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

15 stitches?? Shit!

I am trying to focus on the positives and do stuff that will be hard once the baby gets here but at this point with carpal tunnel / PGP and sciatica / general pain everywhere it's hard to actually do ANYTHING. It's hard to find a comfortable position to lie in and moving around hurts. Big sigh.

Alex 37 weeks is considered full term and I was mentally ready for the baby to come early as I had a stitch in my cervix until then! As it is I'm 39+4 today so he must be well cooked. Reckon I could deal with the waiting better if it wasn't so bloody uncomfortable!

pink sorry to hear no progress yet, losing the plug must be a good sign, let's hope all these aches etc are our bodies' ways of getting ready and we'll have super easy active labours.

afrikat I've found sewing or little craft projects are really good for distracting me and focussing my mind away from everything else. Although you said you have carpal tunnel, which affects hands, doesn't it? So maybe that's not such a useful suggestion!

tiger sounds like things are happening, fingers crossed it tips over the edge today!

I've just been flicking through my leaflet on labour from the midwife and it does say the first stage of labour can go on for a long time over days and days - I had no idea! At least it's "normal" if that makes sense, although still sounds really uncomfortable Sorry the waiting is tough piz, you def deserve a birth which is as quick and straightforward as poss at the end of this so I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed for you.