Is this the start of labour? F'ing painful!

[mrsnlw]

Ive been losing my plug for around 12 days (39+3 today). Yesterday I felt great in the morning, went for a lovely stroll in the sunshine. After lunch I had the sudden urge to go to the toilet IYGWIM and started with backache, some very mild period cramps and just felt out of sorts. Increase in BH too. Baby was also very quiet compared to normal.

Throughout the night had a crappy night sleep with a tender bump and pains down below. This morning I have woke with very sharp heavy pains in the privates and bum. Ive only been up since 645 but have had at least 4 of these sensations which stop me in my tracks along with BH and backache and I actually want to cry with the pain. They only last say 5-10 seconds each time but are very intense. They feel alot more painful than head fitting pains and very sharp. Have sent DH off to work and said I'll call him back if I need him.

Help! [Sad]

Sounds like the start of labour to me. Since the pains are far apart this stage could last a while, but I don't think you should be alone in case they ramp up quickly, either call DH back or get someone else to be with you. Take some paracetamol, try a hot bath, or do you have a TENS machine (not at the same time as the bath though!)
Bag packed and yellow book at the ready? Good luck!!

Sounds like it to me too, the feeling 'off' bit before. Good luck!

I feel like such a wimp and wanna cry. I also dont wanna get my hopes up incase its nothing Sat bouncing on my ball atm and havent had any of the pains down below for at least 20 mins. The back pain definitely feels worse than yday.

When would ypu call the hospital for advice if it continues?

Called my mw who advised bath and paracetamol. They have now tailed off. Still bad backache though. Had a bounce on my ball but hasn't restarted them. Was hoping this was it

It probably is - it can take a while to get going - I was advised to keep moving: walking and so on. Get your bags ready - on my second I had to do this with contractions 90 seconds apart - not a good idea. Good luck!!!

I had those 5 second stabbing pains that made me cry, but they weren't labour (sorry!). I think it was just the weight of the baby. If it is any comfort the actual real labour contractions were much less painful than the stabbing pains!