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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How did you know you were in labour

15 replies

Mummy2beAT · 31/01/2020 11:21

Hhi everyone I know people say once your in labour you know. I was just wondering how labour started for you, what were you doing and how far along were you. I'm 37 weeks today and have been having period pains this morning . I've had them a couple of weeks ago but they eased off

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albus55 · 31/01/2020 11:29

I woke at about 4am with contractions. You'll know they're contractions because they'll come and go, cramps etc stay. Then you'll notice a pattern so maybe every ten minutes or so apart and this gap will slowly get smaller and they'll get stronger. I was like this all day but still mobile and otherwise fine and then gave birth the next morning.

AwkwardAsAllGetout · 31/01/2020 11:36

I have 4 dc. 2 were induced as I seem to cook them for a little too long. The 2 that started naturally both followed the same pattern. My waters broke with a trickle, that made me wonder at first if it really WAS my waters, then straight into contractions a few minutes apart. Both born within 4 hours from the first twinge. Had I waited til the contractions were unbearable, I’d not have got to hospital in time so I’d advise going as soon as you suspect you’re in labour, though I know others will say you’re better off at home. As someone who seems to labour extremely fast, I was taking no chances!

SuziGeo · 31/01/2020 11:37

I had cramps but didn't realise they were contractions until they were only 5 mins apart and my waters broke. This was around 5pm and baby arrived before midnight. I count myself lucky, was expecting it to be much longer.

Cineraria · 31/01/2020 11:42

DS1: My waters broke while I was sleeping. I woke, pulled DH's hand off my bump and ran for the loo. Then told DH that I was worried my waters had broken but I wasn't having contractions and he replied that I was definitely having contractions. Even he could feel them through my bump! That was Thursday evening and the baby was born on Saturday morning.

DS2. I'd been a fortnight in hospital and was six days into an induction. MiL brought DS1 to see me. I felt like I didn't have the energy to go down to the cafe, so asked her to bring him up to the door of the induction and labour wards. I sat and breastfed DS1, which was usually lovely as I missed him a lot but felt irritated with him that day. When DH arrived, I said I needed to go and lie down as I was finding it hard to sit up. I wondered if I might be in labour asI felt so odd and asked to be put on the monitor. I was in labour and starting to dilate. The baby was born a few hours later.

I had really strong and fairly constant Braxton Hicks from about 20 weeks in both pregnancies and just couldn't feel the labour contractions as being any different.

Highfield21 · 31/01/2020 11:48

Mine was weird. On my due date I went to visit a friend and complained that I couldn’t believe that I was getting a virus. I felt unwell like when you are coming down with something. She had children and informed me that I was going into labour. I didn’t believe her.
My waters broke the next morning. She was right.

Urkiddingright · 31/01/2020 12:07

My waters didn’t break until labour. I started having pains basically every 10 or so minutes. Nobody could ever describe contractions to me before I had my first but I think they’re basically like cramps when you have severe diarrhoea . They come and go in waves similar to diarrhoea cramps as well.

Original poster

Mummy2beAT · 31/01/2020 12:10

I'm a ftm and I'm scared I don't know what to expect. I've been feeling a little under the weather and sick yesterday and this morning but it passes have the odd cramping atm but not too painful

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Lilice · 31/01/2020 12:54

@Mummy2beAT i didnt know the first time. My midwife told me it would be obvious but it wasnt. I had pains in my back and was uncomfortable but didn't think it was labour. My husband took me to the hospital and i was already 8cm. Just before they told me, I still wasnt sure that I was in labour. Once I realised, the pain became unbearable all of the sudden

river12 · 31/01/2020 13:58

I was 1 week overdue when my baby was born. I was sick in the evening, and then later that night I woke up with cramps, they weren't too painful at first but I knew they were contractions as they came and went regularly, about every 8 minutes. It took a while for them to get closer together though! I was in latent labour for almost 2 days before going into hospital.

Original poster

Mummy2beAT · 31/01/2020 15:11

I have a few symptoms then they disappear , I feel pressure really low down and when baby moves , I've been on my birthing ball a lot but am getting impatient and uncomfortable now

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NotALurker2 · 31/01/2020 15:16

You could be dehydrated. Drink some water and see what happens.

Mine started with back pain, standing at the sink washing dishes. My mother casually said I was in labor. She was right.

ItsLotti · 02/02/2020 12:37

I just felt like I really needed a poo!
I was a week overdue and was having a sweep and was told I was 1cm by the midwife and that she would see me in a few days when the baby was likely to appear. I really really thought I needed the toilet... but five hours later the baby was here... Turns out it was contractions haha

Snoopy28x · 02/02/2020 12:46

DD 1 - I woke at 6am with niggling pains, like very mild cramps but barely noticeable. They came and went throughout the day, by 7pm they were stronger and realised that it just be contractions. I had a lot of pressure down below and couldn't sit down as it was to uncomfortable. Ended up pacing the house all night and following day, they just got stronger and longer and more painful. Finally 8pm I was allowed in. Waters broke then she was born about 15mins later.

DS - lost mucus plug in the night. Few mild contractions. Then nothing. 3pm started again, 12mins apart for a few hours. Then between 6-7 they rapidly went to 2mins apart. Rushed to hospital, waters went in the waiting room, they told me I was 3cm, but 5mins later I needed to push (I have very quick labours lol).

You will just know because the pain will intensify, there is no mistaking it when it happens. but mine tend to start slow and mild.

Good luck! You can do it xxx

Snoopy28x · 02/02/2020 12:47

Oh also they suggested if you have pains, have a bath. If they stop it's not labour if they intensify its labour. That was very true for my first, it went from 5mins to 2mins after a few mins in the bath!

Olipops22 · 03/02/2020 10:43

On the day I gave birth I woke up with a really bad headache and what felt like a dodgy stomach.

Later on I lost my mucas plug and light pains started from there.

Good luck! Hope you don’t have to wait too much longer

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