Could this be the very start of labour??

[Darksideofthemoon88]

I'm 37+4 and we're expecting DD a little early. Nothing that I would consider contractions (not that I've had a baby before, but I assume I'd notice!), but...

Nasty niggly crampy lower back pain, getting worse

Pains in thighs - there all the time, but kinda coming in waves to right thigh. Worse on standing

Feeling a bit sick

Increase in appetite

Leaking some kind of vaginal fluid - not enough to be waters, but definitely far more than usual

Generally achey back and hips, again getting worse

Pressure/pain 'down below'

Frequent bowel motions, pretty loose (sorry )

Baby not as active as she's been over the last few days

Could this be the start of something....or just wishful thinking?!

Go and get checked.

Alright really, sillybilly . The pains have got worse and spread round to my front (at times), but I've had no further leakage of fluid. I'm quite uncomfortable standing up or walking now and it kinda feels like I've got a weighted tennis bal between my legs - not sure if she's dropped a bit more possibly? Still feeling a bit sick and have diarrhoea, but no contractions or anything.

The pains probably are contractions OP. esepcially now they've moved to your front (you are describing both my early labours) they are just not the string type that you can time or need to push with, (you will notice the change from contractions to the pushing kind) the pressure you feel would have me wanting to go in and at least get checked out tbh. Labour can up it's pace very suddenly (mine did both times and i suddenly knew i needed to go in) have you got anyone with you that could take you in?

Have you had a feel to make sure it's not actually her head that you can feel between your legs? It can happen.

No-one with me atm, but my parents are just down the road so I can easily get hold of them if required. I double-checked and, whilst I can feel her head through the vaginal wall (well, I assume it's her head - unless there's anything else hard and bony that might be pressing against the vaginal wall down there!), it's definitely not in the vaginal canal - just very low I guess! They don't want me to come in atm, and tbh I don't feel as though I'm about to give birth imminently, but I am hoping that it's the start of things...

Ok, well good you have parents nearby. Get them on standby and just relax and enjoy your last precious hours without a miniature human to be forever responsible for

And keep us updated when you have some news! Xx

They're on standby . Sadly I think they may not be required tonight as the pain seems to be easing . Bugger!

Erm OP, sorry to be graphic, but if you pass a mucus plug (it is pretty big) then be ready to get yourself to the hospital. You WILL know when it comes.

I think I've been losing it in little bits for a few weeks....

Darkside please go and get yourself checked out at maternity.

If I would be you, I would be going to the maternity ward. Just to be on the Safe side.. And don't feel bad you are wasting their time. That is why they are there and get paid
The saddest part you hear a lot from doctors and midwife "if it is your first it will take a while"
Everytime I heard them saying it to me I just said " every woman is different, so please do not say that again"

It really sounds like you are in labour!

My labour started similarly. Plug went at 9am and lots of liquid too. Was soaking pads all day went in that evening to be told "something is happening' and sent home. Spent the next day out and about with mil with contractions (they had eased during the night) and she went home. At 11pm I couldnt sleep was in pain and felt the need to be in hospital. We went to the hospital to be told I was 3cm. Midwife wasn't sure if my waters had gone or not so kept me on monitoring ward. At 4.20 they checked me again still only 3cm so sent now exh home to sleep for "a nice long time" checked me again at ten to six because I was pacing and I was 8cm and then admitted to the labour ward. My ds was born at 7.32. 46hrs and 32 mins after labour begun. :)

Good news is as it was a slow labour I didn't tear or need to be cut (much to my health visitors surprise)

Go and get monitored OP. Insist!
Good luck.

Well I'm still at home and still no baby! Disappointed that nothing got going during the night. Seeing my midwife at 1200 though. Fingers crossed for good news!

How did it go with the midwife, Dark?

Typically, it was someone completely different who I've never seen before - I've been lucky enough to see the same lady all the way through till now so I know her and she knows me. Didn't feel as confident in this one, but that's probably an issue with me rather than with her. All she said really was that baby was well engaged and I could go into labour without her engaging any further, to keep an eye out for further fluid loss and report to MAU, and that I can have a sweep if she hasn't arrived by my next appt. Feeling a bit down and frustrated tbh - just want this baby out!