FTM 40+1 and quite intense cramping - is labour on its way?

[Jellywellyfish]

Sorry, this will be a duplicate thread but looking to get some reassurance and tips as I’m a FTM and have no clue!

I’m now 40+1 and in early hours of yesterday had my bloody show/loss of mucus plug (still coming now but lesser as time goes on) and it came with cramping which kept me awake most of the night. Yesterday my midwife said I was 2cm dilated and we agreed id wait until 41 weeks for a sweep as it seems things are starting to happen.

Cramps were intermittent yesterday once I was up and about, but did come on again 4/5am this morning and have been at fairly irregular times but consistent all day today. Pain is lower down (below my belly button at my front and around my back) and intense tightening for a short time which feels like a sharp pain that initially takes my breath away until I breathe through it. They last between 40/50 seconds and come in waves of being 5/6 mins apart to 10/15 mins apart so no pattern really.

Haven’t really had any signs of labour at all until my show. I’ve read braxton hicks are fairly painless which mine are not, so is this the latent phase of early labour?

I’ve been distracted by the cramping most of the day so feeling a bit put off by food
but trying to eat little and often. Drinking loads of water though. Baby is moving as I would want.

I guess I’m just looking for reassurance I’ve still got a way to go as I’ve got a contraction timer app on my phone and every so often it says to prepare to go to the hospital but I just think surely real labour contractions are even more painful!!

At the moment dont plan on making any calls to the birth centre until I’m having three regular contractions in ten min period that last for at least 60 seconds as I’ve read that’s about the right timing?!

Any help/guidance appreciated xx

Have you spoken to your midwife today?

And how far from the hospital are you, how are you getting there, are you ready to go? Might be worth ringing triage before you go to bed.

No, I’ve not spoken to my midwife today. Just feel like I must have a way to go so haven’t wanted to overreact.

Sorry I’m about 35 mins from the hospital. Bags are packed and by the door so we are totally ready to go.

Yes, if it continues as is I may just give them a call and make sure. Although I don’t trust this app I’m continuing to use the timer for each contraction so I’ve got some history of frequency etc

Giver her a ring. X

Good luck! Make sure you wee regularly as a full bladder slows things down. Hope all goes well for you.

That sounds like early labour to me . Keep moving around and have a chat to the midwife team. As you know, it's impossible to say what will happen next but given how long your body has been getting in to gear as it were, I suspect things may hit a point where they speed up a lot over a short time. Given distance from the hospital I wouldn't leave it too long to get checked.

Ah I did not know that so will make sure I do as I’m drinking loads at the moment x

Have you rung in @Jellywellyfish ? See what triage say, what @Northernlurker says, it could change quicker than you think, with the distance too, best to ask them what to do next and when before you go to bed.

Also check your weather forecast, its snowed here today, its set to snow overnight, depends where you are but don't get stuck at home. Good luck.

What did your midwife think about baby's position yesterday? Sometimes you get lots of niggles and it seems like the body wants to get cracking but the baby isn't in quite the right position. Then it just shifts a bit and it's all systems go!

I rang the midwife and she said as contractions are only 50 seconds to one minute long and about every 5 mins it sounds like very early labour. She said to call the birth centre basically when I don’t think I can cope at home anymore, or when contractions come 2 minutes apart. Contractions have got much more intense this evening but still 5 mins apart so planning to try and get some sleep (not sure how!) and see how things go tonight. Fingers crossed xx

My midwife said the head was very low down in my pelvis so fingers crossed it’s only got a little way to go now xx

Ooo good Luck OP, I’m rooting for
you

My contractions never really became regular for any of my births until the last minute. I think I was always at the hospital and about to start pushing by the time they were regular!

Good luck!

Hope you are doing ok. I had one labour where contractions were a nice even two minutes and one where they never got much past a minutes length. Still did the same thing

Any update

How was your night Op? Wishing you luck!

So, pleased to say our little girl came along at 3.30am this morning weighing 9lbs 6oz!! My waters broke at around 4pm last night and then contractions became regular about 3 mins apart from then on and never stopped until she was born. I went into hospital where I was already 5cm dilated. So, the cramping I was experiencing was definitely early labour after all!

Thanks for everyone’s guidance and support! Now to catch up on some sleep

Many congratulations!

Thank you!

Ahhh well done op and welcome to world little girl!

Fabulous news! Congratulations!

Thank you!

That's a lovely story to read. Congrats.