39+4 in quite a bit of pain (not contractions). Normal or should I be concerned?

[designerbaby]

HI ladies, trying not to worry, 'cause I KNOW that things are always uncomfortable at this stage of events, but since yesterday afternoon I've been having what I can only describe as REALLY bad 'period pain' type pain (the kind you'd normally take heavy duty pain relief for ) with constant back ache and frequent sharp shooting pains.

I do get the odd tightening feeling, but there's nothing regular and I don't think they're contractions. I didn't get much sleep last night because everything hurt so much, and the sharp pains kept waking me up.

Is this something I shold be concerned about and get checked out or just normal late-pregnancy stuff?

Baby is moving, but not much in comparison to how she has been - but since the midwife said yesterday that she was at leatsst 4/5 engaged (1/5 palpable) I suppose that's not so much of a surprise, and so I'm trying not to worry about that either...

Any thoughts/advice?

DB
xx

i had constant back ache with my labour - more so than "conventional" contractions
DS was back to back as well

Could be back labour, where the pain is in the back rather than tummy contractions, generally back labours are longer and slower. Are the shooting pains coming regularly? if so, I would condsider seeing mw to check if you have started dilating.

If you are concerned see mw anyway just to put your mind at ease.

hope it all goes well.

Thanks guys - are back labours only when bubs is back to back? MW said she was left occipito lateral/anterior...

Nothing's regular, which is why I didn't think it was contractions... pain is pretty constant, shooting pains aren't regular at all, and don't seem to correspond with tightening feelings... doesn't seem to be escalating at all either.

All a bit odd. And what I wouldn't give for some super-dooper-nurofen-type-stuff right now

DB
xx

Sounds like early labour to me, tbh. You can take a couple of paracetamol. You need to get as much rest as you can, chances are it won't be long now.

Hi designerbaby

Pain & discomfort as you know are unfortunately par for the course at this stage, but I am concerned that you say baby's movements are noticeably reduced.

Please contact your delivery suite and ask to have a CTG and be reviewed re the reduced fetal movements.

If the CTG is fine then, OK resign yourself to waiting a little longer to meet the baby.

Designerbaby you could be describing me at the moment and I'm 39+4 today as well!! I'm finding a hot water bottle on my back is helping along with the odd paracetamol. The constant back ache I'm putting down to the weight of the baby. I'm also getting BH's as well as period type cramping. My mw said it was everything getting toned up for real labour but that it could go on like this for days or even as week or so.
Don't remember this with DS1 at all, went straight into regular contractions with him.
Keep us posted anyway, can't be long now
phee

Oh dear...

I was trying to avoid going to the MW... it's about an hour to get there, either on public transport (which I really can't face) on in the car (and I'm worried about driving in case the sharp pain makes me slam into the back of someone) at this time of day...

Husband is at work... he said he's going to come home early though, maybe I can get him to take me in then, if things haven't changed...

If it is early labour (which presumably is different from real labour) how long can it go on for? Days? Weeks? Feeling a bit upset, it all hurts, I've hardly slept... not sure I could face many more days of this ...

Ok, try not to stress... much easier typed than done I know.

Try and monitor baby's movements, although reduced they may still be fine.

At least if you are monitoring them and documenting them it will give you a basis to work from and reduce anxiety, so that when DH comes home you can make an educated decision

Wish I could do soft mushy lovey posts

Definitely don't drive. If you're worried call the mws, they should send someone to you. From what I;ve read and heard pre-labour can go on for ages and is exhausting, can you go and have a bath and curl up on the sofa with a hot water bottle on your back and a couple of paracetamol til your DH gets home? Also lying down quietly might help you feel bubs movements a bit better, mine has slowed down too and I'm only feeling really pushes and shuffles now.
{{{{{{{{designer}}}}}}}}}}

Thanks guys - and NoName don't worry about it - a reasoned factual reply is really useful too - it can't all be warm and fuzzy - particularly when things may need attention. I appreciate your replies just as much.

Sorry, I got a bit wimpy and whingey there - and I HATE that... I'm going to have a baby and I'm very very blessed... Am pulling self together forthwith. I'm not terribly good with sleep deprivation - which doesn't bode well!?

Think I will take self back off to bed and keep an eye on those movements...

DH says he will be home by 4 - which is a relief...

Thanks all...

DB
xx

Have you tried having a bath?

When you say that the baby has slowed is she still moving regularly? The reason she may not be doing flips is because she's getting ready to come.

As has been suggested try and get some rest. Maybe do a project (my current fave... sort out photos into an album) or watch a funny DVD. Keep your DH on standby but if you feel better having him home then ask him to come home.

Labour doesn't have to be lots of noise or (for some women) lots of pain.

Remember to eat and drink regularly and to pee.

You can call the delivery suite to put your mind at ease but it sounds as though your body is moving along quite nicely. It all helps.

designerbaby,

Hi, I had exactly the same things at the same time with my DS, who was back to back with me, I was agony to put it bluntly. One time I was in a shop and I virtually passed out with pains up my back , DH had to virtually carry me to the car, I thought I was in labour but no it passed by the time we got home.

When I eventually went into labour I had (wait for it) much 'fundament' pain if you know what I mean......

Back to back presentation means baby is born facing downwards......heres some turn around dust.........blow

designerbaby - hope you are fast asleep now and the pain has eased. As long as the movements keep being ok, then relax, bath, paracetomol and warm hotwaterbottle on the back, might just help easy the pain for more sleep. Do let us know how things progress, as it sounds like your little one is getting ready for a grand arrival into the world.

DB, please keep an eye on those movements and trust your instincts. If you feel you want to be seen by a MW then just go.

I am not trying to worry or scare you but a family member has just had a very upsetting time and didn't go to hospital soon enough. Please don't jump on me for this post.

Sounds to me like your LO is on her way, I wish you a short and painfree labour .

upwards, downwards who knows

Hi DB... we must be due on the same day . I have been having exactly the same discomfort as you have just described. This is my third baby though, so I guess I'm not really worried about it. I think it is just your body making adjustments and gearing up for the big push. Pre-labour can go on for a day or a week, so just relax and try to think about something else. Take a paracetamol, have a warm bath, try having a kip... I would but have got DC off for half term... however they are helping distract me!

Good luck,

Honeyapple

Hi DB, I am 39 weeks today and having exactly the same feelings as you. Over the past couple of days I have been convinced that labour is starting on several occasions then it stops!!! Went for my midwife appointment and she said that could be early signs of things coming, I'm experiencing less movements aswell but still 10 a day and she said this was normal and head is engaged. Hopefully it will start as full labour soon. Good luck.x