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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Stomach Cramps & Back Pain...... advice please?

32 replies

Toothache · 03/07/2004 12:44

I'm in between 34 and 35 wks pregnant with No2. I've been getting period pain type cramps since last night. I wasn't overly concerned until this morning. I'm at work at the moment and the cramps are getting worse. The pains also seem to be low down in my back.

The baby is kicking like mad, so I'm not concerned in that respect, but could I be going into labour early???

I haven't noticed a regular pattern to the pains, but they are coming and going. I have had 4 or 5 UTI's this pregnancy and I'm wondering if it could be another one of those. I had an Antenatal appointment on Wednesday and nothing was detected in my urine sample to suggest an infection.
My concern with the UTI is that at 24 wks I ended up in the labour ward having what felt like contractions due to a UTI. I'm scared that at this late stage those tightenings could turn into labour!

Any advice??

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 12:47

Erm... both my labours started off with period pain.

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 12:49

That's what I'm thinking Soupy. scared emoticon{}

My last labour was a backache labour so I didn't really experience any abdominal pain.

OP posts:
Tissy · 03/07/2004 12:50

I'm no use at all, as I don't know what labour feels like, but it sounds like you need to get checked out fairly soon. How far away from the maternity unit are you?

Why not phone them and ask to speak to a midwife?

SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 12:51

Relax though. It could just be braxton hicks - some of those can be unconfortable. If it does turn out to be labour, 5 weeks early isn't too early though so don't panic. It's far more likely to be a spot of rummaging around by No2 or maybe he's headbutting you in the cervix.

SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 12:52

You can take paracetamol if you like.

I'd see what happens over the next hour or so - more regular, stronger etc. Are the cramps all the time or do you get regular twinges?

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 12:55

Tissy - I'm a good 15-18 miles away and have no transport. The Proj Manager here had to do an emergancy dash to the Labour Unit when I started having pains at 24 wks and they sent an ambulance to my house by mistake!
Soupy - You're probably right. My stomach is so rock hard that it's difficult for me to straighten up when I first get up off my chair!!

Speaking to a midwife is very difficult here. I'm in a portacabin with 2 Construction guys. The only phone is at the Project Managers desk and he doesn't even move out the way if I need to use it. I just have squeeze in behind him and lean over! I'm very uncomfortable about explaining this over the phone whilst he listens in. Pig.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 12:56

Soupy - They are definitely coming and going, but nothing regular.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 13:00

I'm sure if you say loudky and clearly over the phone "I think I'm going into labour early, shall I tell you the gory details" you won't see the men in your office for dust

I got wicked BHicks with DS2 which I hadn't had with DS1. Used to bring me up short whilst driving!!

If you do phone a midwife, they'll ask you about how regular they are, how strong etc so maybe monitor yourself for a while to see how they go. You'll sound knowledgeable if you do have to phone.

lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:02

Soupy's advice sounds good Toothache, but I would say sod the boss and just call them anyway. I'm sure he would much rather you did that than have to dash you to the hospital. If you are really concerned get in a cab and get yourself checked out.

Btw I had threatened labours with 3 of my four, at 30, 30 and 34 weeks, and I managed ot hold on until 37,38 and 36 weeks respectively, so even if they do think it's a threatened labour, you may not deliver now iyswim

Good luck

lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:03

Soups I think bh are stronger after each baby (just my theory). With my last pg I could barely walk when they happened, my legs kept wanting to give way!

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 13:04

Thanks folks. It's eased off in the past few minutes so I'll take a note of the time when the pains come back. The dull ache in my lower back is just there constantly, it's the abdominal pain that's coming and going.

Thanks again. I'm such a panicker!

OP posts:
lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:06

I seem to remember being one giant backache when pg towards the end . Dh would probably suggest I was another sort of giant pain though

SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 13:07

Backache is probably due to the comedy stomach you have strapped to your front at the moment

Take it easy today.

lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:08

lol @ comedy stomach!

SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 13:09

They are though aren't they? They're huge and tend to have odd sticking out bits moving around. It's just not natural!

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 13:10

lol Soupy... it's is rather comical! Think I'll spend this evening leaning over my pregnancy ball. DH will just have to put up with my big ar*se swaying in front of him whilst watching TV.

OP posts:
lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:12

Lol @ you two!

Titter....

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 13:16

Hmph .... haven't recieved any of my bargain goods yet.

I took some paracetamol about 15mins ago and I think it's kicking in. Or maybe the pains are just subsiding! I'll see how it goes through out the day.

OP posts:
lou33 · 03/07/2004 13:25

All I need now is to be on a Harley Davidson

SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 17:17

How are you doing?

(and what are you wearing with your biker boots Lou? )

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 17:19

Soupy - The pains have never really gone away, but they are much less painful. The painkillers should be wearing off soon, so I'll get a better idea then. I'm still drinking lots of water to try to fight an infection if that's what it is!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 03/07/2004 17:21

I would imagine they would be worse by now if you were starting labour.

Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 17:23

yeah, I would imagine so. But the UTI I had a 24 wks was so painful, I really hope it isn't that either.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothache · 03/07/2004 18:35

The pains are back again. It must have been the painkillers at work that made me think they had eased off.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 04/07/2004 12:26

How are you this morning?