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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What was your first signs of labour?

37 replies

emilylouisee · 31/05/2022 14:21

Hey all, due date is quickly approaching 9th June! First time mum...

What were your first signs of labour? Don't know what to look out for or expect! 🙈

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Mindymomo · 31/05/2022 14:23

Really bad backache, not able to get in a comfy position.

SickAndTiredAgain · 31/05/2022 14:25

Contractions. I had no signs at all until they started the day before my due date (gave birth the next day).

fancyfrogs · 31/05/2022 14:32

Cramps, exactly like dull period pains. And crying for no real reason 😂

Frenchyfrog · 31/05/2022 14:32

Period type pain.

Trinacham · 31/05/2022 14:34

I had very mild period-type pains in the night. So mild that I ignored them (I was 38+6) and went about my day. Waters broke (a big amount!) in public at about 11am!

Chanel05 · 31/05/2022 15:18

Woke up to a contraction at 40+1.

MightyMouse101 · 31/05/2022 15:31

My waters went while I was having a lie in in bed at 38+1. Contractions started 5 hours later and baby arrived 8 hours after that.

ISeeTheLight · 31/05/2022 15:48

Contractions. No pain at all beforehand. Had mild contractions about 15-20min apart for an hour, then stopped. Started about 10pm. Went to bed and woke up about 2am with bad contractions; they were non stop. Into hospital at 4am; 2cm dilated so sent back home. Back to hospital for 7.30am as I was in a lot of pain with non stop contractions (even though triage midwife on phone told me to stay home and it would take ages yet) - fully dilated. Told not to push and put in a wheelchair up to room to deliver. Midwife then argued that she was sure my waters had broken, I was adamant they hadn't and like in a film they then went like a water balloon all over midwife's shoes. Baby born a couple of hours later after a very long 3rd stage.

My recommendation is listen to your body and stand your ground.

Roselilly36 · 31/05/2022 15:56

Contractions for me too. Good luck OP.

Lacedwithgrace · 31/05/2022 16:04

Mucus plug around 2 weeks before birth, then crying a lot before labour and lower back and hip ache. Contractions started while I slept and waters broke when I woke

tulipsunday · 31/05/2022 16:07

Gushing waters breaking in bed and I mean gushing 😂

feministqueen · 31/05/2022 16:08

First time: Mucus plug but for me that was just like a quite heavy discharge with a smidgin of blood. Wasn't really that horrendous tbh. Then some period type pains and I felt like I was constipated and needed a poo... I didn't... I was ready to deliver. No one told me I would get to full blown Labour and not really know. When you start getting stomach cramps, download a contraction timer. If they're every 4 mins get to hospital.

Second time, a few cramps every 4 mins. Baby arrived within the hour.

HarrietSchulenberg · 31/05/2022 16:14

Throwing up followed by mild contractions.

twoandcooplease · 31/05/2022 16:26

The night my waters broke my plan was to cook dinner and have a bath. I cooked it but didn't eat as I felt sick. Went in the bath still nauseous and when I stood up I thought I'd peed myself a little so I had a cold shower. Stepped out the bath and the same thing happened again. I quickly sat on the toilet, nothing happened, I stood up and waters shot out me again
When I told DP I was leaking he thought it was a bright idea to do a test which involved leaving the waterproof bathroom floor to lie on a towel with sanitary towel on our bed and monitor how long it took to fill. I didn't make it two steps without filling one so we knew this was not a drill
I was 36+2 and it was a big surprise. I was so tired for days before (looking back texts to my mum) but don't remember it. I do remember the week before almost collapsing in pain with PGP walking round Aldi alone. I think this must have been the start of my bump dropping

JemimaTiggywinkle · 31/05/2022 16:28

Small bit of mucus plug in the morning and then contractions like period pain in the evening.

twoandcooplease · 31/05/2022 16:28

Yes to pp's saying download a contraction timer
I was trying to do it on pen and paper and my head was all over the place I had it all wrong

twoandcooplease · 31/05/2022 16:29

Ah that was it! I was having a bath because of the period like pains! Sorry I forgot until I read other replies.

lilroo87 · 31/05/2022 16:32

I woke up at 3am with contractions but wasn't sure that's what they were at first. Didn't take long to realise they were and 7 hours later DD was born. She was 2 days early

llibrollibre · 31/05/2022 16:32

Contractions. They got stronger over the course of several (sleepless) days and nights, but not much closer together...

Rachel0721 · 31/05/2022 16:33

First time big gush in bed at 41 weeks, full waters

2nd had 3 little trickles as I was sat on the sofa on my due date, when to the hospital to get checked, 30 min drive got out the car and a massive gush again in the hospital carpark

I've never had contractions first

Original poster

emilylouisee · 31/05/2022 17:21

Thanks everyone! Every little pain or twinge im like ooooo is this the start 🤣

OP posts:

Scarecrowrowboat · 31/05/2022 17:23

Waters breaking like they do in films after being told by everyone it's never like that in real life.

glowingtwig · 31/05/2022 17:38

First baby: 39+5 - waves of dull period-like pain in my back and lower tummy at 5am... waters broke 11 hours later and DD was born at 9.30pm.

Second baby: 39+4 - no signs at all when waters broke in bed at 11pm and then all over the floor when I commando-rolled to standing. Contractions started at 1am, mild til 4am when they intensified, hospital at 5am and he was born an hour later at 10 past 6!

When it starts you'll know OP :) good luck! Both births the best days of my life. Just the most incredible experiences.

glowingtwig · 31/05/2022 17:40

Also download the Freya app- brilliant for timing contractions and tells you when you're in established labour.

RuthW · 31/05/2022 17:42

Waters breaking.

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