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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

38 weeks constant period pains & lost mucous plug

43 replies

Sarahjsxx · 18/06/2024 20:34

Hello,
I'm exactly 38 weeks today and due to have c section next Tuesday. I've had braxton hicks for weeks and weeks, recently have been having them in the night. Last night I had strong ones and period pains, was fine today until around 6pm started having constant period pains and my mucous plug has come out in parts (tmi)
I called triage and they said I can come in if I want to, but im not having contractions exactly, it's just constant period pains and pain in my back/bum
Did anyone else have this and it went away?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 18/06/2024 21:17

Bump anyone? X

OP posts:
CamdenQueen · 19/06/2024 00:09

I just gave birth on Sunday at 38+2 and started out with back pain only for about 8 hours before it moved to my stomach. Felt like spasms/period pains. Have you been timing? Mine were about 10-15 mins apart and I started losing my mucous plug in small bits, I never got a massive lump. I stayed at home from 10pm to 4pm the next day before heading in to hospital. Good luck, sounds like you might be in labour!

TheShellBeach · 19/06/2024 00:11

It does sound like you're going into labour.
Is this your first baby?
What's the reason for the section?

justasking111 · 19/06/2024 00:19

I would go in and be checked over

mathanxiety · 19/06/2024 00:50

Go and get checked.
Have you packed your hospital bag? I'd do that I'd I were you.

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 01:18

Hello,
I just got home from triage, this is my third baby, second c section
Yes bag packed :)
They put me on the monitor and she said she didn't think it was labour as the tightening I'm having aren't regular. She gave me cocodamol and after 30 min the pain had reduced a lot (even the spd pain) she said she thinks the period type pain is pelvic girdle pain?
I'm still having the tightenings now on and off. Feel abit more reassured it's not labour but the pain was very uncomfortable before Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 03:25

Pain returned including period cramps, can't sleep at all Sad

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hulahoopqueen · 19/06/2024 03:32

I've got a friend whose baby was very nearly born at home as her contractions never became "regular" and the midwives didn't believe she was in labour!
Did they check your cervix? To be totally honest (and this may not be what you want to hear!) but I think I'd go back and ask to be checked over again as codeine should have properly kicked it!

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 03:38

No she didn't check, she said she didn't think I needed an examination Sad

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Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 03:41

I'm starting to worry as my first birth thr labour was very traumatic, are they suggesting I have to go all the way through labour pains before they'll do the c section if I am in labour 😥

OP posts:
Izzy24 · 19/06/2024 03:53

Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 03:41

I'm starting to worry as my first birth thr labour was very traumatic, are they suggesting I have to go all the way through labour pains before they'll do the c section if I am in labour 😥

No - you have a plan for a C-section on Tuesday. If you are in labour now then the C-section should happen now. As a pp has said call your unit again and go back because it does seem likely you may well be in labour.

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 04:02

They just seem adamant that the contraction red to be 4 minutes apart and I should take the cocodamol for a few days and come back if still in pain 😣

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endofthelinefinally · 19/06/2024 04:05

You really should go back now. Not doing an internal examination previously was negligent IMO. If you are supposed to have an elective section presumably you should not be allowed to go into labour.

endofthelinefinally · 19/06/2024 04:10

In your OP you are describing signs and symptoms of labour. You should have a full assessment and that includes an internal examination. Lots of women don't present with regular contractions, myself included.

lemondropsandchimneytops · 19/06/2024 04:15

You should definitely go back and get checked. I never had regular contractions before I got to the hospital. When I was checked I was 9cm dilated.

Joystir59 · 19/06/2024 04:16

Go back and ask to be examined

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 04:20

I asked if this constant period type pain (in my lower abdomen back & bum) can last until the planned section next Tuesday and she said yes but I don't know why I'd have constant period pain for nearly 12 hours now it only went away for 2 hours after the cocodamol and now it's back

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 19/06/2024 04:33

Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 04:20

I asked if this constant period type pain (in my lower abdomen back & bum) can last until the planned section next Tuesday and she said yes but I don't know why I'd have constant period pain for nearly 12 hours now it only went away for 2 hours after the cocodamol and now it's back

Please go back and make them do a pelvic exam.

endofthelinefinally · 19/06/2024 04:47

I am really ashamed at the poor standard of maternity care these days. My labour ward manager would have gone ballistic if I had sent a lady with this history home without examining her. (I can hear her voice now saying "it isn't logical") OP I hope you are getting appropriate care now.

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 04:53

I'm trying to wait a bit longer to see if the pain goes away, I'm monitoring my 'contractions' they're about 15 minutes apart and 1 minute long, I think that's what they'll ask me when I call again

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LesleyConroy · 19/06/2024 05:02

This happened to me. They said I wasn't in labour, for up to go home and waters went. Hope all is Ok OP.

readyforroundthree · 19/06/2024 06:30

Op, please demand to be seen. My first labour started like this, I also had pains in my back due to baby being back to back. My contractions were also never regular, even at the hospital and I arrived at 4cm. If you are booked in for an elective they should be confirming that you are definitely in labour or not. Not doing a proper examination is not good enough IMO.

Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 06:46

I actually remember now my first labour did start this way with period cramps and progressed to contractions. I have called and they told me to take more cocodamol but I said I need to come in, my stomach feels constantly tight now

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Original poster
Sarahjsxx · 19/06/2024 06:50

She asked me initially that she might do an examination and that I should think about it and see what happens after the cocodamol, it made me feel much better after I took it and she then said I won't be doing an examination then and happy for you to go home

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MyInduction · 19/06/2024 06:50

I had these exact symptoms from 36 or 37 weeks and kept thinking the contractions would get shorter and I'd go into labour a bit early. I ended up needing an induction a couple of weeks later and it was a 3 day labour so this might be happening to you. I've only had one baby though. I was never given anything stronger than paracetamol, even after giving birth when I was in pain. So you're lucky you have a kind midwife!