Could this be the start of labour?

[DH31]

Just looking for some past experiences with labour to figure out if I'm on the way to meeting my LO

I'm currently 38+4 I had a stretch and sweep 2 days ago since then I've been losing my mucous plug and I've woken up today with a lot of pressure down below, feeling like I need to go to the toilet (sorry TMI for a poo) but that isn't happening. Getting some tightenings on and off also that come with a little bit of an oomph but I wouldn't say they're consistent and overly painful. Did anyone else's labour start off like this? What's the best way to encourage that it carries on progressing?

TIA

Yes it could be. Move about lots, eat a curry, have sex.
Keep us posted! And good luck! Might calm down and then start again later though.

With my first pregnancy the night before my waters went naturally I had the most awful bad belly it kept me up most of the night (TMI I had to get up and go a poo) I thought it was a stomach bug😮‍💨 good luck! 🤍👣

Yep sounds like it.
no need to encourage it, if it’s going to happen it’ll happen.

How are you doing @DH31 ? 🙂

@heldinadream hi lovely, well this backache has got worse as the day has gone on it's constant now. I keep getting tightenings where my belly goes rock solid all over about every 30 mins. But part of me is scared it all goes away and it was just Braxton hicks although I can't imagine it would be like this had it been that would it? I do have a 4 year old and I only just made it to hospital in time to give birth to her but I feel like I've completely forgotten how it felt and the process so I'm unsure whether it's just some painful backache and some tightenings or the real deal 🙈

Sounds like you were really fast the first time! Different births can be really different. Try and get some rest (impossible I know but at least take it easy).
Can you ring your midwife etc see what they say?

Some labours are backache labours.

@heldinadream yeah she was fast a labour the first one. Also the midwife team are different this time around so the way it works isn't the same. I've spoken to one just now and they said it sounds like early labour where my body is getting ready cervix softening and dilating etc but just to stay home, relax, eat etc. I need to get back in touch when they're 3/4 every 10 minutes and last 40 seconds so I'm really hoping it's not a long process or stops of a sudden. I'm on my ball just rocking trying to keep it going haha. Thankyou for all the advice it's really helping me

So exciting. 😍 Glad you've spoken to someone.
You got a DP or just you?

@heldinadream i have a DP yes he's very excited it's his first. He asked me what kind of time schedule we're working on I had to explain that it doesn't work that way 😂 but I'll be sure to let you know how I get on

Good luck. Stay active.

LOL at time schedule. 😂Aww his first. Bless him. Hope he copes!

Any news @DH31 ? Hope it's clear now one way or the other whether you're in labour.

@heldinadream hey lovely, I don't think it's going anywhere 😩. I'm still losing some of my plug in little bits but the pains just come and go with no real pattern. I think I'm just going to have to face the fact she may not come anytime soon 🙈. My 4 year old is desperate to meet her sister and keeps asking hahaha. Just fed up now