Is this it? Please tell me it is

[Oooarrnamechange]

Sooo I’m having what I think are contractions. It’s super painful and low down. I know they aren’t frequent enough to be active labour but they are ever hour (or less).

Is this it or can the baby change its mind?

I’m 38 + 2 and my last day at work before maternity leave

Probably just Braxton Hicks. Sorry.

Do you have period type ache/feeling. At 38+2 I'd be hopeful for you.

@minisoksmakehardwork it’s like a mix of period pain and the type of pain get when you have the runs

This could be it but may also be BH.. are they waking you up? Or can't you sleep

Fingers crossed for you! I'm awake atm with coccyx/back ache and having what l think are v irregular contractions. Do yours feel different from normal Braxton Hicks? I'm hoping mine is a false alarm seeing as I'm 37+2 and booked for ELCS in 2 weeks time

My labour with dc1 started like that, at 36+5. I’d say at 38 weeks, or could well be the start of labour. Good luck OP.

My labour started like this at 35+2 so it could well be. How exciting

the type of pain get when you have the runs

That bit sounds hopeful. Fingers crossed this is it!

Thanks all!

I had another one but then it stopped 😔 so looks like another false alarm for me

It sounds like latent labour - the early phase. Which is very start-stop.

Especially with period type pains and the feeling of the runs - I had vomiting and the runs in early labour with dd1. The body can often 'clear out' in preparation so I really wouldn't dismiss it.

In the early stages the womb contracts irregularly and slowly adjusts shape so the cervix moves into the right position ready to start dilating.

Personally I would try and keep reasonably active as ime that certainly helped ease my body into favourable conditions. As soon as I sat down, everything massively slowed down.

Do you have a birthing ball?

Thanks again all.

I had hoped it was latent labour. Pain has started up again today but it’s not as patterned so hopefully something is going on

Agghhh @Oooarrnamechange this has made me worry a little lol, I'm 36+5 FTM so not really sure exactly what I'm waiting to see/feel, I had an awful sleep last two nights, discomfort and woken with bad BH contractions, have been having loose stools past few days. As long as my little man stays put until Sunday that would be great lol. Hope you get started soon if that's what hour hoping for! X

@emma911030 this one still hasn’t decided to make an appearance yet 😔 and the cramping has stopped

I assume yours hasn’t made an appearance yet?

@Oooarrnamechange nope, he's still very much kicking me from the inside, although a little relieved as his dad was away last night and not due back until this evening, I wouldn't have wanted to ruin his last day shooting by going into labour lol. If he comes anything from Sunday onwards that would be great, preferably Sunday it's self though, let's get him here! I had an amazing night sleep last night for the first time in ages but still tired so back to bed for an hour, have back ache and some cramp this morning along with stabbing pains in the bottom of my pelvis which the NW has told me before is him head butting me as he goes into my pelvis. No further discharge (sorry TMI) yet today though. How are you feeling in yourself? Do you know what your having? x

@emma911030 no idea what I’m having! (Well emotionally I think boy but rationally I know it could be either)

My symptoms have just stopped which is disappointing. I did buy a birthing ball today that I need to go pick up but my OH has the car and I don’t want to walk in the snow.

Here’s hoping that yours and mine arrive this weekend!

I had this in and off for weeks, sorry 😔