39+6 and not sure what's wrong

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Am 39+6 with dc2. I've felt awful all day - agonising stomach ache, bad nausea and diarrhoea. I have no idea what's wrong, but things like paracetamol/hot water bottle aren't helping at all. I'm in so much pain but am pretty sure it's not labour because the pain is constant rather than in waves.

It hurts so much

Has anyone had this? Should I be worried? I wondered about food poisoning/stomach bug but assumed I'd be vomiting if that was the case?

Called 111 earlier who sent me to A&E, who predictably didn't want to know. I did try to call the maternity day assessment unit but they referred me to 111.

Is your baby moving as usual? Any vaginal loss? Temperature? Headaches? Swelling?

If your gut is telling you that something isn't right then call your labour ward triage (or whatever you have) and insist you need an assessment.

Sounds like the start of labour to me. I'd try and get some sleep and if it's worse in the morning either way then phone 111 back for an oooh gp appointment

I had constant pain from my last contractions I didn't get a break, Are you sure its not contractions?

Labour can be constant contractions that don't come in waves. I think it's uncommon but it can happen.

Even if you are in labour though you'll know about it once properly established. Get some sleep xx

I had constant pain all day before proper contractions started at 10pm. D and v too but only once contractions started.

I had had a sweep that morning though.

Is baby moving normally and any vaginal loss.

Call your maternity day assessment unit again.

Anecdotal reassurance is lovely and well meant, but it's more important to ask the questions about movements etc.

My contractions were constant and (like all contractions) agonising. I would still insist on being seen because I'm a worrier and because you're heavily pregnant and that makes you the one that calls the shots

Is the pain in your front or your back?

If your back it could be back to back labour. I think constant pain is more common then.

Not hugely helpful anecdata- I always had diarrhoea pre labour and nausea which turned into actual vomiting once labour kicked in properly. Two kids, same both times. In fact it was my groaning from head-down-loo position that alerted DH that we should get to hospital pronto (I couldn't speak).
Hope it's all ok
If you still feel crap but no baby appears then I would suggest going and camping out at the hospital until someone sees you
Good luck x

Call your midwife and call maternity assessment and insist that they speak to you and don't get fobbed off with 111.

Could be labour but you need to be checked.

My second labour was constant pain, no discernable contractions.

Thank you everyone.

Baby's movements seem ok. Maybe slightly less for the last couple of hours but he does have quieter periods and he's been moving well all day otherwise.

No vaginal loss.

The day assessment unit is closed now so I'd have to ring labour ward. I had to call them a couple of weeks ago when I was having contractions although it was false labour. Just don't want to waste anyone's time again, especially not after today's debacle at A&E. I think I will call them just for advice, does that sound sensible?

Please call them.
If you are in a lot of pain you need to be assessed.
Don't take any risks.

Definitely call :) no harm in it at all.

It's not waistline anyone's time it's what they're there for. I was in and out loads with both my pregnancies. The last time saved me DDs life. They would far far rather see you a thousand times for "no reason" than you not go and something happen

You won't be wasting their time. As midwives, we'd far rather see you a hundred times and send you away reassured that all is normal than miss something that needs attention.

Please ring labour ward.

Yes call labour ward. Even if it is nothing you are not wasting any bodies time!

You're virtually full term pregnant and in pain. Of course you are not wasting anyone's time!!!! I really would speak to the maternity ward.

I'd give l&d a ring for advice and possibly reassurance or monitoring. You've been through labour before but it doesn't mean this time will be the same as last.

I hope it means labour is imminent for you and that the constant pain soon move to manageable contractions. But I would always, always err on the side of caution when it comes to pregnancy.

Yes call them and explain how you're feeling.

Absolutely ring them.

Definitely ring them.

I'd definitely ring - I now have a lovely 13week old but was constantly told that I wasn't in labour as my pain was constant and not in waves. It was only when I literally crawled into the triage and they did an internal exam that they found I was 7cm! I'd been putting up with the constant pain for 24hrs. The midwife told me that some women just get a constant pain - so please get an internal and not just the machine (the machine showed I wasn't contracting even though I most definitely was!)

Thank you, I've just spoken to them. They didn't seem worried given that the baby's movements are ok and think it's probably a stomach bug. I'm to ring if I feel worse or anything changes re. movements.

Hoping for a good night's sleep and feeling better tomorrow. Right now I feel bloody awful though.