Labour - symptom spotting

[Apparentlychilled]

Hello all
I'm 36+1 with DC3. No1 came at 37+1 and no2 came at 36+1. Both were pretty quick deliveries z(about 8 hrs and 5 hrs respectively).

MW and consultant advised me to be ready for an early arrival so hospital bag been ready for ages, and car seat is in car. I've never been in tenderhooks like this before- both times I was surprised by my waters breaking and then contractions starting an hour or two later. I feel quite "heavy" in my pelvis, not like the baby is going to fall out, which I remember From no2, but just like my period is coming. Bump is really hard and baby moving lots. Been like this for 12hrs, on and off but doesn't seem to be getting worse. And waters are still intact.

I'm trying to tell myself to get a grip and to stop analysing every twinge. It feels so weird to feel so in limbo.

Can anyone talk some sense into me please? I need to accept I may have 6 more weeks to go!

Anyone?

I had this with DD2, DD1 was born on her due date, from about 36 weeks I was having Braxton hicks lasting a good couple of hours, strong enough to lie down but not strong enough to worry me they were doing anything.

I was convinced DD2 would be early. Nope born due date + 1

Am now 23 weeks with DC3 so it'll be interesting to see if I have the BH again. I had nothing first time round.

Thanks Handrags - nice to know I'm not alone! Good luck w no3!

Hi chilled I am 40 + 2 and have been having strong BH for the past week on and off, sometimes they become more regular and strong and then they tail off! Went for a sweep today and was told that I am 1cm with soft cervix... I was secretly hoping for more like 3cm! Oh well... I am analysing every twinge and its doig my head in!

I thought my waters had gone today so went to MAC- embarrassingly, it was just discharge (though I possibly had a show while I was there).

I went to the labour ward as thought my waters had gone at 34 weeks with DD2 but had wet myself. Whoops

I felt like a bit of a wally so it's nice to hear about someone doing similar! I think wishful thinking may have played a decent part of it- I've had enough of being pg!

I think I have kind of accepted I may have 4 or 5 weeks more to go (I've 3.5 till EDD) but tonight my bump hurts, low down, kind if like period pains but no increasing in frequency or intensity, just a dull ache. Waters still intact though, so don't think anything is starting. Anyhow had crampy or stretching pains at 36 weeks or more?