Lost plug/show and contractions - is this the real deal!?

[Shmerlock]

Hello all, and apologies for anyone who's seen my spamming of Mumsnet the last few days!!

Things seem to have suddenly got very real for me these last few days (despite the huge bump, daily kicks in the ribs etc. 🤣)!!

Just for backstory - I am exactly 37 weeks pregnant today. I started with what I now know are latent labour contractions on Weds evening - these started as period-like cramps but have become much stronger and now spread around my lower back and hips as well as bump. I've been bouncing away on my ball, having hot baths and trying to walk as much as I'm able. The contractions are strong enough that they've prevented me from sleeping for two nights straight now, so needless to say I'm absolutely shattered 😴!!

This morning as I got up my mucus plug came away (all over my freshly made bed!!!). Since then, I've been losing huge bits of it all morning, and the contractions are still going. Since they started on Wednesday they've been fairly consistent - averaging at 6-7mins apart for 45ish seconds a time.

As this is my first baby I'm not sure what to expect now! Does this stage generally last a while? Or could I potentially progress quickly? Would love to hear other's experiences and any advice people may have!

I'm feeling all the emotions right now - excitement, anxiety and fear of what's to come in regards to labour!!!

Sounds like you're in active labour OP. It's been a while since I was last in labour, but you should go the hospital when the contractions are about 5 mins apart I think. If you are unsure, call the maternity dept and ask.

@zafferana eek!! Thank you! Rang the hospital this morning, they've said it could be a while yet as it's my first but will definitely keep an eye on contractions and times!

Oooh I'm 36+5 on my first so no experience of this - yet! - but sounds like it's ramping up for you. Exciting! Best of luck OP

38+5 here with baby #6! Had a sweep 2 days ago and wish i was having as many signs as you op!

@Alfxn thank you!! Nervous and excited! Don't dare get my hopes up just yet, could still be a while! Best of luck for you too! xx

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE keeping fingers and toes crossed for you!!! I don't dare get my hopes up, midwife has warned me things may slow down again so just taking it hour by hour now!! Excited and nervous! Take care xxx

Hello. I had days and days of this in my first pregnancy and had lost plug, but no baby. I was so frustrated as it was painful but I wasn’t getting anywhere. But eventually the contractions did ramp up and didn’t go away (which they had been doing - I could get hours of contraction-type pain and then it would go away for a bit). It still took a long time - more than 24 hours after the contractions became regular - before my baby turned up. Good luck!

As long as you can feel baby as normal, moving around, I would try and relax as much as possible

Keep an eye on times, time them and write them down so you remember x

@twoofusburningmatches I think that's what might happen with me! I've had constant contractions for about 48 hours now but the intensity and time between has stayed roughly the same - feeling exhausted, so almost hoping for a little break!!

@RainbowANDThunder great tip, definitely need to keep a note of timings! Thank you! X

Any further progress? Hope you are doing okay!

@twoofusburningmatches unfortunately no! Cramping still happening although seems to be slowing down now 😫🙈 so looks like I'll be playing the waiting game a little longer!! Hoping not too long to go now - so uncomfortable! Xx

Helloo, I am 37+5 and I have been having pink discharge with a bit of blood since last sunday. Having pain in my lower back, around bun and lower abs since past 3 days few times a day but last night everytime I had a cramp, I was awake but they were not intense at all. At first I though these are Braxton hicks but I think I am definitely in the latent phase of labour now which could last days for few people before active labour. Having on and off cramping today but I don't notice much while I am standing or walking. Hope things happen soon for me as I am tired of being huge and having sleepless nights. Hope things happen quickly for you OP !!

@Theeasypeasywoman ooh this sounds like me!! It's so frustrating isn't it!? Mine are worse at night when I'm lay down, when I'm walking it's more manageable. I find the cramping at night quite intense, especially in my lower back. I know, I seem to have ballooned the last week or so - so much water weight and swelling! A friend took some photos yesterday and I couldn't quite believe how big I look now !! Hope it's quick for us both and we don't have to wait too much longer! Xx

@Shmerlock Yes yes !! I have the same situation for lower back at night. same here with weigh gain as well... Don't know how its happening as I am not even eating that much as I have started feeling nauseous again but hopefully Its water weight... Lets hope It happens next week for us both and we can finally go back to sleeping on our back ! 🤣

@Theeasypeasywoman 🤣 yes! Cannot put in to words just how much I miss sleeping on my back!!! Take care! Keep us posted!