Could this be an early sign of labour? 37 weeks...

[Tigerlily08]

Morning!

I'm 37+4 with my second DC. My first was born by ELCS at 38 weeks so I dont know what labour feels like.

Yesterday I felt peculiar, I couldn't put my finger on what was up. I had quite a loose stool (sorry TMI) after being constipated for weeks! Last night I experienced a lot of Braxton Hicks.

This morning at around 3am I was woken by a dull backache in my lower back, like when I'm getting my period. I couldn't get comfortable at all so had some paracetamol and tried again. Still not working so I got up and have just had a bath but now I'm back out again it's not feeling any better. I almost feel like it is radiating slightly round to my lower stomach.

I'm nervous of going into spontaneous labour - I have another ELCS booked for 39 weeks on 5th July and the hospital is a good 40 minute drive from us!

I've been really struggling with PGP so not sure if it's a knock-on effect from that instead...

To add, I've had zero signs of mucus plug or waters.

Trust your instinct and give the hospital a ring. They’ll triage you. Best of luck!! Ps it does sound a bit like early labour, which can last a while/days. But of yourself you don’t know, it could also be quick.

It might be. I had similar symptoms in the 24 hours leading up going into labour. Are the Braxton Hicks painful?

Well, it really sounds like it OP. Dull period pain that ramps up slowly was how mine started. My son was born at 37.5 weeks and weighed 5lb 15. He was perfectly fine but slept a lot after birth which made me nervous, but all was well. You may need some smaller size vests and baby grows!

My best advice is relax and soften into each twinge/pain as it comes, breathing deeply. Keep gently active between. Go with the flow. Keep hydrated and don't forget to eat in these early stages if you can to give you energy. Best of luck!

It's one of those unfortunately - could be or could not be! If you're intending on a section though it's definitely best to get yourself checked out :)

I had this for weeks on end unfortunately and no labour. If you're worried, I'd phone your hospital and see what they say

I managed to get back to sleep for a bit and since I've woken, the backache has pretty much gone. It's so odd. If it comes again, I will call triage.

Any news OP? Did things get going a bit more or settle right down?

@halfsiesonapotnoodle it's settled right down 😣 I mean I'm glad not to be in spontaneous labour but it is frustrating. Every single little thing I'm in overdrive

I'm only 36+3 but I've been having the exact same 😩 I'm getting lower back ache and feels like my period is coming with cramps, which are keeping me awake at night! Also had the same regarding being constipated the whole pregnancy, now I have loose stools. Maybe our bodies are teasing us 😂
This is my second and with my first I thought my contractions were trapped wind so I'm really symptom spotting this time!

That's good that things have calmed down!

I'm having an ELCS on Monday and I've been having painful, regular Braxton Hicks for weeks, and have this past week been feeling occasionally like my waters might have gone! But no, nothing, not in labour, and so grateful. 36 hours to go!