Early labour?? Help!

[Yorkymidge]

Hi,
I’m currently 39+1 and have been experiencing braxton hicks for a while now. I had a really strong one that woke me up an hour ago, but nothing since. I have got slight period pains and back ache too but the thing that’s bothering me is that i have INTENSE aching legs and i don’t know why. It starts in my thighs and runs down to my calves on both legs and feels like the type of ache when you’ve walked around ALL day even though i barely did anything yesterday. Is this an early labour sign? Or if not, what is it?

Thank you

Some of the symptoms sound a little like sciatica.
But labour pains are very individual, so you could be. Good luck if you are. Nearly there !

Call your hospital and speak to your maternity unit about your symptoms. I think pain in your legs can be labour but it's one of the symptoms they kept checking for during/ after labour with me so might be worth discussing. Good luck! Is this your first? Be prepared that this stage can last a good long while before labour really kicks in so get lots of rest!

Does it feel like your legs could really do with more oxygen? Because that’s part of my period pains (although it normally limits itself to my thighs).

It does sound promising to me, as I do get legs like that because of cramping (I get very severe period pains - I have been told this will make labour easier, so fingers crossed it finally has a benefit!), so it could well be linked. It’s pretty unpleasant, though - like, this already hurts; why do my legs feel like they are dying?

Good luck!

I had chronic aching legs for the last few weeks of my pregnancy (currently 39+6) it's been torture. My OH has been a total god send rubbing and massaging them endlessly. I seriously sympathise.

But the backache and period pain especially with Braxton Hicks could signify more going on - ring your advice line, it's not a silly thing or a waste of time! Especially at this point in pregnancy!

VictoriaBun i’ve experienced sciatica before and it’s not that, it’s an ache instead of a pain but thank you for your help!

Have you rang someone OP?

I had labour in my legs and back btw OP - you could certainly be in stages of early labour. Good luck

@TheBubGrower
Yes it is my first child - i’m so excited but getting impatient now! The aching has eased off so i’m pretty sure it’s not labour, however could be the start of things to come!

@Spargle thank you! It’s eased off now. I’m not sure i know what you mean re oxygen in legs haha it just feels like i’ve walked ALL day, that aching feeling which is bizarre because i haven’t done any exercise etc. I’m not sure what it could be as it’s on/off.

@sirmione16 thanks for the advice! No i haven’t bothered ringing yet as it did eventually ease off once i managed to get some sleep (as i didn’t really sleep last night!) going to monitor it though.

@TwittleBee what is labour in the legs? I haven’t heard of that. Could it be the aching that comes and goes? Almost like the period pains? I hope it is early labour as i’m fed up of waiting now haha

It was the phrase my MWs used to describe what I was having, it means that my contraction pain was mainly in my legs and back (yeah rather similar to period pains but a lot more intense as labour went on).

Hoping it labour for you too! FX

Certainly start monitoring the pains (although mine never became regular and I still managed to give birth so...)

I think the period like pains and back ache pain sound like a labour sign, that was my first sign of labour and the period like pains were the start of my contractions- they just got stronger and stronger.

I went into labour on my due date but had the aching and cramped legs the entire week before.

Good luck!