Anyone awake thinking I’m in labour :/

[Poppylizzyrose]

Hey all.

Just for some advice pains started like mild period pains yesterday throughout the day. At 20:20 I got what felt like first contraction, the pain took breath away. Then I had like mild tightening sensations without pain. At 11:20 I had another tightening all over and huge pain feeling again this time I shouted out.

Then nothing I tried to get to sleep, woke up at half 2 with like horrible period pains but they felt constant, called midwife and obviously too soon to go in. Pains have gone now having had pain killers and bath. There’s been no show or waters breaking. Though as I type feels like pains are starting up again.

Could this all be Braxton Hicks or does anyone think early labour? I’m alone in quite a rural area, had baby Dad on alert earlier and birth partners but now everyone will be asleep and I don’t want to bother them too soon.

How far along are you? I am 31
weeks in my second pregnancy and I had similar a few days ago and it was a false alarm.
Try to sleep if you can (I get woken up by kicks) and see how you go.
Have you seen any show or had any leakage?

True labour doesn't come and go , and labour contractions are not alleviated by pain killers / baths.....so you're probably not at that stage yet. Sounds like things are getting cranked up though - it might be soon. Try to get some rest , it won't be much longer.

Hi, I'm up, but probably cant give you much advice as my youngest is 17 years old. How far away is your babys dad and birth partners, just in case things were to move quickly?

Hey thanks all :)

I’m hoping it isn’t real honestly but the shock of how painful had hit me and I’m pretty freaked out and scared. Sorry to drip feed and I didn’t know if it was relevant but I was randomly very sick after first one at 8 ish. I’m eating now as I feel hungry. Will keep you all posted, I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn’t. I will try again soon sonif I’ve gonr it’s false alarm. I don’t want to make anyone come out at this time for nothing and really appreciate the advice x

How many weeks are you? Are you close to your DD?

You can get very painful random pains at this stage, but they aren't labour . It's just your uterus getting ready for when labour does begin. This last stage can be painful and distressing, but until you start getting regular painful contractions you're not in real labour. Keep in touch !

37.6 days.

Gah here’s me hoping it’s over with fast. Really are painful preparations I’m now officially terrified! I’m going to try and sleep again but the pains have been constantly on and off.

How are you feeling @Poppylizzyrose ?

Just woke up again, I woke up again at 8 and 9 with cramps and awake now with cramps. Not sure what’s happening. Don’t think if it was labour I’d have slept st all. Just feeling very tired and sore 😢 I hate period pains used to suffer a lot on rare occasions I had them. Got them now.

oh bless you OP it does sound like you are, at least, in early labour. Oh and FYI you can fall asleep in labour, i did for about an hour as contractions suddenly stopped! Also it is common for early labour to stop and start and women do find they can elevate the first contractions with pain relief and warm baths.

Make sure your bags are all ready and call who you need to as well.

Wishing you so much luck that your baby will be joining you soon and you'll both be perfectly healthy

Thank you! But everything’s stopped now so I have no idea. I’ve still got sort of a mild cramping feeling but that’s it. Been told early labour can last days/weeks. I don’t want to waste people’s time driving me to hospital but I just want to know if it’s nothing or something even if they don’t keep me in.

If I still have cramps or pain later I might consider going in. I just don’t want to be that pregnant lady that keeps getting sent away. but I had no sleep, I feel panicky and shaky and I don’t want another night not knowing. Babies dad has said we can go in as many times as we need to and he’s been really supportive. (We’re Not together)

Found the pains really scary and shocking last night, I’ve never seriously hurt myself before so the level was quite shocking. I’m such a wuss

Plus side to all of this is obviously when I know I will be over the moon to meet my baby.

Baby's Dad is right, feel free for you guys to go there as much as you need to feel reassured. Don't worry MWs are used to it.

Early labour can last days and I think the pain is probably feeling a lot worse to you right now because you arent sure if this is finally it, the limbo is frustrating and an anxious time!

Just make sure you're certainly ready to go when things ramps up. Keep hydrated (being dehydrated can make the pain feel worse) and maybe spend the afternoon bouncing on a ball watching some feel good comedy (this can help kick start it all).

I slept through labor with my second til i woke up 9cm and pushing 😂 so you can sleep through it.
Early labor tends to stop ans start and I'm afraid can go on for a while

I called the midwife and she was lovely, told her I don’t want to be in and out, just scared and don’t know what’s happening. Because I’ve been in contact since last night she did say I can come in to be examined to put mind at rest. I won’t go in unless I get bad pains again. Felt rotten all day but just don’t know, I don’t want another night not knowing even if this is all practise. If I get more regular pains I will go in.

I just want to be strong, I know it will get so much worse and I’m afraid.

To top it off me and my sister have fallen out. I just sent her message saying although I did ask her too I need someone calm to come along now facing small bit of the reality. Don’t think she actually ever wanted to but now I’ve offended her. She’s very sensitive. I might just go alone st this rate I’m so worried of offending her if I go with someone else. I had to ask two friends claire and my mum because no one can definitely come, all have work or children commitments. Babies dad offered and would come but we aren’t together, he’s been very supportive but we aren’t close. He’s going to drive me and has offered to pick up my friends that can’t drive.

Would rather baby wait till December when she’s due. No idea what’s happening now. 😢

No no no. You sound stressed, panicky and worried. You don't want to be feeling like this if you are going into labour. It's going to be fine but you need to break the issues down:

Labour/other pains: Midwife has suggested you go in. Do it
Getting there: Baby's dad sounds like a good sort and has offered to drive you. Accept it.
Sister: Wait till you've been in and you know what's happening then call her. Don't text. Call. Tell her you know things have been hard between you but you you would love her to be part of this.
Other people: Apart from your mum, don't matter and not required at this point.

You and baby are priority. Baby's dad can help, sister and mum will support you if you ask them, I"m sure. IF sister says no, you can then go to mum or a friend without guilt.

First things first, let baby's dad take you to be checked out. Not because your symptoms sound worrying but it would be good to know if you are in early labour.

Good luck.

ps. I just saw you posted this yesterday. Maybe you've been in already in which case, ignore me!!

Poppylizzyrose really hope you are okay. I know it is scary, you should take the offer of Baby's Dad. I know you arent together but if he is supportive and reliable then that is what you need right now. It sounds like he might be a good person to lean on right now. You and baby are #2 priority so please do not worry about your sister.

Sending u so much love and support.

Also dont worry about baby coming "early", you are due anytime from 37 weeks to 42 weeks. A due date is just the date you are most likely to give birth on or around.

Hey thanks all

Update - we went and I was only 0.5cm dilated, but I’m glad I know and something has happened. I won’t be rushing back until it’s the real thing but midwifes were lovely.

I’m still having constant pains today and I’m with friends and have somewhere to stay if it gets more painful closer to the hospital.

I remembered case but forgot book (as I’d had it out) and I don’t have car seat but baby Dad will fetch if needs be on his way ( if I go into labour)

I haven’t text sister again or called her, she hasn’t called me or text me and I was last to message. Told my mum I’m bit miffed at her and glad I have friends in place.

So far so good, I’m still getting pains but they are bearable. Will keep you in the loop.

Thanks again for kind messages, pains are pretty scary.

lovely to hear from you Poppylizzyrose and relieved you are with friends now too. Ensure they pamper you haha. Good idea not texting your sister too.

Get walking, stay active and somehow keep relaxed and happy and you'll find things will hopefully get moving again soon.

Just remember every pain you have means you are getting close to your baby. I can appreciate it is a bit of a shock at just how painful labour can be x

Any news yet OP?

Evening update-all the pains have stopped so I’m back to wondering when she’ll be arriving basically. I did have a low movement scare today and that was about the worst thing I’ve ever been through in my life! But all is fine. She isn’t arriving yet tho.

Any news OP?

Bump!

I have my baby! Waters broke at 2:30 on the 28th of November. Most traumatic experience ending in emergency c section and days with screaming babies and mothers on the ward...but I have my beautiful baby girl Florence.

The emotions are so intense, I’ve felt a bond like no other but also I cry when she cries, I’m irrational, snappy and have fallen out with every close adult I love at least once.

My proper milk has come in so I now have this contended fed baby, (she has tongue tie) so it’s been very tough and painful feeding. She’s having correction Monday, I went private as with nhs there’s waiting around Ect.

Anyway thanks again to everyone who gave me lovely support.

Wonderful news OP. Congratulations on beautiful baby Florence.

Tears and snapping: Standard.

Don't worry.