"Early labour".... can this last over a week??

[Pinkmarshmallow]

I know everyone's different, but how long is normal for "early labour" to last before "established labour" kicks in? I'm 39+1 wks today and about a week and a half ago the diarrhoea started. Haven't had it every day since, but bad when it does come every 2 or 3 days. Have a generally upset tummy in-between times. So that was my first sign of early labour.... second is what I think must be the start of mild contractions. I started getting these about a week ago. They come every day and last 2-4 hours then fizzle away. They're pains in the lower to middle back and sometimes come at the front/side of bump too. Sometimes have to breathe through them, they're so strong. They kept me awake for about 3 hours last night. Today the pressure in my pelvis is really bad (have PGP/SPD too but this is a different kind of pressure). Also getting more shooting pains in my vagina... these started about 2 wks ago but today are more regular and come with a burning sensation too.

Should I ring the labour ward tonight to get these pains checked out since they've been going on for so long and not coming to anything more? I have MW appt tomorrow, do you think it can wait til then? I'm just so frustrated and in so much pain, I don't know what to do. Thanks for reading and please give me your opinions if you've any experience of this. THanks.

When you say they last 2-4 hours do you mean you are getting frequent contractions for this amount of time? If braxton hicks they should only last for about 30 seconds.

The burning sensation sounds like SPD - that's how mine felt, towards the end of my pregnancy the pain got worse and worse (sorry I know you probably don't want to hear that!) Could you get an appointment with your GP today for reassurance? I would rest as much as you can for now as you will need your strength over the next few days. Is your appt in the morning tomorrow?

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. By 2-4 hours I mean they come every 10-15mins, each lasting 10-30seconds and go on for 2-4hrs. I'm getting braxton hicks too, but they are not painful, just a tight feeling down the bump.

My MW appt is for tomorrow afternoon. GP closed by now for today.

The pain in your vagina and burning sensation sounds to me like you maybe have a water infection.

Friend had this a week before due date and was convinced she was in labour

I got early labour for about 5 days. Regular BH, a show, leaking waters etc. Didn't really develop into full blown labour at all but that's another story but I'm sure the latet phase can last a long time for some people. Rest as much as you can and take plenty of nice relaxing baths as they should help with painful BH. Wishing you all the best.

yeap it can before dc3 was born everynight for a week I was saying this is it, the only might I didn't think it was it was the night she was born

If you are worried you could ring the labour ward just for reassurance. I would avoid getting admitted for as long as possible though if you can bear the pain.

The early part of labour can last for days unfortunately, mine did. If you are in a lot of pain you could take some paracetamol to see if that helps. Have you a tens machine? I found that a godsend. The good thing is that hopefully these pains are preparing your body for labour and you will have your lovely baby soon

I got this both times for 5 + days - sickness, mild-medium contractions. My waters break really late too. My best advice would be really try to relax into it - I didn't feel anxious, but I wonder in retrospect if I was. Things that helped my labour come on in the end, i personally think, was visulising the birth happening safely and calmly, giving myself a stern talking to about relaxing, and a gentle bath (actually I hopped in my birthing pool). I was in and out of the ward first time, they were happy to check me over, so I would def phone. Second time was home birth so they came and went from my house.

And also what memoo said about UTI would cause burning

Never thought of infection, could be that, but it doesn't burn every time I'm at the loo, so dunno....
Had to resort to paracetamol yesterday. No TENS machine at home as they provide them in the hospital. Bathing twice a day and it helps the backache.

Thank you for all the words of wisdom, ladies. I went up to the hospital last night to get checked out and I have thrush and a UTI. Got pessary & antibiotics & that had better clear things up before birth, MW said it could make birth even more painful if it doesn't clear. Owww I am in so much pain. Who ever thought a mere UTI could hurt so much?... so much so that I thought it was the start of contractions!

Oh hope it clears up and good luck

Thanks, Plum.

Oh I so sorry for you, but glad you have gotted sorted out. Thats exactly what my friend was like, absolutly convinced she was in early labour.

You'll be feeling better in no time

Quick update- went to MW appointment on Wed and she said my urine was clear, not a trace of anything in it. Yet the previous night there was such a long list of things in it! And I hadn't even started taking the antibiotics yet. She reckons the pains could actually be start of contractions... so I'm back to square one! What is going on!?!?!?

Good luck pinkmarshmallow - any news yet?

Nope, still waiting. Pains still coming and going every day. Very frustrating!

Oh dear. Hurry up baby!

Thanks... but can you shout that a little louder please so my baby can hear it?!? (It won't listen to me.)

I had 3 days of contractions every 20 mins before my cervix started to dilate. Some were strong - 3 mins, very painful. But they never went anywhere till my waters broke. The midwives told me this latent stage can last a week.

On the plus side, active labour was only 4 hours. They think a long latent stage can really help effacement, so the labour is easier. I only needed gas and air.

Just an update....Due today! Eeeekkk! Had a small bloody show this morning but nothing else since (just a few short sharp shootin pains, but that's been happenin for wks now!).

Thanks, Qally. I really hope you're right about the shorter & easier active labour!

Ooh pink any news??

Still waiting. Had check up on the antenatal ward this morning, internal exam confirmed I'm starting to dilate but nothing major happening yet. MW wasn't even able to do sweep as cervix still too high. So the waiting game continues....

Well first baby is often late. dd was 10 days late! Time for curries, raspberry leaf tea, walks etc etc!

Well just a bit of a late update from me- healthy baby girl born 27th Feb. Everything went v quick in the end but not without complications- cord around neck so needed extensive episiotomy & vacuum delivery to speed things up. I've had a lot of complications since the birth but I'll not go into all that now. On the plus side, I've a beautiful, placid baby girl.