Is this early labour? Please help

[TheCakeIsALie18]

Hey all. I'm looking for some advice please! Please excuse the long write up!

I'm 38+5 (11th April 2023) and for the last couple weeks I've had back pain, period type cramps, lightning crotch, and increasingly uncomfortable braxton hicks. All normal I'm aware.

I had been really uncomfy all of yesterday and had a couple of strong BH in the early afternoon. Last night however, BH started at about 6.50 and required me to breathe through them. They weren't painful but really uncomfortable and felt like a nasty stitch. They were every 4-7 mins and lasted 20-37 seconds each. After 4 hours I phoned triage just to double check because I've been looking out for "pain" and the midwife was lovely and said it could be the latent stage and that it might stop over night so to try and get some sleep. She said to wait until they became "painful". Those contractions were at the top of my bump and felt like a vice like grip squeezing in and down.

So they eased by about 2am and I was able to sleep on and off (was still feeling pretty uncomfy) fast forward to 6am today and I get woken up by some sort of contraction... that felt like painful trapped wind. Have had 3 of those this morning about 90 minutes apart ish.

Now for TMI... when the contractions started last night I had to go to the loo 3 times in as many minutes because I developed a bad tummy all of a sudden.

If you've read this far, thank you so much!

I guess what I'm asking is... what is painful? I've got a good pain threshold but are they painful for everyone? Could this be it? What did your latent phase contractions feel like and where did you feel them?

Thank you so much xx

This could well be the start! The "bad tummy" you describe sometimes happens because your body is evacuating everything in preparation.

As for pain...well, it's different for everyone and every labour is different but you do sound as if things could be kicking off!

Best of luck to you and congratulations! Please keep us updated 💐.

It’s so hard waiting for sensations that you don’t know what they are!! I never had BH so can’t compare. For me contractions were very much like intense period pains but the pain can be felt in different areas. Generally though I’d expect that contractions would feel very intense and more than uncomfortable.

I had on and off early labour with my second for a week, feeling ramping up of cramps and tightening but it would ease off at night. When it was the real deal it is clear, strong and very regular sensations with a clear gap in between. It’s a cliche but try to rest and do things you enjoy, be active when you can.

It sounds like things are getting ready at least, good luck!

Sounds like what I experienced. I had a week of latent labour, started on a Saturday, was seeing the midwife on the Thursday anyway, she told me to go for a long walk. I hadn't heard of latent labour til she told me.

I was knackered and wanted to spend all my time in the bath to ease the pain. Which like you say, was painful but not Pain. I had a "mild" contraction about every 20 mins that I breathed through.

My main issue became constant pressure on my bladder so felt like weeing all the time. That and the tiredness from being woken up every 20 mins.

Had midwife out on the Thursday night but was still only 2cm.
I was 38+5 when it started, 39+5 when baby was born. When it finally progressed that day, went from 4cm to fully dilated in 7 hours. Contractions that day were a whole other level 😬
Good luck, it sounds like you're on your way.

I had latent labour for about 24 hours before. Period pains fairly regularly, lower back pain and my bloody show.

when the contractions started I knew it. I had to breathe through them, I was pacing, eyes closed. I just knew it was labour.

so unhelpful I know but it’s true - you know.

Thanks all for the replies ❤️

I'm getting sort of period pains now. I have my final scan today at 1.30. So maybe the midwife can shed some light then lol.

My midwife friend said to get on the breast pump and get some nipple stim going lol so that's what I'm doing. Hopefully that helps kick start things.

You read so many things on Google and they all say the same, but speaking to people the experiences are so different. I spoke to one person and she didn't think she was in labour because it wasn't painful as she was expecting. Just an intense discomfort... which is what is getting me a little on edge haha. It's an hour drive to the hospital without traffic 🤣 xxx