How long was your early Labour? Is this early Labour? What was yours like?

[sophieaskerx]

Hi all 40+5 basically 7 days ago I lost my mucus plug and I've been losing it ever since I had a bloody show Tuesday, two sweeps in the last 7 days, last one was Monday, since I lost my mucus plug I had very slight mild cramping and back ache now and again but yesterday it got bad and I mean bad from about 3pm I was crying in pain I was constantly cramping and having sharp pains this carried on throughout the night, sometimes it was okay other times it got horrendous to the point I had to keep getting out of bed and changing positions (TMI warning) I had really lose bowels around midnight it relieved some of the pain but not all of it I was still crampy and achy, finally got to sleep this morning woke up still crampy (not as bad as lastnight) but I can feel it heading that way again, pain killers aren't helping nor are baths anymore I phoned Labour ward because I'm so fed up now they said I'm in early labour and this can take up to a couple days before it really starts but I really can't take this much longer I'm always in pain and hurting with cramps it feels like a really bad stomach bug that's the only way to describe it, please has this happened to anyone else and how long did it last and when did actual Labour start?? 😩😓

Sounds like early labour to me.

With my first I was in EL for 3 days. Even when I did go back into the hospital (after spontaneous breaking of waters) it was another 10 hours. And yes, I was left that long with broken waters which contributed to my boy being quite poorly post birth. Stay at home as long as you can, get yourself in the bath if the pain is worsening. If your waters break, straight to hospital.

Good luck!

Thank you.. I hope it's not much longer. Exhausted.

You might have a UTI, that can cause the sharp pain. You can get a test OTC at a chemist if they won't do one at labour ward.

Had my urine tested already.. all clear

Urine came back as clear at my mw appointment labour ward just said it's early labour

5 days for me. You have to breathe through it, rest as much as you can, because it will ramp up into active labour eventually. Gentle walking or birthing ball if you have one. Small meals/snacks.

Yeah in that case just have to keep going with it, my sympathies, I had really long early labours with all 3 of mine, it sucks. Try to sleep if you can, a heat pack/tens machine can help with this. Or try going the opposite way and "use" every contraction, stand up, move your hips around, squat or move to try and open up your pelvis.

Yup, long early labour here with my first. If you're really struggling labour ward can give you some stronger pain meds but will encourage you to stay home until active labour starts. Have a babymoon, rest, watch TV, cuddle with your partner and get ready to meet your baby 🥰 when the pains are coming, try getting on your ball, nipple stimulation, crab walking up the stairs etc anything to make the most of them x

I had a long early labour as well, my baby was back to back to all my pain was in my back/my bum. Even if it is early labour, you can still get pain relief! Take regular paracetamol but I got a dose of dihydrocodine from the hospital and it really helped. It didn't take away the pain but let me get a couple of hours sleep. Hope things get moving for you soon, it's a miserable time but all going to be worth it in the end!

How are you getting on @sophieaskerx ?

Still very much pregnant 😭😩 40+6 now find out my induction date tomorrow