How quickly would preterm labour happen?

[BoyMeetsWorld]

I'm not saying I'm having preterm labour - I'm quite probably being paranoid.

I'm 20 weeks and have been having quite strong (uncomfortable) braxton hicks since yesterday - about 10 a day though not necessarily all within an hour etc they just come & go. Sometimes I'm not certain if it's just baby moving or gas etc as I've never had them before with DS1 but whatever it is, it's a noticeably uncomfortable feeling.

And I've got increasingly bad pressure/pain around my cervix - sometimes stabby, sometimes just a stretching ache like when coming on my period.

Question is: I've already left a message for my MW but she doesn't work weekends. If something was wrong, how quickly would it happen? Do I really need to bother the local birth unit or go to hospital (not even sure which section I'd need to go to!!) or should it be fine to wait until Monday to talk to her?

Thanks, feeling bit panicky.

I have no idea if this is normal or not (my first pregnancy) but I do know if you are worried you should be able to call your early pregnancy unit at the hospital for advice, and if they want to check you out they'll tell you to come in. Just ring your hospital main number and ask - better to put your mind at rest than get stressed. Hope you're ok x

Hiya Op.

Look on your maternity notes. There should be a number for emergencies or if not labour ward. Give them a call. Just ask for some advice, describe how your feeling as you did in your post.

Chances are your going to be fine bh will settle down& maybe you've been on your feet alot this week, reason for heavy feeling.

But its better you take advice & be checked if necessary. At the end of the day, Thats what they are there for.

Lots of luck. Let us know how you get on.

Thank you both

Yes, give them a call. a friend of our went into pre-term labour, albeit at 14 weeks and the baby literally dropped out within 30 minutes in the bathroom. Even the ambulance didn't make it in time so things can happen quickly.

Sorry, 24 weeks not 14. That would have been really bad.

Cheese that must have been so scary for them!

OP if you're worried call someone but just to reassure you with dc2 I had BH (not painful tightenings) everyday from 16 weeks sometimes every two minutes for hours on end! It was uncomfortable and I often had to stop making dinner/rest when walking etc

Cheese did she have any warning that it would happen apart from the BH?

How terrifying. Long shot, but did the baby make it???

No warning whatsoever. The baby did make it. He was in hospital for 4 months but is now a fairly normal 2 year old. They were lucky as the paramedics arrived minutes after the baby was born and they were pretty close to a major childrens hospital. I don't know what would have happened it that hadn't been the case.

DH and I still talk about it all the time as the dad (who ended up delivering the boy) is of the very useless, weed smoking type who generally can't tell his arse from his elbow. I think any parent would have been in shock but we are surprised he ever had sex again. They are now expecting DC2 and all is well so far.