Is this starting labour (stupid question)

[Mahraih]

I'm 40+5 - at 40 weeks baby was only 1/5 engaged. No show, no waters. I have had more painful BH over the last couple of days though.

Now, I'm having pains that last about 20 seconds, every 7/8 minutes. This has been happening for more than an hour. They are low down in my stomach, with tightening. Some are really painful, some much more manageable.

DP says this is definitely labour and thinks I'm ridiculous for denying it. And I am totally in denial. I keep thinking they'll fade away or stop, but they don't.

Could this still be BH, or another kind of pain? Told you it was a stupid question ...

It's a stupid question

Looks like you are having a baby.

:o

erm............. you do know you are having a baby don't you?

sounds like you're off! congratulations and good luck x

Do you need a poo???? Maybe thats why you've got tummy ache !!!

OR OTOH you are in labour my love x

Sharon2609, I had a poo earlier

Also, just had some pink discharge which may well be the beginning of a show, I think ...

Oh dear. Alright. I'm going to have a cup of tea, watch some inane videos on YouTube, and then have a baby.

Thanks ladies, I needed to be told!

You may well see the 'plug' if you've had a show and your waters go...

All the best to you.

Sounds strange but enjoy it..It's the most amazing experience xx

I love your To Do List.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Bit of a development ... the pains continued regularly (every 8/9 minutes for about 40/50 seconds) until about 5.30am this morning. At which point I learned to sleep between them.

At some point after that they must have stopped, as I woke up at 8.30am, and ... nothing! Not a sausage.

Baby was also quite active last night and now very still (one or two movements so definitely still around). I've left a message with the maternity helpline, just in case they have advice, even if that advice is, 'don't be so silly'.

Might they let me see a MW? Just to see if baby is indeed engaged, or if my uterus is just a freak

Mahraih I had the same on DC2 it is called a stop start labor. When I eventually went into labor I wouldn't accept for 10 hours and by the time I did my cc were constant, I delivered an hour after arriving

Sounds to me like latent labour. Things getting ready to start and gearing up to it but not actual labour. Once they're lasting a minute and you're having 3 in a 10 minute period, then you can assume labour.

The stop start bit is very frustrating. But it does do a lot to help your body gear up.

Thanks, Crwaling and CilantroLarry - that's pretty much what the MW said :)

Settling down (with pineapple) for another couple of days.

How frustrating for you! I had this with ds (my second). Contracted all through the night, had noooooo sleep and felt rubbish. They stopped in the morning and he wasn't born for another week! Fingers crossed yours hurries up a bit for you :)