Is this labour?

[ShanD93]

Hey all. First time pregnancy here. I was due yesterday (28th June). Starting at around 5pm today, I started getting braxton hick type contractions where my tummy goes rock hard (been having these for about a month) but they are now accompanied by bad period type cramps just above my pubic bone and the feeling of a rubber band being pulled tightly behind my belly button. Do you think it could possibly be labour starting or just braxton hicks getting worse? They’re currently every 4-5 mins average (sometimes longer between) and lasting about 55 seconds on average. Been around 4-5 hours of this at the moment.
Thanks in advance

super excited as waiting over 8 years to finally conceive and she’s nearly here 😍🙏🏻🥺

Any other discharge / signs of your mucus plug dislodging? But yes, you could v well be in labour! So excited for you OP. My advice would be to eat a lovely meal, watch something really funny on Netflix and have the hospitals number to hand if things start to ramp up xxx

Thanks lovely. Yeah been getting odd parts of plug dislodging for a few days. Just little strings of it, nothing too big. I’ll keep tracking the pains and contractions and get myself nice and relaxed. Having a warm bubble bath at the moment to try and ease the cramps (not that it’s working much haha) xx

Sounds like it could be early labour - don't be surprised if the contractions stop for a while. It can be stop-start at first. Expect the contractions to get a lot more intense. With my DS, the contractions were regular for hours, but felt very manageable. When you're fully in labour they're much more painful.

Thanks for replying :) pregnancy and childbirth is glamorous isn’t it haha. Xx hopefully I’ll get to meet my baby girl in the next few days ❤️

Haha after I'd posted that I thought I hope it doesn't worry you! Like, yeah it's painful and exhausting, but you get through it and then you're holding your lovely baby.

I'm 31wks at the moment and looking forward to giving birth again! Hope everything goes smoothly for you ☺️good luck

Oh I’m under no illusion that labour isn’t going to be nastyyyy in regards to pain and gore haha. But it’ll be worth it. Just so excited now, every time I get this pain and tightness I’m imagining her here any time now :) good luck for your pregnancy and delivery too

Ohhh sounds like Labour especially the timings of the contractions! Good luck OP!! X

Thanks lovely. Appreciate it! Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 xx

It sounds exactly like the start of labour!
Wishing you a smooth and easy delivery

May your labour be swift and your baby healthy and beautiful.
Keep us posted . Good luck 🥳💕🤞

Thanks so much. I have everything crossed it continues and doesn’t stop xx 😘

Thanks so much my lovely xx I’m crossing everything I have that things have started and baby girl is here soon xx 😘

It definitely sounds like things are kicking off...but it could still be slow going. With DS1 I had a similar start at a friend's lunch party and he was eventually born the following evening. Hopefully you won't have to wait that long!

It's lovely that you are so excited to meet your baby. I know this sounds a bit hippy-ish but imagine every contraction is a wave bringing your baby closer. Focus on that and pain is not inevitable. I wasn't against pain relief but kept waiting for it to get bad enough to have some but it never did.

Thanks lovely. Have had contraction 3 in ten mins since about 6ish but now suddenly had a 15-20 min gap haha. Typical! I will remain positive that at least things are moving the right direction xx

Think of it as your body limbering up! Oh, and try and get some sleep.

How are things going this morning ?

Yes definitely getting ready xx managed to sleep fine as pains stopped completely. Started getting few niggles again now so hopefully it’ll progress some more xx

was fine this morning. Started getting some niggles and tightenings again now so hopefully they’ll pick up again. Everything is a step closer xx

Ooh hopefully not too long .

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 xx thanks for checking in

Here for baby pics ☺️🤞

Hehe. Hopefully not long 🙏🏻🤞🏻xx lots of tightenings and cramps today

So exciting 👶

Very normal to stop and start, you're doing brilliantly. Mine started on a Thurs night, stopped on Friday afternoon and by Saturday night baby was here...I recommend watching Joe Lycett videos he really made me laugh haha and loosened me up! Sending hugs xx

In hospital now. Came for reduced movements and they’ve kept me in as I’m over anyway. Contracting every 3 mins and getting stronger. 2cm dilated and have been given the first part of induction meds. Hopefully it’s all I’ll need as nice and regular 🤞🏻🙏🏻