Midwife says I’m in early labour - but I can't feel anything

[Mrbumpoid]

I’m 38 + 5 and just had an attempted sweep. She couldn't do it bc I’m not dilated at all. I was then hooked up to the monitor and the midwife showed me that I am having contractions. I asked if Braxton hicks and she said no "early labour". Anyone else experienced this but not felt anything?

With my son I did 15 minutes later he was born I didn't have pains at all only period cramps x

@anitagreen oh wow - would love that

@Mrbumpoid it was crazy I'd been induced but nothing happened except period cramps I went for a walk and they ramped up a little bit so I thought oh I'll sit here on the bed.
Then I heard a pop but nothing came out, I know now that is was my back waters breaking behind baby's head I started to get the urge to push and he was born in I think about 3 pushes , it was all just crazy I only had one big pain and that was when his head was coming! They said after I have precipate labour so I go really fast wondering if my third will be the same x good luck x

Oh that is so weird - but good!! I am set to be induced in 10 days!!

@Mrbumpoid honestly I've been induced twice and it's not bad at all with my dd i was induced I think on the Friday and nothing happened I just went for a lot of walking around the hospital and sleeping I think on the Sunday I woke up contracting with like period pain then it intensified to strong contractions for about 45 minutes and then again the pushing was really easy and out she came.
My ds I was induced on the Thursday he was born on the Friday about 3pm I think induction is okay it doesn't start of crazy or nothing it's quite a nice build up

I've found when it comes to pushing if you tuck your chin into your chest very tight and push with all your might it sort of makes the whole body push, the ones I've seen on one born every minute when the woman is pushing with her head in the air or back seems to always take forever but that chin position really works try it when you go into labour x

I had this with DC3 I had monitoring three times a week and from 31 weeks it showed regular contractions.

@anitagreen I shall do that then!! I’m hoping I don't have to wait until induction - 10 days seems like ages!

Get vacumming op. Got things going for me many times!

@Mrbumpoid I know how you feel with my dd I was 42+6 felt like she was never going to come

So since writing this I have felt them. They seem to have gone back to not as painful again after a few hours. Is this normal? Some places online say once in early labour it could be up to three days, some say up to 24 hours. People have said weeks.

@Mrbumpoid whatever they are, the trick is not to worry about them til you really have to! Distract yourself as much as possible, and ignore them until you can’t - when you start needing help to manage the pain, whether changing positions, backrubs etc - that’s when it’s good to start paying attention and timing. Stay as upright and mobile as possible, but don’t wear yourself out too early! Birth ball is great for this. Excited for you, sounds like your baby will be here soon!

I was induced last weekend. Was having small cramps for the week before but they died down once I had the pessary - they were showing up I just couldn't feel them. Was asleep at 9cm dilated 😂 the induction process for me took three days, purely because the ward became very busy after the first pessary so I had to wait 24 hours for the second. Good luck!
Also agree with @anitagreen as I was told to push with my chin right down, I got told off if I didn't, and it definitely made the pushing easier when it was down

@Mrbumpoid ooh keep moving have you got a birthing ball to bounce on I've never tried one but I heard there good for getting you into labour !

Regarding pushing - being in an upright position can be really helpful, it creates more space in your pelvis so makes it easier for baby to descend, and also you’ve got gravity on your side! A potential issue with the chin to chest position is if you’re holding your breath - if you’re not breathing then baby’s not breathing, so there’s a chance it can cause baby to become distressed.