Is this the start of labour? Please advise

[mummytopebs]

I am nearly 38 weeks and been having regular braxton hicks or contraction like things now for around 2 days. My plug went last week. I am booked in for a section next wednesday, do you think i will go this long?

Have had really bad lightening pains tonight as well up the old fanjo that made me cry out

I have posted this in pregnancy as well cos i really need replies, feel like i need a poo now (bit tmi) and back ache

hmm back ache....possibly it might be the start.

It does sound like it could be starting now - the feeling of needing to poo... makes me wonder. I remember that feeling!! How does this compare to any previous labours?

It could be but only time will tell... The plug going is not a very accurate sign, can happen quite a while before labour or right before/during. The needing a poo might be a sign as your body usually has a 'clear out' before hand... You'll know if the pains get more frequent/painfull that this is it. Somtimes if you have a bath and the pains go then it might not be labour quite yet but if they carry on regardless it could be iyswim.

If the pains do get more frequent and regular you could use this site to time them

Keep us updated, exciting!

I have never had a labour before, had pre-eclampsia wtih dd and was emergency section so never been in labour.

There is a really bad pressure in my pelvis area. Do you think i should be ringing the hospital cos am section or wait and see how it goes?

I was having tightenings around every 20 mins but these have now eased and just aches, the lightening pains have also stopped

How close is the hosp? Maybe ring for advice, it can't do any harm, they might ask you in to asess you or just say to wait a bit. The pressure sounds quite positive but the pains coming and going might just be that things aren't in full swing yet but getting there... On the other hand you could be further than you think and this might be just the way you labour, better to ring and check i'd say.

No harm in ringing the hospital, even if just to put your mind at rest, they won't mind. I just remember, with one of my labours, it all started with that really big pressure feeling, like wanting to do a poo (the size of a grapefruit)before any pain.

Of course, it could just be a false alarm ... it's so difficult to know.

When my plug went I was 8cms & had had no pain!.

With both of mine the pains were all around my bum & I felt as if I needed to poo!