading that a more or less continuous contraction can be a sign of placental abruption (usually accompanied by bleeding and pain but not always).

Sorry - don't mean to worry you, but I saw your post and this jumped into my mind.