is this the beginning??

[sharon137]

Hello all
I am due my first baby on Feb 14 by dates and Feb 22 by scans, but am sitting at the computer doing some work (in Australia - is 4pm Friday here) and am feeling period-type pains, and was wondering if this might be a sign of early labour? I know this can go for a couple of days so am feeling quite calm, just wondering if anyone else had this as a first symptom.
Baby has been extremely active all day, he is always a hyperactive little thing but seemed to be partcularly busy today, so I guess that combined with these crampy pains - which I have never had throughout pregnancy, I never had Braxton Hicks or even backache - I am just wondering if I should be thinking things are about to kick off soon??

Maybe this is your first Braxton Hicks..or it could be the start but first times do take a while I think! Hope midwifey types are along soon!

Hello
Ooh how exciting
An antipodean labour thread!
I started with periody cramps yes
Then had a show
Then it all kicked off from there
Best of luck!

Sounds like things could be starting off.

How are you doing now?

Good luck.

Hello
Thanks for your answers! I am still feeling crampy, it did go away and then come back, now gone away again... So am now frantically making lists of things I need to do before I have this baby! I called my mum and she said she started with cramps for a few hours before she knew it was labour too.. so time will tell! I am just going to have a good dinner and maybe a bath, and try not to think too much..
Am impatiently waiting for DP to get home though - I didnt want to call and worry him for his drive home from work, but could do with him here as I may freak out quite soon and he is a very calming influence!

Hi there,

I've been having period-type pains for a couple of weeks now and almost constantly for the last few days (BTW: EDD UK is 14th but here in France it's 24th... a bit like you!)

However, still no show, no real contractions, nothing...

My MW said these light cramps are a sign things are limbering up for the real deal, but are no indication that labour is going to start up soon.

So perhaps you're lucky enough to have your baby on the way, or perhaps you'll be like this for a while...

Whatever, though, all the best!!

You could walk up and down stairs a bit but don't knacker yourself out. Eat that good dinner and drink. Baths slow things down ime (although clambering into it once started me off good and proper!) but it's a good time to pamper yourself and have a good hairwash and stuff.

Eat and drink by the way, did I mention that?! You are going to need the energy.

Ooh, sounds exciting Sharon! Good luck.

You too, Happy - come and join us on the Feb2010 antenatal thread...!

Any news? Had my DD 16 days ago - started with increasing period-like pains which became more obviously contractions over about 36 hours.

Exciting!

Absolutely nothing!! Still waiting.... Ah well, he will come when he is ready...