Going in and out of early labour? Is this normal?

[LittleOwl]

Hi there, I feel even stupid for posting this - has anyone experienced what feels like going in and out of early labour, as if the body cannot make up it's mind?

I get really strong braxton hicks (so strong it takes the breath away), sudden onset of contractions (5 minutes apart, and I would call them surprisingly painful for a for coming out of nowhere) - this stopping after 30 minutes - and then all going back to completely quiet and normal? I had one episode of this 6 days ago, and then all quiet, MOnday afternoon, MOnday to Tuesday night a bit of BH, Tuesday night severe BH (was pacing the floor for 4 hours and doing relaxation breath to see me through), and by noon yesterday pretty much all stopped. This night fantastic (not a twinge)

I am 39 + 6 days, and starting to worry that the body for one reason or other is not willing to go through with labour. The little one always has been a very chilled mover, but he is even getting more sluggish. Saw midwive yesterday (on plan) who was happy with heartbeat and just mused that I might be in early labour and needed to walk (which I am doing anyway).

As this is my DS2, I feel really stupid even asking the question, but last time round it was just a day of progressively stronger and more regular (not very painful though) contractions, water's breaking and 2 more days.

Does the above sound familiar to anyone, as I feel so stupid - and by now I will not even call DH from work until I am really really sure (by the time I would call the hospital normally - so will have to think about alternative means to getting to the maternity unit).

Thanks

Hi, not quite the same thing here but my early stage of labour (before it gets established) seems to last for weeks.

With DS, I was having crampy pains, like period pains but also down my legs and in my back, for about 2 1/2 weeks, increasingly intense and enough to have to think about getting through them. About two weeks before he came I had a show and terrible diarreah (sp?) - I really thought he'd make an appearance that night. 2 weeks later..... still having the period pains on the morning of my sweep, it made the sweep pretty uncomfortable, but I was already 3cm dilated at that point. I think the sweep kicked things off but it wasn't until about 6pm that they really felt like contractions and by 8pm I knew I was in labour. Transition at 11pm and despite complications (nothing to do with the slow start) he was here by the morning!

Things are starting in exactly the same way this time. Pains have started, nesting kicked off again, and I cried about 30 times on Tuesday, including in public, for ridiculous reasons. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and not expecting anything to happen properly for at least another week!

luckysocks, thanks - at least it made me feel normal... I can now add horrible back pain to the list.... lets see if this lasts for another two weeks...

I could have written that myself! Sounds like it must be normal, but annoying!

fingers crossed for you it won't be that long!

I've never had BH so don't really know what I'm talking about, but it does just sound as if your body is getting warmed up! You could always have a word with MW for reassurance but if they're not getting any closer together when it happens it could just be BH or false labour.

This happened to me the last time, went on for 5 days before proper labour started. Hopefully yours will be less. I was told by midwife and the hospital that it is very common (and annoying)
Poor you! I had SPD so couldn't walk around a lot hence it lasted such a long time, but my midwife advised that if I could that I should keep moving as much as possible so to establish the labour, when you need a rest have a nice bath, then move again if you can, I know it's painful too walk around but worth it I think!

Good luck!