Pre term labour - any stories/advice?

[TryingForOurSecondxx]

This may be long so..good luck 😂 this is my 4th baby. The last week or two, I’ve had what I can only imagine to be Braxton Hicks. Never had it before in any of my previous pregnancies but painless tightenings, verging on uncomfortable. I also mentioned to my partner that it was weird as I was (TMI) pooing a lot more and it was looser, weird for me as I’m always so constipated. I’m also EXHAUSTED. Just as a side note - I also lost what I am sure was part of my plug around a month ago and was having stomach pains, they did the FFN test and mine was 19 so negative. They discovered a case of BV so gave me antibiotics, end of story. Anyway, yesterday I notice that these stomach tightenings are starting to become more painful. As well as that, I start having lower back aches, thigh aches and a tummy ache similar to period pains. I have PGP quite badly, so I’m almost used to being in pain and it’s hard to differentiate between what’s my normal pelvic pain and what’s abnormal. The only way I can describe it is that something just felt off. I just felt like I wanted to be on my own and just rest. Anyway, last night I just couldn’t get comfortable on the sofa so I went to bed where the pain started picking up more and more. I went to the bathroom and wiped and there was a few globs of what looked like my plug again. The pain kept increasing to about a 7/10, taking my breath away. In hindsight I should have just rang the hospital but I just kept thinking it’s not labour and I feel like I’ve bothered them enough. The pain kept me awake for a good few hours and I must have just passed out sometime after 1am. I woke up this morning, the pains are still there but less. So again I thought, I’ll just wait and see. I’ve cleaned my house for 2 hours and pottered around and felt okay except for a few niggles and I’ve just sat down now where I can feel the crampy pains but nothing severe. Sorry for such a LONG boring ramble 😂😂 in essence what I’m asking is,
can pre term labour stop and start? does anyone have any stories they can share? I just don’t know what to do and I really would rather avoid hospital if I can. Thanks ladies xxx

Any labour can be stop start.

You haven't said how far along you are. But I'd be ringing triage, if for nothing other than some advice!!! Depends how early you are, but you may need checking over.

Sorry! I’m only 29 weeks so that’s why I’m a little worried. I’ve actually never gone into labour naturally - induced with all 3. Xx

You’ve just described exactly how I’ve been feeling the last week. Exhausted, massively swollen feet and ankles, constant braxton hicks that are quite painful at times, period pains, etc...

I’m 34 weeks though so I’ve just put it down to baby getting ready soon, this is my third x

Your pain actually sounds like what I've had with PGP. And how it actually started for me badly.
The pains were mains under my stomach and I've had quite a few nights where I've sat on my bed and just cried because I've been so tired but in so much pain. And a weird pain, it's like a constant cramp under my stomach.

The losing your plug part isn't really anything to worry about as it regrows and you can lose it any time.
It's usually when it comes out in 1 big clump and is tinted red/pink/brown

Always check if something feels wrong. Checking hurts nobody, but not checking might be catastrophic. If you are in labour and they can't stop it, your baby would need steroids in advance of birth - you wouldn't want to miss this window.

@FeistySheep

Always check if something feels wrong. Checking hurts nobody, but not checking might be catastrophic. If you are in labour and they can't stop it, your baby would need steroids in advance of birth - you wouldn't want to miss this window.

Certainly agree with this though!
Always check!
Don't lose anything by checking but can by not checking!