Can contractions stop and start

[FearnRJ]

I'm 39 weeks today so due next Friday. Today I can only describe it as feeling like really bad wind, very uncomfortable I have found that this is sometimes what contractions at the beginning can feel like. I've had Braxton hicks the past few weeks but nothing that's felt like today they started at half 10 this morning and lasted until around 3pm and then they seemed to have disappeared, I've also had a pinching like feeling really low down that comes and goes.

Can early labour contractions come and go like that? Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I'm 38 weeks today and have been told early labour contractions can come and go. If they are not consistent then they can stop and start for days!
Hopefully they get more consistent and you get to meet your little one soon!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news...but my mum's a retired midwife and she told me these on/off contractions count as 'pre labour' and it can last for over a week I had it with DS2, I was convinced he was coming for about 4 days before he did and exhausted myself timing contractions in the night that then frustratingly just stopped. By the time I went into real labour I'd had so many false alarms I told hubby not to ring the midwives as I was going to bed!
So my advice would be to ignore them - you'll know when you're really in labour, I couldn't sleep through it obviously

@MotherOfDragonBoys oh I'm hoping they don't go on for days!
Is it also true that they can feel like really bad trapped wind rather than menstrual cramps?

Yes that's true. It depends on baby's position and other things as to how you feel them. I've got my fingers crossed for you that they don't go on as long as mine!

@MotherOfDragonBoys was your early ones feeling like trapped wind or period type cramps?

It was awful whatever I did move, walk or sit down I couldn't get comfy!

Thank you x

They felt more like period cramps for me but I was overdue and he was in a good position to be born. If you're getting cramps more in your back try leaning forward over a gym ball or on the sofa and rocking to help baby's back turn out to your belly. That might help.

I had all the pre labour symptoms at 32 weeks, I’m still here at 34 weeks! It was awful, I never take painkillers but even I popped some paracetamol that day to try and take the edge off! It went on for hours!

@fearnJR I'm also having this at 38 weeks, it's been going on for a couple days and tonight I'm really suffering with lightening in my fan! Mine definitely feels like trapped wind/ upset stomach sort of discomfort. I was never really a sufferer of mensural cramps so not really sure what they feel like, I just assumed a dull ache? So ready for baby to come, can't seem to get comfortable!

Oops just noticed I tagged the wrong person lol! 🤦🏼‍♀️

@chickennuggets2 yes it seems to have come back in the last half hour I've had loads of pressure down there too. Everything aches down there and feels heavy to be honest 😣 get this baby out of me now!

Hopefully they won't keep us waiting much longer 🤞🤞 x

I was in early labour with DS3 for 10 days when they eventually decided a C Section was the way to go when I was 6 days over due (couldn't be induced because of complications with a previous twin pregnancy).

@FearnRJ I hope we aren't kept much longer too. I had such a bad night, major insomnia and heartburn 🤮 bet DH is sick of me tossing and turning all night

@chickennuggets2 oh the heartburn!!! 😣😣

I struggle to turn over during the night as it hurts too much but then normally decide I was comfier on the other side 🤣🤣

I've got a sweep booked for Friday if she isn't here by then, but I'm hoping she comes before then as not really looking forward to it didn't want it to come to that to be honest x

Hahaha I dread night time knowing it's just going to be a nightmare! I actually think I might get more sleep once baby is here 🤣
Fingers crossed she makes an appearance soon! X

With baby number 3 I had very pronounced contractions. Obviously I knew what to expect as I'd had babies before. We got my mother in law out to come and collect the children expecting labour to kick off. The contractions fizzled out and baby 3 was eventually born a full week later!