help am I in labour ????

[whimsicalquark]

I know people say that if you are then you wouldnt need to ask but this is my first and I have no idea what to expect.
I'm 40 + 1, had sweep monday and booked in for induction tomorrow (due to gestational diabetes) they said at sweep that cervix was soft etc and things were getting there (something along those line cant remember) have been having a show for last week and a half ! (never blood stained just snotty sorry if tmi) have also been having what think are braxton hicks for last week or so, cramps every so often but never regular and never really that painful

anyways I woke up a couple hours ago with a painful cramp that made me get out of bed it hurt so much and now im getting them fairly regulary, although they arent lasting very long. They are quite painful much more than ever had before, enough to make me get up and move.

Am I in labour ??? if so how far apart etc should I be before doing anything/ phoning anyone ? im aware early stages can last ages and dont want to wake DH up if its nothing

sounds like it! But you are right, it can go on for ages.... so I would sit and time them and see what happens (I managed to fill hours waiting for my dh to wake up while staring at my watch and watching countdown which was the only thing on tv at 3 in the morning). Mine went away a couple of times before really kicking in so it could still be a while. But hopefully it is a good sign that induction may not be necessary or, if it is, it should work if your body is getting ready by itself (IYSWIM). Good luck! how often are they and how long do they last?

Hi,
Sorry am no help, pregnant with first. Just bumping up.
How exciting, sounds like its happening.
How far apart are they?

Sounds like it to me... Good luck!

In general terms you need to be having 2 or 3 contractions in 10 minutes, each lasting a minute. And though some women report otherwise, the majority of women will find it smarts quite a lot too once you're on your way. You probably will find yourself beyond MNing.

Once they're regular, long and really taking your breath away (you won't be able to talk/concentrate on anything else) then you're well on your way. But of course if you need help or are worried, you get help sooner. There's a vast range of normal.