Please can someone give me some urgent advice?

[Benjy]

Hi

I am 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Baby been engaged for 2.5 weeks. Have been having strong pains this morning but ridiculous as sounds don't know if these are contractions or not. I thought you feel contractions at the top of your bump but these are lower down and sorry if tmi am feeling pressure on my bowel like I want to go to the toilet but I don't need to. They are coming every few minutes but not lasting the same amount of time each time I get one: some longer; some shorter but very painful. Stronger and longer if I am active. Husband is at work an hour away and I don't know whether to ask him to come home. In case you hadn't guessed this is my first! Does it sound like I'm beginning labour or is it something else?

Thanks.

Yes it sounds like something is starting to happen imo - ring your midwife for advice though but yes if it was me I would probably ask your dh to come home. Good luck!

Ps Should say I've got two dcs already

They do sound like contractions. In my experience, they are not always at the top of your bump. My contractions with my first labour were only in my back!

You could phone your labour ward and ask for their advice.

You could also take a warm bath, if they are not real contractions, they should stop in the bath.

ANd phone your dh.

If they are continuing regularly, I think you at least need to speak to your midwife. I'd be tempted to phone DH as well.

My labour pains were low down, like period pains, and the pressure on the bowel meant I felt like I had to go all the time.

Call them, Benjy! Ooh, exciting - a new baby.

Could be, could be Braxton Hick's. Either way it doesn't sound as though you're in established labour yet (you will know when you are). I had contractions like that for a good 12 hours before any 'real' contractions began.

Take it easy and don't worry. If they become stronger and more regular then give DH a call.

If you're worried you can always call your midwife for some advice - that's what they are there for.

Forgot to say - also had contractions like that 7 days before I went into labour.

call your m/w plus get your dh home.

They really don't sound like braxton hicks to me as they aren't painful (uncomfortable yes but painful no - at least not in my experience) - don't panic that your dh is an hour away though - even if things are starting to get going, it is not likely you will need to rush to hospital anytime soon ala the women giving birth on tv!

Thank you all.

They are painful - enough that I have to stop what I'm doing through one - but I have been doing a lot this morning: vacuuming, etc. Now I'm sitting down I feel them less. The frequency and duration of each one isn't regular so this probably isn't the real thing yet, is it? I've phoned DH but told him to stay at work for now. If I'm like this for another 7 days (Youknownothingofthecrunch ) then I don't want him running back and forth all week.

I have been having raspberry leaf tea for the last few days (couple of cups a day). Should I keep taking this in your opinion or give it a miss? Sorry I know this is another stupid question. I've been so scared of giving birth plus there have been some questions over whether or not I can have a natural birth that apart from NCT classes I've tried not to think about it; partly through fear and partly because I haven't wanted to be too set on a particular way of giving birth that might not happen. Have also been told I might not be able to have an epidural which has added to my anxiety. Not that I have decided I will have one but I would like to think I have that option if I find the pain unbearable.

Thank you all for your quick advice. I think I'll go for a walk soon. I guess if this is it, it will help make the contractions stronger.

why have you been told you might not be able to have an epidural?

Oops - meant to say that I had 24 hours like that a week before I went into proper labour

Even called the midwife out and she agreed that I was in labour (I wasn't).

They did hurt, but not as much as the week after IYSWIM.

Braxton Hicks can be painful - we're all different.

Let us know if they get worse - very exciting. Hope it all goes really well for you.

Thank you.

Belgo, I have scoliosis that has never been surgically corrected so they aren't sure they will be able to site an epidural and if they can whether or not it will be effective. I have an appointment to see the consultant anaethetist on Wednesday about this. Because my pelvis isn't symmetrical they have said there is a possibility it will end in caesarean but they would like to give me a chance to deliver normally.

Hi. Yes, I can talk through most of them, though I have to stop what I'm doing and focus on them iykwim.

Could someone tell me whether or not I should stop drinking raspberry leaf tea? I thought I'd take them to make contractions more efficient but perhaps I don't need it?

Thank you. Feeling a bit calmer now. I'm going for that walk now so will be away for a while.

Benjy Glad you are ok. Wouldn't worry either way on the raspberry tea.

Its understandable to be scared of giving birth - it hurts - a lot! But I managed with no pain relief whatsoever both the last two times with no fixed ideas beforehand about having/not having drugs - much to my surprise and partly in response to my mother saying she thought my pain threshold was lower than hers . It helps to be flexible and to feel you can go with what happens at the time - being informed always helps though. Whatever happens, the baby will come out though, one way or the other.

Walking and moving about did seem to speed things up for me so I hope it helps.

And? Is it? Isn't it? Are you in hospital right now? [over-eager emoticon]

Just wanted to thank you all for your advice. Unfortunately, it was a false alarm but have a better idea what to expect now when it does happen.