Is this the start of something?

[Magicpink]

Hey ladies...just wondering what your thoughts are on this...i'm 38 weeks tomorrow, and have had period type pains for 2 days which have worsened today and i also now have shooting pains/cramps down the insides of my thighs and in my bum. Not contracting sensations though. Does this possibly mean things are starting or is it nothing? Baby is unusually wriggly as well. It's making walking quite hard at the moment. Does anyone have any experience of this at all?

Yes. Of course something is starting. It's just not much of an indication when things are going to finish iyswim.

It always amazes me how rude some people on MN can be. Particularly when the OP is clearly a first time mum going into labour.

Sounds like slow start to labour - give your midwife a ring, she'll probably be able to tell you more. Good luck and let us all know how it goes! :)

Phoenix...thank you for that...i thought so a bit too. I realise my message sounded a bit naive. Actually this is my 2nd baby but my first labour was pretty awful and not one bit "normal" from the word go. It was no kind of yard-stick or point of reference for me to think back on and think, oh yes this is what's happening etc... So i just asked in case anyone may have experienced anything similar and be able to offer me any reassurance or the benefit of their knowledge (smile)

don't worry - there is always one person in my experience on here - who has something to say that's not that nice. I have the same feelings today re: period cramps and have no idea if it means anything as a first timer. 37 weeks here. hope you are ok OP. This pregnancy malarky is hard isnt it? Urgh...

My message was supposed to be supportive. Midwives and many professionals dismiss a labouring woman until 'active labour' which is when you are at least 3cm dilated. Policies and protocols deny the fact that many womens bodies are active well before that and that imo labour should be defined from when a woman starts to acknowledge that 'something is happening'.

It is so disheartening to hear 'no you're not in labour' because you are not measuring at an arbritary amount, when actually, your body IS working towards your baby being born.

Unfortunately though, this stage can last several days or even weeks and is absolutely impossible to guess. HCPs are not interested as they want you at the last possible moment.

So 'Of course something is starting' is simply an acknowlegement that you have every right to be positive about progression, and the 'no indication of the end' is to ensure you don't panic and ring your birth partner. Although, it is certainly possible that the baby could come soon.

So I'm sorry that you found my post neither reassuring or my knowledge beneficial. That wasn;t my intention.

Ok thank you...i guess it was just the way it came across in typed format! No worries. And thank you for your follow-up message...that makes lots of sense to me, although i can see it from the HCP's point of view, but as a possibly-labouring mother, it can feel so much more significant than they seem to ackowledge! Which is why forums like this are a wonderful thing...a place to share and converse. I've learnt more from people on here than i have from any other source. I hope baby comes sooner rather than later...positive thoughts as you say Starlight...

hello there
Glad this is sorted out.
Best of luck