IBS sufferers - how did you recognise early labour...??

[babyignoramus]

My IBS usually involves stomach cramps getting progressively worse, leading to diarrhoea (sp??)

It's been much more settled during pregnancy, mainly I think because it's usually set off by over-eating or snacking at strange times, and as my appetite has been much bigger these things haven't been an issue. However, the last few days I've noticed my stomach going back to its old ways, but at strange times, eg. the middle of the afternoon (IBS usually affects me in the evening or middle of the night). I get cramps and stomach pains and have had some 'loose' poos (although no actual diarrhoea). But I also know that this can be a sign of impending labour. I've had it after most meals and haven't been as hungry.

Any ideas...??

PS for those of you advising me last night, the labour ward have advised and I'm pretty sure my waters are still intact!!

I didn't. Despite being 41 weeks, was convinced I was having IBS attack for 3 hours. Contractions were identical to cramps and also had diarrhoea. As labour was only 6 hours in total, only just made it to hospital in time! Am expecting baby number 2 in a month, so will be more on the ball this time. On the plus side, having endured IBS meant early labour not bad at all and I managed the birth with no pain relief. You'll know for sure it's not IBS when the contractions start stepping up!

How many weeks are you? I've got the same thing but my IBS symptoms had gone for the pregnancy til now. I've just been trying to decide if it's food poisoning that's started it off or if it's a very early labour sign.
I'm 35 weeks.

The night before my waters broke with DS1 I had one of the worst IBS attacks I have ever had, with dreadful stomach cramping. I tried practising my breathing and was horrified to find that it made no difference whatsoever!

Waters broke the next day (don't know if it was linked to the IBS attack), and when I did eventually go into labour - 10 days later! - the contraction pains were very different. Started more like period pains - lower and duller. In fact, I would go as far to say that IBS is more painful than labour contractions.

Although the fact that my labour was only 4 hours long compared with a 6 hour IBS attack could be the reason for that!

I didn't...
DS was induced, so I didn't need to recognise it.
DD I blamed the pain and cramping on a spicy Chinese meal even though she was my second and I was 42 + 3. My mother knew I was in labour before I did, which she found very amusing
Good luck!

It doesn't stop!

I didn't either! Sent boyf out for some deflatene or such like. Only when I was spotting did I briefly consider it MAIGHT be labour. Even then, when I got to hospital I had to ask MW if this wa a contraction. I was fully dilatd and baby's head could be seen by the time I went to Tri-age!

I've had worse IBS pains than any of the labour pains!

Hmmm, interesting stories here....

I'm 39 weeks on Wednesday, and still finding that my tummy's playing up a bit. I also find if I overdo the chocolate or anything (who, me? ), it's making me feel quite nauseous, which is not like me at all - I've always found problem foods go straight through rather than making me feel sick.

I've been coping with IBS for 20 years - I hope it is worse than labour - labour will seem like a doddle if that's the case!

I am pretty sure I have IBS although never actually been diagnosed with it. I would say that you might not recognise the difference to start with, but TBH that is probably a good thing, if you are low risk etc. As soon as you know you are in labour, the time goes so slowly and you keep thinking of the pain, too excited/worried to get rest etc. If you don't know you are in labour, it will seem a lot quicker and won't do you any harm. When you are in full blown labour - you will know about it!