The start of labour?

[Shahhhh]

I'm 37 weeks exactly and woke up this morning whilst having a really vivid dream that I was in labour and I actually did have some cramps, but I noticed I just had to go to the loo badly (sorry, TMI) and it was kind of like diharea.

Since this morning I've had on and off almost like squeezing in my bump??? Almost like period cramps but definitely slightly different. Very uncomfortable. I'd say in the last 2 hours or so the lower back pain has started, all around the bottom of my back and kind of around my hips. I've been on my feet most of the day so unsure if that's what it is...

I haven't got any blood, no mucus plug, no waters broken. I have watery discharge but I tend to get that a lot anyway during my pregnancy.

How is this sounding? And this might sound so silly (I'm a first time mum) but when should I can the maternity unit? Is this just kind of what the last few weeks feel like?

I'd ring the maternity triage and ask their advice you could well be in the early stages of labour, good luck!

Also - feel like I need a wee but don't... the on and off feeling like I've got an upset stomach is how I'd describe it but weirdly it seems to have eased off since I've sat in bed (for about 15 mins)

I'm waiting for my partner to finish work then I'm going to call the unit and see what they say!

This sounds like the beginning of labour. You might not necessarily lose the plug at this stage and your waters may not even break until you're in established labour. Give your maternity ward a call and try and time the tightening of your tummy to see if there's a pattern x

I had the back pain at start of labour so fingers crossed.

I'm 36+4 and actually started my own thread a few days ago about early signs of labour as I was getting a lot of the same.

I had a lot of tightenings, back ache, shooting pains in my groin and pain around my hips and pelvis. I also had sickness and loose stools, lots of pressure down below, pressure on my bladder etc.

This lasted about a day and a half then today most of the symptoms have gone! I'm still getting some Braxton hicks and have a lot of pressure/heaviness but it's nowhere near as bad as it was.

I've got a growth scan tomorrow so will see what's going on but I definitely think she has dropped now.

Keep us posted!