How long can this go on??

[Pizdets]

Hi,

I'm 38 + 4 today and am fed up with cramps/backache etc.

Last Monday I got almost 24 hours of cramping which settled down into distinct contraction-like pains by the evening, then passed off. Had cramps on and off all week, then yesterday cramps startedin waves again about 1pm and have been going ever since, but not getting any worse and sometimes fading out altogether before coming back.

I'll take the dog out this morning again, sat in a ball bouncing all of last night and drinking raspberry leaf tea but just feels like this might go on forever! It's not painful most of the time but is uncomfortable. Is it normal to get cramps like these for so long before labour? Does it even mean anything at all or could it go on for weeks more? Would love to hear any similar experiences or words of advice/encouragement!

Thanks!

Piz

I'm feeling the same. 39+4 now. Had cramps all night after ball bouncing and raspberry leaf drinking and my hips and pelvis feel so stiff today. Fingers crossed we'll meet our babies soon.

im 37+3 and been getting period pain like cramps for over a week, my mw said this could go on for weeks before baby makes an appearance!! you're closer to the end than me though so hopefully won't be too long!!

Urgh, roofio how depressing! Hope the fact your body's warming up means you won't have too long to wait!

pink hoping the cramps develop into something for you. They keep me awake a bit, but then I also find myself waiting for the next one and lying there half asleep trying to work out of they're getting stronger and how far apart they are. I need to switch off! Agreed on the stiff hips, I got some agonising pelvic pains last week after stomping round on extra-long dog walks so have had to take it a bit easier since then.

to you both for replying and hope our babies come nice and quickly and easily (and soon) now we've put in all this groundwork!

pizdets I'm 39+6, and yesterday downloaded an app for recording contractions. Might help at night if you're having trouble sleeping, you just press the button for start and stop and it tells you the interval... Good luck everyone!!

I had this with both of mine, a long 'latent' stage followed by a quick active labour. hope same happens for you, fingers crossed.

Ohhh, littleducks that's great to hear, fingers crossed for all of us here too!

fastwindow thanks for the app recommendation, I've found one and downloaded it, but I worry if I use it in the night then I'll wake up properly and focus on it, rather than being half asleep. Catch 22 really! Plus they're often not distinct, I feel them start but they fade off gradually and I doze off then notice they've gone. Am trying to stay active and chilled out but I'm such a control-freak, it's hard not to obsess!

pizdets any progress? I woke up today on my due date feeling sick with (tmi) loose bowels. Also feel hot flushy. Off to midwife in a bit so see what she says.

Oooh, pinkapple sounds very promising!! Huge fingers crossed for you today that this is IT! Not much going on here, lots of dog walking, sex, curry etc but even the cramps have died down - at least I'm not in pain while I wait. Come to think of it, I did wake in the night feeling hot which I thought was odd, but it didn't develop into anything (boo).

Due date baby would be a good result, good luck!

Piz

midwife gave me a sweep (which was not anywhere near as bad as I expected!) and said I'm 1-2cm dilated! She thinks labour could start in the next 48hrs so I'm just relaxing this afternoon. Might not be a due date baby but I might miss x factor this weekend lol. Nothing happening yet but fingers crossed.

Hi, placeholding to see how it progresses for you all. I'm 38+5 with my first and not a single solitary twinge, cramp or any indication I will be having a baby yet! I'm not impatient as such, but I am beginning to worry I won't know what labour is when it starts. That's ridiculous right?!

I'm in exactly same boat! 39+6 (due date tomorrow!) and had night after night of cramps and pains that make me feel like I am on the verge of labour but nothing happens!! I hate the thought this could go on for weeks but feel like actual contractions are never going to happen

im only 34 weeks n ive had it for a week since getting the flu... ive got aaages yet surely it cant do it for a whole 6 weeks further? ive been waking up every night with it x

n thats not ridiculous kiki im on baby #4 n i still cant distinguish early labour pains vs 'common' pregnancy pains x

Don't say that honey86 - I am so worried about not recognising labour after all these other pains!

Oh pink so excited for you! Let us know how you get on. Rumor has it that full moons bring on babies and there's one tonight so you never know!

After a couple of days of nothing I've got cramps again this evening. Don't feel too hopeful but looking forward to another night of pain

In my many twilight hours of googling I did read a comment from someone whose midwife told them that even if a pain wasn't labour, it was preparing their body and bringing their baby closer to them. I liked this, made me have a little hormonal cry to myself!

Good luck to everyone!

Piz

youd definately recognise active labour theres no mistaking that.. it just the very early latent phase aches n cramps i cant, when i was induced with dd i couldnt tell if the pains down there were usual or whether things were starting... (like stabby pains down there)... turns out it was neither, just 'prostin pains' a cervix reaction to the pessary- so the midwife said.

if only labour symptoms were clear cut and had no comparison to other things... think it would save a few trips to triage.

hopefully you ladies are on the right track. im cramping again in my lower back but thats about it so off to bed x

Think I might have had a bit of a show but not sure. It's not (sorry tmi) mucus, just like old Brown blood. No contractions or anything. Gonna get an early night incase things kick off in the night. Eek! Sending out labour vibes to all.

good luck pink

Hope you had a new arrival over the weekend pink!

I had 48 hours of cramps and feeling sick Fri/Sat and felt v sorry for myself, yesterday it had pretty much passed off and today I feel ok, although still some cramping coming and going. I just feel exhausted by it all and want to either have a break or for things to kick off, not to be stuck in limbo, like I have for 2 weeks now!
All my friends seem to feel fine until the last minute when they pop out a baby, it's not fair!

How is everyone else getting on?

NOTHING for me! Twinges, cramps, a random contraction here and there but nothing else yet. Am 40+3 and feel like it will never happen. And suddenly developed sciatica, great!

Oh boo afrikat that sucks. Everything I've read says cramps are the body's way of getting ready but how ready does it need to be

I agree, the longer this goes on, the less real it feels, I would have been totally ready at 38 weeks but now I feel less mentally prepared than before! Rest assured, it WILL happen eventually, it has to, right? Right??

Hi piz - good luck!! Like what the midwife said about the pain preparing your body. Your cervix is doing well! Keep us posted on how you get on.

Also am I being silly or isn't 38 weeks still slightly early? I thought 40 weeks was due time?

No news here went for a walk yday, ate a tin of pineapple, cried a bit but still no baby. 40+4 today and yday mil told me dh was 4 days late for her. Clutching at straws a bit. She also told me she had 15 stitches with him Think I lost some plug last night too but I'm not sure if it was as was not long after dtd but was like jelly bits (sorry tmi) not like man juice . Lots of cramps bh too but nothing I would consider painful, just uncomfortable.

39 + 2 here and was up for two hours last night with painful contractions. Stabby pains in groin today and loads of BH. Where is this baby?!
Dd1 was 5 days late but I'm ready for this one now #whinge