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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Is this labour?

15 replies

k4mi · 20/01/2012 21:20

I am 40+4. Had a show on Tuesday. Baby has been rather quiet today and is very low.

Since lunchtime I've had period like cramps on and off (mild). Since about 6pm I've felt my stomach harden and pain radiate from my back to the tummy area lasting approx 45 secs and every 8-10 mins. They are not really painful, I can talk and walk and they just make me breathe deeply for half a minute. Is this it in the early stages or just braxton hicks or something? I have not had many braxton hicks during pregnancy so don't know what to expect. The pains feel like a cramp that you would get in your foot/leg only milder at the moment. I also have the odd shooting pain in my groin and generally feel a bit 'different'.

Anyone start like this?!

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Original poster

k4mi · 20/01/2012 21:21

Also I should add I can only feel the pains under belly button at the moment, there's no pain above and I can't feel the tightening sensation so much there either.

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morethemerrier · 20/01/2012 21:24

I would say yes, it all sounds very promising!!!

Good luck x

sittinginthesun · 20/01/2012 21:24

Sounds like it's happening. This time of the evening, I would be torn between trying to get a bit of sleep, or walking around to keep it moving. How are you feeling?

Original poster

k4mi · 20/01/2012 21:27

I feel ok, we are just about to eat a takeaway lol then I plan to rest and let OH set the pool up. I do feel quite tired but obviously excited so not sure I will sleep! Is it normal to be hungry?! I kind of feel hungry and a little nauseus!

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sleepevader · 20/01/2012 21:27

Agree sounds promising. Is this your first? I would have a bath/shower relax and get some sleep.

morethemerrier · 20/01/2012 21:39

I am with sleepevader, get some rest as exciting as it is, if its labour and not a practice run, resting should not stop it but enable you to cope better than exhausting yourself waiting/pacing around for something to happen.

I was sick in the early stages with my last two, your body having a clear out is another good sign, you may want to go easy on the takeaway lol!

workshy · 20/01/2012 21:42

ooooo -I'm getting my cup of tea and settling down to watch this :)

good luck

SausageSmuggler · 20/01/2012 22:00

Does sound promising! Only thing I noticed is you said baby is a bit quiet today so keep an eye on movement still. If you notice the movements are less get in touch with your mw to be monitored.

Good luck, keep us updated!

Original poster

k4mi · 20/01/2012 23:40

Ok so contractions have tailed off a bit now... But I am now getting these sort of stabbing pains in groin/cervix mainly when standing/moving and have bad back pain. I think it's just body gearing up!? Have felt LO moving around as ate chocolate and had cold orange and she perked up a bit. Still not as much as usual but ok. Does this sound ok? I am attempting to get some sleep now as I know I may not get another chance!!

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Original poster

k4mi · 20/01/2012 23:43

Ps also feels like I have a football wedged up you know where as think my pelvis is moving apart! Amazing sensations!

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ZhenThereWereTwo · 20/01/2012 23:50

Sounds like it, in true labour the contractions get closer together, longer and more intense over time. Like others have said eat and get sleep while you can, wished I had taken that advice with DD in the early stages before the contractions became too strong to sleep through. Keep an eye on the movements like others have said and always call in if concerned.

Good luck :)

BrownB · 21/01/2012 00:29

Good luck! Am 39+6 today (Sat) so am watching with interest. Hope you get some rest in as the ladies above recommend...!

Original poster

k4mi · 21/01/2012 12:40

Well...I did rest, all night! All the pains seem to have died off. Have mild aches today but think it must have just been my cervix getting ready or something! Still playing the rarer boring waiting game but perhaps moving in the right direction at least!

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morethemerrier · 21/01/2012 14:35

Glad you got some rest, it is all good and most certainly goes towards the main event!

I've had a few practice runs in my three previous labours, and I think the general consensus on here is that it all bodes for a quicker labour at the end of all the run up pains!

Frustrating, but all worth while! The important thing is not to exhaust yourself trying to get things moving, imho time is better spent resting and enjoying those last few stages of being pregnant!

Do as much or as little as you feel like doing, I am sure things will kick off when you least expect and you will be holding your DC before you know it!

Good Luck x

nickelhasababy · 21/01/2012 14:42

:(
I was hoping for a new live-birth thread!
(seems like such a long time since mine...)

Now, when I started mine, I had some mild pains exactly like you described at 40+something (was it 40+4 or 40+6? )
Then they went away (I blamed going to bed!)
and I didn't go into labour until 40+15.
(and i wasn't induced)

I hope that's not going to happen to you, and that you're complaining right now about labour pains

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