Early signs of labour or general late pregnancy problems?

[RockerMummy184]

This is my second pregnancy so you'd think I'd know by now, but I was induced with DS as he showed no sign of moving so didn't get any labour 'symptoms'.

Anyway, since last night I've had awful period type pains in my lower tummy, back and thighs. This morning I've started getting intermittent cramps (still quite far apart but quite painful.) These have been accompanied by a couple of bouts of diarrhea, which I suppose could mean all of these things are just pointing to an upset tummy. My tummy has been going really hard, but I can't decide if this is due to the cramps or whether the cramps are causing the babies to push out making it feel hard IYSWIM.
Also, I've just been laid in bed with DS having a snuggle and noticed my boobs are leaking what appears to be gallons of colostrum (obviously it's just drips, but soaked into the sheets it looks like loads!)

Am I getting ahead of myself thinking this could be the start of something? Or are these just normal end-of-pregnancy body changes?

Sounds like the start of something, although tbh these early symptoms can last a while! How many weeks are you?

That sounds like the start. I was like this the day I went into labour. Irregular pains all day then waters went at 7pm and labour started there after. Best of luck!

34 weeks but having twins so realistically I could go onto labour at any point.

The cramps/tight tummy don't seem to be getting any worse, but they aren't subsiding either, pain killers have taken the edge off.
Poor little one has been left to his own devices for most of the day as I'm so uncomfortable. I'm praying he'll have a nap so I can sneak in a relaxing afternoon lavender bath. Hope it either goes or ramps up soon, I feel so guilty leaving him play by himself.

I read something recently about paracetamol interfering with the latent phase of labour and making it longer, so try to avoid that if possible! I'll try and find the link

Here you go undercovermidwife.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/paracetamol-and-labour.html?m=1

Oh wow! How interesting! Everyone I know that's had pain relief in labour has been started off on paracetamol and then built up to something stronger. I'll leave off it for the time being and see if that helps. Thanks!

Yes it's fascinating isn't it?! I had a looooooooongg latent phase with my first born and was advised to take paracetamol repeatedly. Worst thing was it actually didn't help with any of the pain anyway! Definitely avoiding it this time round good luck and keep us posted!

Sounds exactly like my last few days on second. .! I then had show and c3.5 hrs later had ds2 in arms!! Good luck!

Cramps/tightenings coming every 7mins (obviously nothing to get overly excited about but at least they're now consistent!)
But now I don't know what to do! Do I stay active like I'm doing and hope they increase soon? Or shall I get some sleep, risk the setback of being relaxed, and hope for the best in the morning?

If I'm actually going to go into labour will having a rest actually have any effect? I had thought that if your body is ready then it's just ready, but I know you're also told to be as active as possible so I'm questioning my options!

I believe that once you're truly in labour nothing you do will stop/slow it, so I'd say get some rest now if possible, and hopefully when you wake up you'll know things are really on the move, and that's when you'll want to be sidestepping up the stairs and all that. Good luck!

If you are 34 weeks with twins I would definitely ring the labour ward for advice - sounds like this could well be it, and they might want you to come in , given you are a higher risk pregnanxy and the babies might need a bit of help if they are born now.

Good luck!

Definitely call the labour ward if you're having regular contractions.

If they say rest, then you must rest

But just follow their advice.

Excited for you!

Er yeah, actually the pps advice is better than mine, call the labour ward for advice. Sorry, I wasn't thinking about the twins

Sounds like it could be time! Exciting - good luck!

I agree with wigeon at 34 weeks with regular tightenings and pain I would definitely be calling labour ward, particularly as you are having twins.

My entire labour lasted 5.15 hours and all I took was 2 x paracetamol. Take pain relief if you need it

I went very quickly from 7-5-it's happening (I started a thread here not realising how quickly things were moving).. I left it too late to get to hospital. How long has it taken to get to 7? Ie were you at 10 an hour ago? I would time length of contractions as well as time betweenthem and I perspersonally would make my way to labour ward now (hindsight is a great thing!) Best of luck! !

Ooooh I hadn't even thought of that! I was just thinking 'ah if they're not 2-3 mins apart I'll just get sent home!' Thinking about it, it seems logical that the rules will probably be different with two...

I'll wash my hair then give them a call!

Thanks everyone!

Hey op, what happened over night?

The rules are definitely different with twins when you are at 34 weeks...If your babies came now they would almost certainly need some kind of extra support (eg special care), although they would have a good chance of being fine. I am fairly certain that with twins they would want to check you out at the very least if you are definitely having contractions at this stage. And I'm sure no midwife would dismiss you if you rang, given your symptoms last night.

Hoping for a good update today and that you are ok!

Sorry for the late reply, had a crappy day.

After a soak in the bath and a nap this afternoon the tightenings have become less regular so I know I'm not in labour, but I feel like I've got constant crippling period pain. It's all round by bump and back. I can't believe how much pain I'm in. Over the last hour or so it's got so bad I have been sick and cried! (What a wimp)
I don't know what to do!
I wish it would either ramp up or go away coz at the moment I am totally fed up!

Thank you for update but sorry to hear you are feeling bad! I would definitely ring the labour ward for advice, even if it's not actual labour. That doesn't sound like usual pregnancy aches and pains to me at all.

Hope you feel better soon

I think you should still give your labour ward/triage a ring. I expect they'll want to see you to check you and the twins over.
Congratulations on your impending double trouble/joy!!

Did you call the labour ward at all? If not I really think you should. Labour isn't always how we expect it to be and I'm sure they would want to pop you on a monitor for a bit and maybe even have a look to see if you've been dilating. You have twins and it's early to be going into labour so better to get checked out. Sorry if you already have and I've misread the thread! Honestly they really won't mind, I've been monitored for far less and they'd rather see you and be sure everything is OK than not. Take care of yourself, you sound exhausted! I hope you managed to sleep OK.

Definitely get checked out, I was in agony at 34 weeks and it turned out to be a nasty UTI