Signs of labour or just BH?

[Madallie]

Just wondered if anyone has any experience/advise?

I am 39+2 and have been having what I assume are BH this evening since about 8.30pm. They are quite a painful tightening over my bump but the pain is quite concentrated low down - where you would experience period pain. They don't seem to have a pattern to them but some of them have been quite painful where I have had to get up and change positions.

Just wondered if these do sound like BH or if this could be the beginnings of labour? I remember reading that BH can be uncomfortable but not painful and that you don't get many at one time whereas these are quite painful and have been happening for almost hrs.

Anyone any experience of this?

[HopeS01]

So frustrating!!!!
How are you coping? I feel like I'm actually losing the plot!

[Steffyjayne23]

Nope sweep booked for next Tuesday =(

[Yogibear72]

Hmmm mine seems to be progressing. I was monitored at the hospital today and they see signs of early labour. Midwife who did an internal exam said she was surprised I was still walking as the head is about as far engaged as it could be. They wanted to keep me in for 24 hours but that's only because I'm not yet 37 weeks (36+2). I came home because my OH isn't due back from his business trip till this evening and I'm determined that he is with me.
Having said all of that they still can't say whether it will be hours, days or weeks. I've had to tell work to invoke maternity leave. I hope it's not weeks

[Madallie]

Think I'm just coping by keeping busy with toddler etc. not so much time to think as when it was my first and all my time was my own. However I am very tired and feeling a bit sick tonight - clinging to hope that this could be a sign but actually really don't think so. Have a mw app tomorrow (never know which one I am going to see) one said they will do a sweep at 40 weeks with second baby the other said they wouldn't. I would like one as that's what seemed to set me off with dc1, who knows if I'll get one though!

[Ilovekittyelise]

im having another sweep tomoro; had one monday. REALLY thought things were kicking off yesterday but nothing happened. 40+2 (by their dates) tomoro (i think 39+6) & being induced sunday if nothings happened. boo.

[HopeS01]

I've got a MW appointment today and I'm going to ask for a sweep. It's my first baby... I don't know how it works with timing but it's worth asking.
Yogi, I'm sorry to say that I'm also "fully engaged" but a week later, no baby!
I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks and stabbing pains in the evenings, and tummy and back aches on and off throughout the day. Anyone else?
I know I'm only one day overdue but I'm feeling very sorry for myself. Starting to feel like he will never come.

[Yogibear72]

Well I went back in for more monitoring today as I was still having contractions although they hadn't progressed to anything. And another internal exam confirmed that I wasn't dilating. However when they did a wee test there was blood in my urine this time which suggests a urine infection. So the upshot was that I was given antibiotics and sent home. So a bit of a false start for me

[Madallie]

So, had my sweep yesterday at 40 weeks. Was really hopeful before hand because just 'feel' ready. However, don't think I should get my hopes up of anything happening anytime soon. Apparently I am only a finger tip dilated and 50% effaced. I'm really disappointed as really didn't want to go overdue, well not by much anyways. Looks like I could be in for the long-haul! Feeling v sorry for myself!

[HopeS01]

Hi Yogi, Madallie, sounds like all 3 of us had disappointing days yesterday!
My midwife wouldn't give me a sweep or even an internal examination to give me an indication of how things are going!
I felt really low all evening , not seeing her again until Wednesday when I will be +7. Being overdue is really miserable!

Madallie I completely understand when you say you 'feel' ready, I'm exactly the same and that's probably why we're so frustrated! I probably wouldn't mind so much if I had few bit on my "to do" list before he arrives ... Instead I am just trying to pass the time . It's a strange kind of limbo.

Yogi so sorry to hear about the infection. Hopefully a couple of days of antibiotics will help and baby will arrive soon after.

Hang in there girls, can't be too long now x

[Madallie]

Oh sorry you're feeling this way too Hope and Yogi. I haven't even felt well since the sweep, very off colour and feel very uncomfortable and achey low in my abdomen. Don't think this is a sign though as not really like period pain, think it's just where the internal was uncomfortable and she was having to reach around because i was so minimally dilated. If you can even call it that. Mw said I could have another sweep on Mon but I'm not sure now as I feel so horrible. I may just wait until next Thursday when I'll be a week overdue. At least it might be more likely to work.

[HopeS01]

Yes, that's the only thing I find comforting, that by +7 the sweep might actually work. I've been out for a walk today and now I'm bouncing on my ball (feel no changes!)
I'm so sorry for you! That sounds nasty I have everything crossed that it works for you in the next couple of days.
Let us know!

[Ilovekittyelise]

dont be disheartened. when i had sweep yesterday was obvious progress from monday and have now lost quute a bit of plug. im quite achey and feel like when i get induced on sunday it will be way less awful than thelast time.

[HopeS01]

How far overdue are you, ilovekittyelise? I'm not being offered an induction until +12 (and apparently that depends on how busy the hospital is!)
I feel so jealous of you all making progress

[Madallie]

So, went to assessment unit today because I just wasn't feeling right, nauseas, dizzy etc. I also felt that they'd been slightly reduced fetal movements. They monitored me, all was fine with movement but because I still felt sick etc the sent me to se doctor.

Basically, doctor did another internal, he was attempting a sweep, said he couldn't do it and does not know how the midwife had done a sweep yesterday and that I wasn't even a fingertip dilated and not 50% effaced as she had said. . This has really disheartened me. He also said that although I am 40 weeks, I am only measuring 34 weeks! I have no idea how this can be true. All the way along, I have measured 2 cm less than weeks I am but all the midwives I have seen have said that's fine and it's only if you get to 3 cm less that they would start to investigate.

This doctor is now saying I am measuring 6 weeks behind! I'm going for fetal monitoring on sat and sun and having growth scan on mon. I'm not even worried about movements and the trace from today looked fine. And to be told now out of the blue that baby is measuring this small is such a shock and a worry. I just dont know what to think.

[HopeS01]

Oh Madallie, so sorry! This is the last thing you need. Try not to worry (easier said than done) but I don't understand now the measurements could be so far out either? Was he right on your pubic bone? I only ask because sometimes I've noticed that they miss and I have to mention it...
Glad the monitoring went okay. The growth scan will be exciting, one last look at baby before he/she is born! I had one a few weeks ago and although his head and limbs were measuring right in the middle, his abdomen was off the scale fatty already.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow. I hope it all goes well and you leave feeling much happier x

[Madallie]

Thank you. Baby is moving like mad this evening so am not worried about that, just so confused with measurements. I've had 3 different midwives measure me over the weeks and they can't all have measured so far out. I don't like to say this doctor was wrong cos this is what he's trained to do, but I just can't see how he can be correct. I'd understand 1 or 2 cm out but not 6 cm. I think I'm going to ask to see a doctor tomorrow for clarification when I go for monitoring. I don't feel right waiting until mon. I should have quizzed the doctor more about this today but it took me by such surprise that I didn't ask anything.

[Ilovekittyelise]

sorry to hear you are having a nightmare madallie. if its any consolation i measured 38 on tuesday and 41 on thursday so its hardly an exact science!

im currently 40+3 (although i know by ovulation im 40+0 - 40+1 max). because of a medical condition "standard practice" is 38 week induction (was induced at 39+3 with dc1) but this time iv pushed (no pun intended) for slightly over term and had twice weekly ctg and dopplers.

im pretty resigned to induction on sunday now but hopeful it will be a better experience than last time. i think the sweeps iv had have helped but i did let them do a super vigorous job which i had to do some serious breathing through!!!!

[Ilovekittyelise]

hope....believe me when i say you are lucky to have the luxury of time on your side; i know its miserable at this stage but having had internals early on in both pregnancies due to pressure for early delivery, i would far rather start all that well past term when theres more of a chance of success/not ending up being needed. its not a nice process and whilst its definitely helped in my case, the false hope of it all starting is quite annoying!!!!

[HopeS01]

You're right, I know I'm making a big deal out of nothing. He will come eventually!
Apologies for the essay but I'm excited this morning

I noticed I was having a lot of "BH" last night and they were quite uncomfortable so I started timing them at around 11pm. They were 6 minutes apart and very regular, lasting just over a minute every time. I say they were regular, they were between 6.00 and 6.30 intervals. Is that regular?
I called the ward just to see if it was getting my hopes up about nothing and the MW said it was likely to be the beginning but it could last for days. She told me to get some sleep. It took a while because of the discomfort and excitement but I slept for 4 hours. This morning the BH have slowed right down BUT I feel like I'm carrying a bowling ball now! TMI alert: when I went for a wee and wiped it actually felt like a bulge. Is that normal?! So sorry.
I'm on the ball now and I've been pacing around for about an hour. Hopefully this is the beginning (even if it does take a few days!)

[Yogibear72]

How's it going Hope anymore progress? Sounds like you are on your way.

I hope all is well Madallie and the growth scan goes ok tomorrow and the monitoring has gone well. It's hard not too worry. I measured 33cm last week at nearly 37 weeks and seem to have lost a cm somewhere as it was supposed to be 34cm at 34 weeks but then bump has dropped. At the scan last week and the baby is average size.

Ilove hope all is well

[Madallie]

Thanks Yogi, monitoring has all been fine. Baby is moving well so hopefully scan will be fine.

Not that I'm thinking this is in any way a sign of labour (I've given up with that now) but been having ongoing backache and period type pains on mind off since late afternoon. I know this could last for days yet but at least I t's making me think (hope) that things are moving in the right direction.

Sending good labour inducing vibes to you all.

[Fedup1992]

Hey I'm 40 weeks today! Ha a show yesterday an more of one today! Few contractions then nothing. Teaser!!! How was ur monitoring over this weekend???

I'm booked in for a sweep Thursday so fingers crossed for a valentines baby xxx

[HopeS01]

Hi all,

Still absolutely nothing for me. Days of slightly painful/very uncomfortable contractions (often regular), lots of back and stomach aches and terrible stabbing pains!! But it always turns out to be nothing.
I'm fed up of hearing that he will come in his own time, I'm really low and just want to fall asleep and not wake up until I'm in labour
I'm going to beg the midwife for an induction when I see her on Wednesday.

How is everyone else doing?

[Madallie]

Sorry to hear there are no babies yet. None here either.

Monitoring and scan all went well. Doctor has no concerns he said, which is a relief. While I was there I was so tempted to say, "can't you just induce me while I'm here? I am 4 days overdue!" Somehow don't think they would have gone for it. Also, I'm aware that induction will work best if cervix us favourable which last thurs mine wasn't so I guess the longer I leave it the more chance I have of a successful induction. Although still hoping to go into labour naturally of course.

Achey again thus afternoon/evening but it all seems to die down when I go to bed. Find it hard to sleep, even more so since I heard most people go into labour at night. It's ridiculous, but I kind of lie there 'waiting' for it to all kick off. Not a very clever idea. I'm shattered.

[HopeS01]

Glad everything went well Madallie, when is your next sweep booked?

I had a sweep this afternoon and I'm going for a review at 9am tomorrow. I'm in the diary for a induction (yey!) but hopefully the sweep will work before then! I'm very hopeful that things get going overnight, I'd like to avoid induction if possible.
The midwife said I was 2cm but easily stretched to 3 because my cervix has thinned so all favourable.
Fingers crossed for everyone else!
Xxx