Labour????

[juliec26]

I am 39 weeks and since last night have had what i think are contractions very low down last about 30 seconds like bad period cramps, but they are really irregular was awake from 2.30 -6am dosing inbetween then from 9am -10am went back to sleep, but they kept waking me up - got up and seem to have worn off - Do have dd who is nearly 5, but with her I woke up with terrible backache and all my contractions were in my back - worried that I will now have a really long labour - any ideas?

Don't worry it sounds like your body is gearing up for labour. Every labour is different and there is no way of telling how it will go this time. This might go on for another couple of weeks or it may kick of again very soon but it is a kind way to labour as it means your body is doing a lot of the work gently.

TBH it does sound to me like you're in the early stages and that it could be long, but it might not be. I'm sure you know this, but just try to have a bit of a rest if you can, then do some walking, bouncing on a ball if you have one and stay relaxed.

I had a very long labour, regular contractions but just long. I still wonder if it was partly because I felt so uncomfortable with DP's family (who I am not at all close to) were sat in my living room for 2 days and doing noisy housework while I tried to sleep inbetween contractions.

Oh and have nice warm baths, that really helped most people I know who've done it.

Good luck!

think i might go back to sleep then as I am knackered! feel like I should be scrubbing floors and walking, but having hardly slept really dont have the energy to really move - baby is moving loads - just having a painful one as i type - feeling really emotional and have cried all morning and have come up in spots - have midwife later so see what she says - as when I saw consultant due to massive baby bp was 140/80 and trace protein in urine - although i have bp monitor at home and was only around 113/68 the last 5 times i have taken it! due to large baby have a sweep booked for 40 weeks, but hoping it comes soon :)

Have a ball and once I've had a sleep walked to midwife and walked to get dd from school will have a bounce just the thought of another sleepless night makes me want to cry! X