I feel really stupid for ringing triage now?

[Annao93]

I am 36+3
Midwife said on Friday 2nd baby was really low and head fully engaged. Had a lot of hip pain and back ache which I never had with DD. Yesterday I felt a bit off - tired, bit sickly etc, then around tea time I got the worst cramp in my back I have ever had. I was in tears then throughout the night similar cramps kept coming and going but not regularly enough to time. Some was really strong and there is a constant dull ache there. Like a stitch feeling. This morning I've had 2 paracetomal and got a hot water bottle on my back but its not doing much. I still have that constant dull ache ans then every now and again waves of really strong back ache. I rang the birth centre who said they could only see me after 37 weeks, and put me through to triage. Woman said midwives were busy ans when I spoke to one she said to try get into the GP to see if it is a urine infection as Ive needed to wee lots (tmi but theres no smell or pain down there so i really dont think it is and its come on quite suddenly). I rang them back and couldnt get through so rang the birth suite (before 37 weeks) who put me back through to triage to get seen and she told me the midwife is busy and will ring me back later. I feel really stupid now. Has anyones labour started in a similar way?

With DD my waters went and contractions started a few hours later and the midwife on the phone said theyd be concerned if my waters had gone, but Im sure not every labour starts with your waters going?

I am so sorry you are being dismissed, could you make it clear you are worried this is pre-term labour. This is actually how my pre-term labours started (then a couple days later my waters broke). Do you have a midwife you could call or schedule to see?

How odd that they are being this way with you. with my first labour my waters didn't go until I was pushing. I also had all my contractions in my back. When I rang they told me to stay at home until they were a certain time apart but did say it was labour. I didn't have a constant pain in my back though only when I was having contractions. Is yours constant or do you get a break in between each pain?

If your waters haven't gone they don't need to worry about infection that is probably the only reason they asked about them. Nothing to do with if you are in labour or not.

They won't want to see you at the moment even though you are having pains because they are not regular. If you can't even time them yet there is probably still a long way to go.

Don't feel stupid, it is fine to ask but take their advice and see your go it could just be an infection irritating your uterus.

Firstly never ever let anyone make you feel silly for ringing! You did the right thing and people ring for less and they also are doing the right thing as you are being sensible to check! It could be your warm up for labour as such if the contractions are not regular, they could become regular in the near future for you and it could be go time then! I would see the gp if you can just for peace of mind! Needing to wee a lot is pretty standard at this stage of pregnancy but it’s no harm to cover all bases on the off chance if you did have a little infection! I’d ignore the waters comment as some people’s don’t go until right before birth and so the previous poster that said about infection being a concern if they had gone was completely correct as they like you to come in if that happens no matter what. It certainly doesn’t rule out labour though just because they haven’t broken but at the same time you want your contractions regular.You poor thing though pain is no fun. If it’s not infection, could you get a lend of a tens machine to try help with the back pains if it is irregular contractions? Some people swear by them some hate them but on the off chance if it might help! Hopefully now you will have your beautiful baby soon and won’t be sore for much longer!❤️ If you feel really worried or that something isn’t right don’t be embarrassed to turn up though, because even if you are sent home it is their job at the end of the day and decent staff will be happy to check you over and reassure you if necessary!

Complete coincidence but I was just reading this so wondered if it might help you: www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/latent-phase-labour

I guess my worry for you OP is that my pre term labours never progressed to regular contractions. My MW explained that pre term labour can be different in how it presents to term labour and as you arent quite 37 weeks I completely get that worry you are having.

In my labours my waters didn't go both times until the babies head was being born - not sure if that's helpful. Hope you get to speak to someone soon OP

Keep trying, OP. Don't feel stupid, you were right to call. Personally, I'd just show up at the hospital.

Don’t be embarrassed Op, you really don’t need to be. I think you’re feeling a bit vulnerable because you feel so poorly.

If you are in labour you are unlikely to need immediate medical attention so try and relax whilst you wait for them to call back. A bath, keep up your regular paracetamol, and of course the old birth ball and long walk!
Good luck x

I am just so sad that women are made to feel like this.

Its why my son died, because no one bloody listened to me. So OP please do not feel like an idiot. Hope you have been seen or things have at least settled.

My son was born at 24 weeks as a result of horrific back pain that sounds very similar to what you’re describing OP. I was dismissed by both my community midwife and a consultant at the hospital, who said it was “impossible” that I could be in labour. I only wish it had been impossible.

You are so much further along in your pregnancy than my experience shouldn’t scare you at all - but please keep pushing the midwives/birthing centre to have a look at you. Good luck.

My waters finally went after 17 hours of labour. Baby was here less then 2 hours after that!

Honestly OP I would just show up to antenatal triage so they have to see you. I've done that a few times this pregnancy and no one has made me feel silly about it.

My first labour started at 30+3 with bad back pain, came and went for a few hours. Went to hospital and was strapped to a monitor for hours. My waters broke after 6 hours and he was born 6 hours later. My contractions didn't show on the monitor until just before he was born. I wouldn't feel silly, as it could be the start of labour. Keep phoning or go down if you're worried.

Hey op.
This happened to me just this Saturday gone! Please go in to the maternity unit asap.
They can't turn you away without assessing you first!
On Saturday morning I had the most worst back pain, that kept coming and going in waves. I phoned the triage after a few hours as it got worse and felt like contractions.
They told me it wasn't, because 1) it was in my back only and if I was in established labour it would progress to my stomach and 2) the contractions were not regular.

They told me to take pain killers and rest.

By Sunday it was so bad but the pain was still in my back and the contractions irregular, I phoned again and yet again they shrugged me off and said it is either early labour signs or braxton hicks.
By the early hours of Monday, i was so exhausted and in so much pain. I couldn't even sit down as I felt something pushing but again, on the phone I was shrugged off. I took it into my own hands and went to the hospital, they said they would give me some codiene but they 'doubt I was in true labour' because I hadn't even dropped!
She checked me over and I was 6cm dilated! I gave birth less than 4 hours later and they had to break my waters.
Throughout the labour I had no abdominal contractions, nor did i have regular contractions.
Please listen to your body, midwives don't know it all and everyone is different.