35+3 - been up since 2am with period cramps and lower back pain...

[PipIsOutNow]

Ive been having regular tightenings for the past 3 weeks now, was given steroids at 32 weeks as they thought I was going into pre term labour but thankfully nothing happened. I've been on complete rest the past 3 weeks but still getting really intense (but not painful) tightenings all day every day, some days are worse than others. Last night the period pain/aching started. Ive taken paracetamol which hadn't done anything and I'm about to have a bath to see if that helps. I've had no loss or bleeding. Do I need to ring someone or just see how I go today?

This sounds like the cervix is softening up in preparation for labour. I'd suggest seeing how you feel after your bath and perhaps ringing the midwife for a chat.

Could be you won't make 40 weeks however 35+ is still prem so talking it over with a midwife wouldn't hurt

Thanks for your reply. Should I ring my community midwife or the hospital do you think?

Ring the hospital, likely that midwife will just tell you to do that anyway. Definatly sounds to me like the very start of early labour, however it can be like this a while. I had it with my son at 35 weeks, had the steroid injection, but then got to 40 weeks at 2cm, he didn't arrive till 41+5. How's the pain now? X

It's more like crampy aches (like I get with a heavy period) than pain. Just off for a bath so hopefully that will settle things but will ring labour ward if not just to get checked out I think. Times like this it would be handy if I could examine my own cervix!

Lol I know, sounds like something is happening, so its best to be checked just to be sure. With my oldest I didn't have the cramps it was just regular uncomfortable tightnings, with my 2nd they started as dull low period pains that was constantly there, then the regular tightnings started I had him 5 days later so definatly best to get checked

Ring the labour ward now. You could well be in labour.

They calmed down by themselves after all that! I will be very surprised if this baby stays in til his due date though. I feel like a ticking time bomb at the mo