Is this early labour?

[fairywing]

First baby, 38+3 today. Had niggly pains all day long fairly regularly and they seem to be getting a bit stronger. TMI but it feels like i am really constipated at the time, lots of pressure as well as sharpish pains low down at the front and tightenings. Baby is very active as usual. Have been getting them roughly every 10-20 mins all afternoon and they last about a minute. Can talk and walk through them so i know nothing is seriously starting yet but wondered whether it sounds like early labour or just normal pressure from baby? I was kind of expecting period pain to kick things off and it doesn't feel like that at all.

Bump (no pun intended).

It's hard to tell, hope someone comes along with better advice soon.

Possibly, but if it is early labour, its very early so ignore until you cannot ignore. Go to bed/ get some kip, don't wear yousself out trying to stay upright and active (like I did for most of 3 days latent labour with first baby )

If it is turning into labour, you will know

It sounds like I felt with DD1 when her head engaged. I found I had to walk more like John Wayne! It was a couple of weeks before anything kicked off for me.

Yeh its hard to tell. Lol at the end of my pregnancy about a week or 2 before birth i felt like i had a bowling ball between my legs which is hard to walk when i have that feeling lol. So so much pressure. It could be braxton hicks tho. They can be really strong. I had them really stong a week before birth and really thought i was gonna have the baby as it was coming in waves so assumed it was contractions and i kept having to sit down but it completly went the next day.

Thanks for the replies, managed to get a nights sleep and the pains only started a couple of times when i got up to go to the loo. Will see how today goes. Was told she was already engaged but not how much so perhaps it is just the pressure of her moving further down.

Glad you got some rest. You haven't got long to go! Make the most of opportunities to relax and rest.

with my dd's i have not been constipated more the opposite as your body clears out to prepare have you had that? or just feels constipated?

No just felt constipated but don't think i am