Am I in early labour or should I just calm down?

[Bea1985]

Hello all,

Well I'm 38+6 and have had grumbling but fairly mild period pains for 2-3 days.

As of about 4pm today there has been a change and I've had waves of severe period pain/cramp , like the worst period pain ever, eye watering stuff.... And these waves have well defined beginning and ends.

Between 5-7 pm this evening they were every 20 mins and lasted about 15 seconds each...... then it went quiet, then 8-10 they started up again..... Decided to go to bed at 10 as all went quiet.....

Now lying in bed with the same intense, intermittent cramps. Trying to sleep but it's not really possible.

Is this something that could go on for days (should I just calm down and at least rest my eyes) or should I phone the labour line if it carries on?

This is my first baby and I have no idea what early labour feels like.

There is no discernible tightening/contracting..... Well, I don't think there is. The best I can do is call it "waves of sever menstrual cramping".

Also....I'm sure they have my dates out. From the date I think I conceived.... I had my due date worked out as 1st December. So I always thought I was a bit ahead if that makes sense? Also, baby is measuring large for dates (70th centile ish). And I'm not very big.

Thanks in advance wise ones!

I mean, I as a person am not very big. My bump is quite big!

Just ring for advice! I only had contractions in my back (baby was back to back) and I don't think they believed me at first! After the second time I rang and they told me it was 'too early' and to wait a bit longer I thought ha no chance! I was 4cm by the time I got there! Trust your instincts and go in if you feel you need to! Good luck! :)

Well, I'm not sure there's anything that would merit a midwife yet. If your waters go that's different but early labour, if that's what this is, is just a waiting game.

I had a false labour on my second baby a week before she was born. About 5 hrs of what you describe and then it disappeared.

But this could well be it so you just have to wait and see. I'd take a bath, some panadol and try to get sleep. 1st labours can be very drawn out and exhausting.

Good luck!

Oh and my waters had to be broken 🙈

JuSt try relax-- those pains sound like how I felt I had achy period pains for hours which developed into waves of strong pain mine came on very quickly though they were pretty much 3 mins apart for 45 seconds right from the start (an hour before I was due to be induced)

I never had those braxton hicks things though so I don't know how they feel to compare to yours now

I'd just have some paracetamol if it gets too much and try relax for a bit, I was always worried I wouldn't know what it would feel like as it was my first, but you'll know, you're best off at home anyway

Let us know how you get on! X

Thanks ladies. I've just taken some more painkillers and will try and doze off.... If it doesn't go away, or gets worse , I'll ring up and see what they say.

I hardly slept the last two nights anyway so am already shattered. Please god let me sleep for just a little while tonight!

Wel, I managed to sleep on and off for the last 5 hours (waking up every hour for a pee.....). Although I'm still aware of the period pain, the sharp intense waves have died down somewhat.

I'll spend today napping and eating, and just pottering about - last night has made me acutely aware of what could happen at any time (and given me the slightest taste of the pain involved)!

It's nice to know my body is doing something, but I guess this could potentially go on for days!

Thanks for all your Late night help. X

Good luck - sounds like it’s close now

Make sure you can tell them how long they are and how often they’re coming. If they don’t tell you. Make sure you ask at what point you should come in. Mine said maybe lasting half a minute and I can’t remember the gap. 1,2 or 3 minutes.

Until they get to less than ten minutes apart and regular, it's all just a matter of puttering about at home and coping really, as well as getting as much rest as you can. Early labour can go on for several days with your first. You can always ring for advice, but until your contractions are under 5 mins apart they won't be much interested in seeing you at the hospital. Basically, if you are capable of talking to maternity assessment in a fairly normal tone of voice, they aren't really going to want to see you! (Yes, I know some people are barely feeling it despite being at 8cm etc, but that doesn't appear to be the OP's situation, and trailing back and forth to hospital is very dispiriting...)