What does labour feel like to begin with?

[TheVeryHungryTortoise]

Hi all! I'm currently 40+8 weeks and up until now haven't had any signs that labour might be near.

Yesterday I had a membrane sweep with my midwife and then about 6 hours later I started having what I think is a bloody show and one big long Braxton Hicks contraction where the top of my bump we t hard for about an hour. I was up all night with mildly uncomfortable period type cramps that keep coming and going, and I'm still producing pinkish mucus discharge this morning. The cramps are low down, sometimes coupled with aches in my hips or back but are quite irregular still (maybe once every 15 minutes for a minute or so, but sometimes more often.)

Does this sound like the start of labour? I've been so fed up and don't want to get my hopes up if it's nothing. Does anyone have tips on how to move on further if this is labour, or do I just need to wait it out?

Yes that sounds exactly like the start of mine 😊 hopefully you'll get to meet your beautiful baby soon -mine was 36 hours all together so you might not have too long to wait !

You just need to wait it out if that's what it is. What did they say at your sweep yesterday, are you favourable?

Also, very exciting for you!!

Yes, that sounds like early labour. Mine started as the loss of my plug plus backache, then became periody cramps that were coming regularly. Mine were every 3-4 mins from the start albeit not very strong, but for most people they're much more irregular for several hours with their first.

Yep, sounds like you are starting labour - congratulations and good luck!

Oh, and keep active and on your feet to keep things going - go for a walk, bounce on a gym ball. Keep baby's head bashing against your cervix.

Great to hear! Thank you everyone! I've been getting so fed up with being overdue, I was starting to think labour would never come!

@Dorabean she said that it was about 2.5cm dilated ("could have probably got a third finger in" were her words.) She said it was short and suprised me by offering to break my waters, which I declined because having a hand shoved up you makes quick decision making tricky!! The only negative comment was that I'm still slightly posterior. Is this a bad sign?

@TheVeryHungryTortoise I don't think it's a bad sign as such if she offered to break your waters! Clearly not far enough back if she could do that! Good luck, I hope you meet your baby soon!

That’s sounds as though you’re getting somewhere. I remember my mucus plug coming away after my second S&S at 40+9 a couple of hours after I’d had it done.

My actual contractions seems to come on really suddenly when I was in the bath! They weren’t massively painful to begin with just uncomfortable but after about 45 minutes of them I wasn’t getting a break from them, they were all in my back too. Had DD about 5 hours later so a pretty quick labour. Good luck OP!

I'm still getting gradual loss of what I think is my mucus plug. Is that normal? It's been 24 hours now. Also my period type cramps have been getting quite strong now, a lot more regular (maybe every 10 minutes), and they're radiating out to my lower back and perineum as well as low down on bump.

It's all very exciting! I hope this is the real deal!!

Sounds like early labour, you could give maternity a call and ask when they would like you to go in.. Also take into account transport to hospital, how long it takes, childcare (if needed) and extra bits u need to pack for your hospital bag if you haven't already done do, ie phone charger, money, etc.. Best wishes! X

They say if you get 3 contractions in 10 minutes to ring and go in but I sometimes think this is rubbish! I couldn't time mine, I was just very uncomfortable and rang, the midwife said she didn't think I was in active labour. Rang again half an hour later and said it has ramped up so went in...I was 6cm. An hour later on delivery I was 7-8! Ring them and see what they say. Very exciting OP! Keep up updated (obviously within reason!!)

Also, gradual loss of mucus plug can be normal. Look forward to more news and the safe arrival of baby tortoise!

How are you @TheVeryHungryTortoise?

@Dorabean baby Tortoise was born on Thursday morning after a not so pleasant back to back labour! He was 8lb 3oz and is so perfect

Looks like your were all right about it being the start of labour. Thank you for your help!

Ooooo!!!! Congratulations to you all. Welcome to the world baby tortoise!!
And for you too mum... oh, and

Enjoy your rest

Congratulations!! Welcome to the world baby tortoise!! How very exciting! So happy for you @TheVeryHungryTortoise xx

Congratulations! It's funny how most newborn babies do look like little tortoises.

I’ve been up to the birth centre lastnite as had bloody water come out, they checked me over with a speculum and she said she thought it was a bloody show. Since coming home I’ve had bad lower back pains and period type pains every 10 mins roughly, I’ve been to the loo a few times and the bloody tinged water is still appearing. It sounds weird but since getting up this morning Ive felt a few times when sat down a bubble feeling down below and when I’ve got a tissue and wiped it’s more of the watery blood fluid. Do u think this is still a bloody show or my waters slowly leaking? I can’t be sure so might monitor it the rest of the day. I’m just worrying incase it is my waters but then if it’s not and I call them up again and they say my waters haven’t gone again il feel stupid. Do u think early labour has started?

Yes, sounds the same as OPs get go.
I would report the bloody though, call the ward?

@Pickles31 that does sounds similar to me. I've got my fingers crossed for you that labour is around the corner!!

And thanks everyone! I am very much in love

Congratulations- enjoy all the cuddles with baby tortoise x

Oh lordy...getting all broody now!!!!

Hope you are doing well there @pickles31

Congratulations!!