Do back pains mean the start of early labour?

[Tobermory]

Am 38+6 and have been having lots of back pains since yesterday evening. Have back probs anyway and SPD so initially put it down to that but has been ongoing today. Pains feel like they're coming in waves but disappearing inbetween whi h makes me think it's not 'just' back ache. Seem to be coming between 4 and 10 minutes apart and lasting 30-50 secs ish. Have tried bath, paracetomal and on all fours, the most comfortable position by far.
So, what do you think?
The start of something or could this last for days?

Sometimes... but they could go on for days.
I think you should phone your MW and talk it thru with her/him.

Actually, come to think of it, friend had labour which consisted entirely of back pain. What's worse, when she went to hospital they insisted that she wasn't having contractions at all for ages (??, how could they be so certain!).

Ooh, am I the only one going to reply (rainy and cold here, I am only adult at home with vomitting child on the sofa, so I am kind of tied down). I love a good "Am I in labour?" thread!!

You're doing well so far, putting both points of view across!!

However I was hoping for a definitive " yes Tobermory you are in labour, off you go to hospital!"

Have you rung MW?
My first MW said (and I think this about the right advice, having had 4 babies) that you don't head off for hospital until the pain is "toe-curling".

Sadly, I don't think you're at toe-curling yet!?
Have you tried walking around (wander off to the shops and back again), sometimes distraction is the best strategy.

No, not at toe curling yet.
I feel a bit of a fraud calling them as it's back pains not tummy, irrational I know.

Am booked in for a section Tuesday, was supposed to be avoiding toe curling until afterwards at least!

Neah, tis all part of the excitement these little twinges and warm-ups.

Do you really want a section or would it be okay with you if it happens naturally tonite/tomorrow?

I was pretty mentally prepared for Tuesday I think, though knowing exactly when were going to meet DC2 is strange.

But the idea it might be out of my hands and sooner... A combination of exciting and bloody terrifying!

It always is (!!! ).
I presume you have a hospital bag packed already, then, might want to double check it?

I have to go now but don't forget to return and update if things get more exciting! x.

My labour with dd I felt pains mainly in my back. It only came around my stomach at a fairly advanced stage.

Although I knew it was labour because of how the intensity and frequency of the back pains increased.

Good luck

I gave birth last week and the pain was all in my back until the pushing stage when the urge to push took over and I couldn't feel the pains any more. At no point did I feel pain in my abdomen.

Tens machine was brilliant if you have one. I didn't need any other pain relief.

Call the hospital. My back pains started at 5am, starting coming every 5 mins at 8am. We went to the birth centre at 2:15 where they told me I was 4cm dilated but poss not in established labour due to the shortness of my contractions and the fact they didn't hurt much.

Baby Rose was born at 5:14. The contractions never did get longer or more frequent so I appear to have had a baby without ever going into established labour!

Of course it may take longer than that - and don't be disheartened if it does. But definitely call the hospital.

Hospital bag packed, repacked and prob only needs one more packing before it's really ready!
Pains more intense now. Taken a short trip out with DD and DH to take my mind off it and now wondering if it was wise!
Sunshiney, how advanced were u before you got anything around the bump?

Both mine were back to the end (ds was op dd was not) Dd happened exactly as you describe I had her 10 hours later so good luck have they got ant closer yet.

Oooh! 3 hours since her last post... where is Tobermory??

I am still here!

Just spent a loooong time in the bath, (not 3 hours) which helped a bit. Pains much more intense and had a few low down pains on bump, period pains as oppsed to tightenings.
Phoned hospital a few hours ago who said 'cone in if you want!'
I really wanted them to tell me!

DD is spending night at a friends so we are prepared.

I am expecting to go to hospital at some point tonight!

Don't know if you're still around Tobermory, but my labour started with back pains, then contractions (which felt like period pains) a few hours later. Went into Birth Centre when waters broke a few hours after that, then gave birth about 9 hours later. DD was OP (back to back) though, which explained back pain.
Excited for you. Good luck!

Still around, trying to sleep in case we have a busy night.

Back pains still much same, v uncomfortable but not yet toe- curling (good phrase!) but nothing really at the front.

Completely unable to sleep.
Why is it so uncomfortable lying on my side?

How are you doing?

Still here!

Had some pretty good sleep and woken up to more back pains.
Am wondering what today will bring!

How close are they now? How are you feeling? Do you by any chance have a tilted womb? Because I do and that is why I will always have back cc and no tummy ones.

They have been really irregular today, still v uncomfortable though.

News news news??