36+4 - bad period cramps and backache

[emilylouisee]

Hey everyone

36 weeks and 4 days today, been woken up with horrendous period pains and backache, first pregnancy.

Is this normal for how far along I am? 🙈 I have been having braxton hicks for quite a few weeks now but is definitely different to these pains I am having.

You could be in labour. There should be a number to call on your maternity notes. At this time of the morning probably labour ward. As you are only 36 weeks you should call them now.

Give your maternity ward a call, they might want you to go in to be checked out. If they think you might be in early they'll want to give you a steroid injection just incase.

Agree it could be early labour. As you know with Braxton Hicks etc you can get all sorts of twinges but “period pains” plus backache definitely seem like a sign something might be happening.

That said, try to get some rest while you can! Good luck.

Thanks all, going to give it a hour and lay in bed with a hot water bottle to see if that helps. If it still persists I will call my midwife 🙈😳

Ooh, good luck OP. With my second child the only sign I had was a hot achy back for 24 hours prior to my first contraction at home...then she was out within the hour!

Dont leave it too long. If you need the steroid injection, the earlier you have it the better.

Backache was how my labour at 33 weeks began. It was a very peculiar sort of backache though, pretty sure I'd recognise it immediately if it happened again. I'd also urge you to go be checked

How are you now @emilylouisee ?

This happened to me

I had my baby within 90 mins of arriving at hospital

Call them

@BarbaraWoodlouse

All ok! I spoke to my midwife who said to keep a close eye on it and take a bath which I did and the pains eased... so far so good sadly as just want this baby out now ha!

Have a midwife appointment tomorrow so think they will do some extra checks 🤞🏻