Am I in labour

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasExhausted]

I feel really stupid as this is my second and I thought I would know what I'm doing by now.

I'm 40+2 days pregnant and had a sweep yesterday. Contractions started at 8pm last night, they got quite painful (couldn't talk through them) but only progressed to 40 seconds every 5 to 6 minutes.

I got really tired and had a sleep for 3 hours, everything I heard says you can't sleep through contractions so now I'm wondering if I'm really in labour.

Got up again now and am having contractions / painful braxton hicks every 5 - 6 minutes again. Any ideas, labour, false labour, early labour - I feel knackered and pissed off.

Have you phoned your midwife or the labour ward? They should be able to tell you if you are in active labour or not. I don't think you are stupid for asking - I'm only on baby number 1 but I think it can be confusing about when you should actually go into the labour ward. Maybe try to keep active as I have heard being up and walking around can help things move along quicker! Good luck!

Thanks I think this is it, had bloody show. But it's taking forever.

Good luck OP!

I'm on dc5 and by no means an expert ( contractions/ bh can be so similar sometimes) but I read contractions last 1 min or over and I think you can still sleep through early labour contractions too. Fingers crossed it is the start, good luck!

Thanks, it's dinfinitly getting more painful. I just really don't want to turn up at the hospital only to be told I'm only 1 cm dilated.

Just wish my waters would go, it would remove any ambiguity.

terilous dc5 wow, and you're still not an expert on childbirth. I have no hope knowing what my body is up to

Sounds like this is it! I've had 3 and every one was different. How long was your first if I were you I'd get yourself down the ward. I've never had my waters go without being broken...
My first was 25 hours and my second was 45 minutes.

Can you feel yourself how dilated you are?

Hi atomic first was very different. Waters broke but contractions didn't start for a few hours after that. She was born 36 hours after my waters went.

This time, I had a sweep (yesterday), started contracting at 8pm yesterday. Contractions are getting stronger and longer 1 min 10 secs now but they are still quite far apart (5 to 6 minutes).
I've just had more bloody show appear which makes me think I can't be all that dilated if the plug is still coming away.

Have no idea how dilated I am and I'm not sure if I can reach to check.

Hope you are getting along well now. Looking forward to hearing good news!

Thanks, it was labour and he has arrived, came early this morning. We have called him Nathaniel.

Congratulations x x

Congratulations lovely name!

Congratulations!

Congratulations op

Congratulations! I love that you updated us all. Hope both you and Nathaniel are well and happy! xxxxx