Cramps every few minutes

[Shaziful0x]

Hi,

This is my first baby so I don't know what labour actually feels like but I've been getting menstrual-like cramps in my lower abdomen that are pretty painful when lying down. They come every few minutes but haven't been timing them per-say..

As I said, they feel like cramps and not what I'd consider "contractions" so don't know what to think as I've had braxton hicks for the past 8 or so weeks that have increased with intensity and imagined contractions to be like that but with pain lol..

Could this be the "latent" phase of labour or should I ring the labour ward as it's coming every few minutes? :( I don't know if anyone will reply to this due to the time but hey..

are you full term?
maybe ring the labour ward and they will advise.

Good luck

Sorry, forgot to mention I'm 6 days overdue.

Thanks TanteRose, I'm going to ring them now.

Hi, that sounds very much like the latent phase starting to me. Just like period pains. Mine lasted a long time before the real show began.

p.s. How exciting :-) Good luck xx

My latent phase lasting a good day or so at home, but defo sounds promising!

So many people said to me "oh you'll just known wheb your in labour " so I expected to be in agony from the get go

It wasn't ! I went in as waters had broke and he had pooped so had to be hooked up to monitors , I was 5cm dilated and contractions comin every few mins and it felt like bad period pain to be honest (aside from horrible back to back scrapey spine pain lol )

Sounds like it could be it !!

Well it's been almost 24 hours with the cramps coming on strong and painful every few minutes on average. However, I went into the labour ward and was checked. I'm not even fully effaced so not dilating yet.. Apparently my baby is posterior, with her back against my spine, which is most likely causing this long, drawn-out phase. It's so painful I don't know how long I can last :( and I've had no sleep for 24 hours (after only a 2 hour sleep!)

Oh shaziful it's miserable when the latent phase is so sore and slow. Try to rest when you can, even if you are managing to snatch 30 sec of rest between contractions it is something. Also try a bath or hot shower on your back to relieve the pain. Have you got a tens machine? Massage or even just pressure to the lower back/buttocks can also help when it's a back to back labour. Keep your strength up by eating and drinking (when you are not managing to rest).

Bear in mind that even if you are still at an early stage, if the pain and fatigue get too much, the labour ward will help you. Get your birth partner to advocate on your behalf if necessary as you won't feel up to fighting that fight.

Good luck!

Despite the fact that I've missed two days of sleep with the pains still constantly present, I was only 1cm when they checked me again, so they didn't want to help me with pain relief until I was at least 3-4cm dilated.. It's taken me this long to get this far :( I don't know how long I have to put up with this before I'm 3-4cm! I feel so defeated because when I'm at the labour ward, my contractions slowed down and I managed to nap for the shortest time in between contractions. Now I'm back home, they've came back stronger and I get the worst back ache when I try to sleep..

Hang in there tiger. I found the long latent phase stressful and confusing. Thinking dillating thoughts for you.

I had this for 2 and a half days before going in to labour. Uncomfortable, couldn't sleep, had to breathe through them sometimes. Hot baths and showers helped.... However, I still knew when I went in to proper labour/contractions which happened when my waters popped. Contractions felt quite different!

Take some paracetamol and have a bath. People don't tell you about this, it can be horrible and so painful.

Have you got, or can you borrow, a TENS machine? They can make a tremendous difference with a back-to-back baby.

The fact that they're stronger at home is a good sign. It means that you're relaxed and things are progressing, albeit slowly. You can take paracetamol - sounds lame but can take the edge off.

Every contraction takes you closer to meeting your baby. Good luck.

also - see if you're more comfortable on all fours, on cushions if it helps. May relieve the pain a little and could encourage baby to turn.

I picked up a TENS machine today because I couldn't take it anymore.. I'm coping better. It makes my pains worse when I lean forward though :( like unbearable. The paracetamol and bath haven't helped one bit... just hope this phase speeds up.