Mild contractions started at 40W+2.........how long to go?!

[DS77]

Hi,

My wife is 40 weeks + 2 days and has been having mild contractions since about 2am this morning. They've been about 15-20mins apart but are not massively uncomfortable. We've been out for a walk this morning and they are still persisting, as well as when she rests.

We were just wondering a couple of things.

Firstly how long these might go on for before labour becomes more advanced and we need to go to hospital (i realise this is probably difficult to answer as everyone is different......but is there a chance we might have a Xmas baby!?!)

Secondly is there anything we can do to speed it up?!

Thanks

I hate to say it but I was in what they call pre-labour ie contractions every ten minutes, sometimes every five minutes for three days!

Tell your wife to get as much rest as possible, it could be a long wait.

The only thing I can suggest is DON'T have a bath. Despite this being advised once you're in established labour, I actually found it slowed things right down and afterwards contractions would stop for up to an hour.

Good luck!

Bloody hell. Thanks!