Am I in premature labour?

[LSarah]

First time mum here 29 + 3. Past 4 hours I've been experiencing quite bad lower back pain that spreads to my lower abdomen. It comes in waves every 7 minutes or so and then eases. I have no idea if this is just ligament and back pain that you can expect in pregnancy, or whether this could be preterm labour which terrifies me. I don't think I have any other symptoms. Any help would be appreciated.

Ring the midwives & talk it thru.
Backache in pregnancy can be totally normal, but ring them to talk it thru. x

I’m 31 weeks and have this a
lot now at night OP, it could be braxton hicks. Could you try a warm compress and see if it helps? I’d call maternity triage either way, better to be safe!

Yes call them.

Are you feeling kicks?

Keep a record with times.

Good luck.

I had this too, they told me if it goes away it's Braxton hicks if it is ongoing it could be labour, labour pains don't go away. It also radiated into my thighs which they said happens in labour.

Call the maternity advice line now, there will be a 24/7 number you can call, they will likely have you go in and they will put you on a CTG which will tell them what they need to know. I went in three times towards the end of pregnancy, they would much rather have you go in and send you home with no concerns than have you sat at home worried.

Call the hospital now
Noone here knows!!!

I was told Braxton hicks is the stomach only. And if it involved the back then to talk to the Mdiwves asap.

I was having period like pains at 27 weeks last week that kept coming and going every 5-10 minutes and it wouldn’t stop, the pain would also radiate to my thighs and it was quite painful every time. I went to my MAU and they put me on the monitor (after a 2 and a half hour wait outside though!) by that point it had stopped so nothing showed up on the results in terms of contractions. But all was fine, they checked my cervix with a speculum and took a swab but no signs of pre-term labour and was told it sounds like I could have an irritable uterus.

Definitely ring or go to your MAU to be seen to make sure you’re not going into pre-term labour x

How are you, @LSarah ?

Thank you for all your messages! I rang the hospital and was admitted into Triage. 2 hours later I was 6cm dilated and off to the labour ward. Baby was breach but determined to come and come she did. Natural labour with an episiotomy was no joke but she's here and is doing so well in the NICU ❤️ Definitely recommend anyone unsure to just phone the hospital x

Jakers congratulations.

Wow! Congratulations! My SIL was born at 30w and that was 40 odd years ago, I hope your little one is doing well xx

Wow congratulations & hope you & both are doing well

As soon as i read your post I knew it was preterm labour !

I had it , was literally doing yoga poses to ease the back pain and had no idea i had spent the whole night in labour until i was blue lighted to hospital the following morning 🙄

Glad you and babe are safe 🙏

Congratulations, I was born at 29 weeks weighing 2lb 2oz
Girls are sometimes impatient. X.

@LSarah so glad you called and went in when you did. Thinking of you, I am sure NICU are doing an amazing job caring for your baby, I hope she'll be home with you as soon as possible.

That's exactly the same weight as our daughter too 🥹 x

Thank you for all your lovely messages. NICU are a remarkable team and our gorgeous wee girl is being so well looked after x

I'm so glad your baby arrived safely! Wishing you both all the best

Congratulations on your new baby. Hope you're both doing well.