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Original poster

35 and a half weeks - are these contractions?

47 replies

artichokes · 09/11/2008 17:51

With DD I was induced so I have no idea what the start of labour might feel like.

Yesterday I had a show.

Just over an hour ago I started getting intense braxton hicks. Not painful just very hard tightenings at the top of my bump.

For the last 45 mins they have been accompanied by period pain at the bottom of my bump, down low. The tightenings with pain only last about 15 seconds and then pass. They come every 4-7 minutes and in between I get tightenings with no pain.

That is it. No other pain. No upset tummy. My belly button has suddenly popped out (it has never done that before).

Are they just bad BHs or should I call the ward?

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Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 18:14

Bump.
Its still happening.
I might try a bath.

OP posts:
kitkat9 · 09/11/2008 19:07

are the BH much stronger than you're used to? It does sound like the start of labour to me - call your labour ward/midwife and ask for advice. How much pain are you in? Does every contraction hurt a bit more than the last?

I was induced with dd and was told nothing would happen for 48 hours, so it was a bit of a surprise when I realised 7 hours later that I actually was going into labour - I had what you're describing to begin with, and coped with it until I had to go to the labour ward (I was in the hospital at the time) when the pains got much worse.

Call your MW! Good luck!

pixsix · 09/11/2008 19:21

Arti! Spotted this in active convos and thought it must be someone from our thread. No advice but if things are getting going, GOOD LUCK!!!!

Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 19:22

Thanks KitKat.

I had a bath and the low down period pains have stopped. The tightenings are still continuing and they are so tight they make the top of my bump slightly painful. However, I do not think this is labour because the period pains have stopped and nothing is getting worse.

I guess only time will tell.

I don't want the baby to arrive this early!

OP posts:
Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 19:24

x-posted pixsix.

as you can see I do not think this is "it".

I suspect yesterday's show has made me over vigilant to all pains.

OP posts:
pixsix · 09/11/2008 19:27

Fingers crossed the baby hangs in there for a bit then. Hope you are ok.

Mum1369 · 09/11/2008 19:31

Why not call your midwife and ask her to pop over and check you out ? No harm in checking and it may help you feel a bit clearer about things instead of worrying. Good luck.

Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 19:40

I wish that was an option Mum1369. Where I live in London it is inconceivable that a midwife would come to your house.

If I call the hospital and they think I need checking then they will tell me to go in. Obviously I will do that if things get worse but DD is in bed and so DH would have to stay with her and I would have to go alone. That is soooo unappealing at the mo!

OP posts:
Mum1369 · 09/11/2008 19:46

Sorry to hear that.Are they still pretty regular ?

Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 19:48

the period pains have gone. the tightenings are every 2-4 mins and last about 30 seconds now. but they are not that painful, just very tight.

that is bh isn't it?

OP posts:
Mum1369 · 09/11/2008 19:52

My bh were always much more erratic to be honest. I think you should call the hospital and ask - better to be safe.Just call and ask their opinion.
Any midwives on here ??? Can you give an opinion ?????

dinny · 09/11/2008 19:54

Artichokes, you sound like me when I had dd (at 35 weeks and 5 days!)

everyone said - oh, it can't be labour, but it was!

didn't hurt that much - just regular tightenings

I think you should defo go in and have them look at your cervix

Mum1369 · 09/11/2008 19:56

Sorry artichokes, just re-read the thread & saw that you had a show yesterday. I think you should call the hospital now and check their opinion.

JammyQueenOfTheSewers · 09/11/2008 19:59

Do get this checked - I had DD at 35.5 weeks. At 12 noon I was told I wasn't in labour, at 4.15pm I went back to the hospital for a 2nd opinion and got sent straight to delivery where I was told I was 6cm dilated and she was born at 6.30! I was in denial about it being labour until the MW insisted on doing the examination at 4.15. I actually told her I didn't want to waste her time, it probably wasn't labour, I was only 35 weeks after all. So do err on the side of caution, and good luck!

dinny · 09/11/2008 20:00

gosh, snap, Jammy

obs said "oh, you're not in labour", then examined me and was 6cm.

good luck, artichokes

DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping · 09/11/2008 20:01

I woudl say you need checking.

The BH in isolation do not concern me too much.

BUT you had a show yesterday - this is an indication that you cervix is probably starting to open.

The pain you suffered earlier is likely to have been because your cervix is starting to open

Every contraction you have will also release hormones which stimulate the next one...and the next...and then it does end up being labour.

It sounds to me that you definately need checking at labour ward. Please ring them. From your description I do think that there is a good chance that you are in labour (or will be within 24hrs).

Incidently - prem labout doesn't have to be painful (or particularly long). I got to 9cm+ without feeling a thing (painwise).

please ring delivery suit. If you catch it early enough they can attempt to stop labour.

flimflammum · 09/11/2008 20:02

BHs aren't usually regular, are they? It may be 'warm-up' contractions, which can stop and start or develop into labour. I would definitely phone a midwife. They usually say it's not established labour if you can talk through a contraction, but it may still be the beginnings of labour.

Good luck! Do something relaxing if you can.

Original poster
artichokes · 09/11/2008 20:02

Oh God, OK, now I am scared!
Am going to call the maternity ward.
Those of you who gave birth at this point in pregnancy - were your babies ill at birth? How serious is it to be this premature?

OP posts:
JammyQueenOfTheSewers · 09/11/2008 20:03

I had an internal exam at 12 when I was told it was not labour and my cervix was totally closed. So either he was a numpty, or he started something off. Mind, as I was having contraction like feelings and thought I might have lost some waters in the morning and think I had a bit of a show just before the examination, it might be that he was a numpty!

DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping · 09/11/2008 20:04

Aitches was 34+ something. Her DD2 was on soecial care for 1 night.

My neightbour was 34/35wks and stayed in 1 night.

The mostly likely problem baby will have is a slow start to feeding and maybe a bit of jaundice. All easily rectified.

34/35wks is pretty good. May not even need special care but you need to be at the hospital where paeds are available if necessary.

EnchantedWithEdwardCullen · 09/11/2008 20:05

hi arti,

try not to worry, I've been told I can have my baby at home from 36 weeks onwards so Im sure a baby born at 35+5/6 will be fine

good luck!

very exciting!

dinny · 09/11/2008 20:05

don't panic! dd was a good weight - 6.7lb. all fine, had paed at delivery as she was early but didn't need any treatment

only thing was she was v reluctant to feed - think the sucking reflex is sometimes not developed completely

and they monitored her blood sugars for ages

JammyQueenOfTheSewers · 09/11/2008 20:06

My DD had jaundice and had to have some of her blood replaced with saline as she had a high red cell concentration, but otherwise was fine. The blood thing put her in SCBU for 2 days but it wasn't a major problem. And she was 6lb 15.5oz!!
Oh and I got through labour on 2 paracetamol, though it did smart!!

dinny · 09/11/2008 20:06

oh yes - and was jaundiced

DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping · 09/11/2008 20:07

Thats true 35+5 is infinitly better than 35+0