First pregnancy qn - can contractions start then stop?

[mediamama]

Any advice please. I'm 40+1 with first pregnancy and I know everyone says when you're in labour you know.
I had period type pains all last night but from 5am they came in waves really strong - had me bent double (and I thought I had a high pain threshold, how wrong was i!) and came every five minutes on the dot lasting about 20 seconds.
This continued until 9.20am then I think I had a 'show'.
They've now stopped? Is this early signs of labour? My waters haven't broken and I'm still getting lots of Braxton Hicks but only a very dull ache occasionally but no more contractions if that's what they were?
any advice please?

Sounds very much like what happened to me - strong regular contractions for three or four hours, a show, then nothing for another three or four hours. For me, the second time round was the real deal and the baby was born twelve hours later. My waters didn't break until ten minutes before the birth - by then I had forgotten they were meant to!

It sounds like you are well on your way. Rest up as much as you can before the next stage and eat if you can. Good luck!!

Hello, hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will come along in a minute - but I just wanted to say that labour can start and stop although that didn't happen to me. Might be worth giving the delivery switchboard at the hospital a ring and telling them your symptoms. Very exciting, though, good luck

This happened to me in my second labour. Strongish contractions every 8 mins throughout the night. Then morning came and everything stopped. I was ao cross I sent DH to work and went back to bed to rest. Two hours later I was on the phone begging DH to come home and DD2 arrived later that day. I reckon the pause lasted at least three hours. It sounds like things are underway for you. I would try and get a few hours kip if you can.

Good luck and merry Christmas!

Very normal, for some woman this can go on for several days!! . As said before have a good rest in between, try and imagine that each contraction is getting baby into right position and all ready to come out.

Merry Christmas and hope your little one comes soon!

thanks all - and apparently starting and stopping was a sign of things to come - a beautiful little girl arrived 20.28 on Boxing Day.....and as per my original query she didn't make it easy......blue flashing lights to hospital, epidural and drip while labour did not progress then an emergency c-section......and the surgeon then had to use forceps to drag her from me....stubborn little thing - and so much for my planned birthing centre birth!!!!
Happy New Year everyone xxx