Is it early labour?!

[kent1991]

Im 40+2 and have been having period like cramps for the last few hours. I've been timing them for around 45 mins and they are coming regularly every 7 mins.

However they really arent THAT painful, just like moderate period cramps. Also, when i feel my stomach i can't feel it getting tighter.

Im sure either way baby wont be making immediate appearance. Guessing either v early labour or braxton hicks, which as far as I know ive not had. I definitely wouldnt describe them as painless but are not terribly painful either.

What do you think?

Should add they last between 35 and 45 seconds

That's how my labour started. Enough to wake me up but not enough to stop me from doing anything really.
Hopefully they will keep building during the day. Go about your normal business for now, I cooked myself a lasagne for the fridge and generally faffed about tidying so I didn't have to think about it when I got home.
Hopefully this is the last day or 2 for you!

My first contractions were also mild, I could keep walking, talking, doing stuff. Could be the start :).good luck

Sounds like the start!
Just try and Potter, have a nice soak and take some Paracetamol if needed.
Contact Labour ward when it starts getting unbearable or if your waters break.
You'll know when it's time to go in! Good luck 👍

How exciting! I actually have a growth scan at 8am as little one's growth has slowed this week, i guess ill still go unless pain ramps up before then!
Thanks for your advice. How long did it start for things to ramp up for you? I know everybody ia different but just curious:)

This is how I felt on the day I had my 2nd DS :) mild period cramps all day, decided to have a nice warm bath at 6pm to ease the pain and relax but it did the opposite .By 10pm I rang the hospital, on labour ward at midday, had my baby by 3am :) good luck!

On labour ward by midnight obviously ;)

Sounds like it’s possible. Try and get some rest. No need to get too excited until you’re getting 3 contractions in 10 minutes, lasting about a minute each sustained for about an hour.

Sounds like me with DD2. I was woken up just after 5:00am on a Sunday morning with exactly what you describe. Lazy morning at home, three course lunch with the in-laws, went to hospital about 4:30pm, DD born at 6.15pm.

How did the growth scan go? Were they able to confirm contractions?

I woke up at about 5.30 and had my DD at just after 8 the next morning.

Just to add, if they confirm contractions on your growth scan and ask if you want to stay in, don't feel obligated to stay. I was actually due to be induced that day and they wanted me to come in presumably to check I was actually in labour. They wanted me to stay in and my labour stalled because I was too hot and a bit annoyed that I was in hospital at all (I wouldn't have called them at that point if I hadn't been due to be induced). Went home cooled off in both senses of the word and labour ramped up again.

So they've kept building throughout day, now every 5-6 mins. Pains ok if im breathing through it etc. Definitely more painful than this morning.
My only worry is that when i feel my stomach i dont feel any hardening/tightening and thats the only thing that makes me doubt if its true labour. On the other hand i do have a placenta at the front and told today i have excess fluids. Worried about making a fuss and not even true labour but painful and clear pattern to them x

If in doubt phone the labour ward / birth centre.

Is it your first baby?

It is my first baby! They werent massively helpful just saud phone if i cant cope with pain/waters break /see hoe things break. Yes first baby!

Growth scan good thanks @sexesam! Said all good. I do have too much fluid but dr said not a dangerous amount so happy not to induce x

First labours can be slower, but they can also be quite quick.

If they keep getting closer together just pop yourself down to the hospital anyway.

Thanks v much. I text my Community midwife who replied even though shes off duty which is nice! Said she thought it did seem like labour as braxton hicks shouldn't be that painful! And gave some helpful advice xxx

Yep that's labour. What's key is that they're becoming regular. Try to have a nice chilled evening, put a good movie on and have a bath. Good luck!

How did it go OP?

Is there a baby OP?

Hello! So it was labour! Had a beautiful baby boy at 2am yesterday. Id had contractions all day but manageable. These slowly ramped up during the evening and around 9.30pm i contacted maternity triage. With some persuasion they agreed to assess me and were eventually very surprised to see i was 6cm. They told me they were surprised and were sure id be sent home. I had to wait a while for them to find me a bed. They found me a bed an hour later due to some staffing issues. Within 10 minutes I was saying I needed to push. They kept saying your 6cm so its too soon. When we checked I was actually 10cm and baby born within 2 hours of pushing.

A good lesson not to doubt your labour symptoms just because it doesnt fit exactly with what google says!!

It was all very fast but amazing. Id been up for having pain relief/anything they'd give me but we didnt even have time! I just had gas and air for 15 minutes until they realised we needed to get pushing.
Sorry this is a long post I am still a bit in shock at how it all panned out! But it was amazing what your body can do!

Congratulations! It sounds like you had a good birth and I am happy for you.

Congrats OP!

@dalmatianmad

Sounds like the start! Just try and Potter, have a nice soak and take some Paracetamol if needed. Contact Labour ward when it starts getting unbearable or if your waters break. You'll know when it's time to go in! Good luck 👍

Watch out for paracetamol. A study showed it can delay labour! Hold off pain relief unless you really need it!

Congratulations! So pleased for you...

Aw Im tearing up here. It's such a special time.

Congratulations to you and your new wee family!

I think you'll be alright with paracetamol now. Congrats OP