Could this be the start of labour?

[Hybrid]

Ok, I feel stupid posting this as I know loads of people get braxton hicks confused with the beginnings of labour but...

I'm 40+1 weeks. Throughout the day I've been getting really intense BH's and not really thinking much of it as I do tend to get them anyway. But sitting down on the couch tonight, I've realised that they're pretty regular (every 15 minutes or so) and getting really quite intense but I'm not suffering any pain, it's just uncomfortable around my tummy.

I've been for a poo 3 times today (not diarrhoea although I normally only go once).

Apart from that, not really any other signs - no waters breaking (which I know isn't actually that common) or shows.

I guess I should just keep an eye on it but just curious to know what people think - would love to believe I was actually on my way!!!

Thanks for any help!

first baby?

sounds like it could be early labour

fwiw my waters broke in each of my 3 births 10-ish mins before delivery

good luck!

sounds like you could be. Give your midwife a call? or labour ward?
My 1st my waters broke before contractions started but my 2nd broke minutes before birth.

good luck

I does sound quite promising I went to the loo quite a lot just before labour really got going. I don't remember BH with ds but had them for a few days with dd and they definitely became more and more regular.

My waters didn't break before my labours started in earnest either. Good luck

I'd say it could be getting there. My waters didn't break until about half an hour before DD born (been in full labour about 12hrs by then).

Keep an eye on it and if they start to hurt and get closer together then call the labour ward.

Good luck - hope all goes well

PS - should also tell you though that I had regular BH with DS and still had to be induced when 12 days over, so you can never be sure.

Wow, thanks for those quick responses! Have just been bouncing on my gym ball which seems to have (unfortunately ) calmed things down! Not the effect I was looking for.

I'll try not to get too hopeful but will definitely keep an eye on times.

Thanks!!

Could be though. I was on toilet all day I was in labour (TMI I know!). I didn't have a show until 9 1/2 cms dialated, and it's a good job I did as it prompted me to decide to go in - think I'd have stayed at home all night otherwise. My waters were broken for me. Good luck!

Hi Hybrid how are you getting on today?
I'm in the same boat, Started getting mini waves last night for 2 hours, every 15 minutes then they tapered off so I went to bed. Woke at 3:30 getting them every 12 minutes or so. They definitely are getting a bit sore so I got out of bed to Mumsnet and see if it goes either way. However not sore/frequent enough to be convinced they are not BH's!
This is 2nd baby and I'm hoping for a homebirth (39+3)..with DS waters didn't go until 7cm or so in hospital so perhaps won't this time. No show either!

Good luck Citybranch & Hybrid

Hi all,

Just a quick update - as you might have guessed seeing as I'm on Mumsnet, was a false alarm!! Unless I'm one of those slow burners who's in labour for about a week before anything significant happens!!

Hope you're ok citybranch

ps thanks for all your messages though!
x

Ah, the worst bit is the waiting but it'll happen soon enough! Good luck for when the time comes!

Hi hybird!!!

I know wot ya going tru hun im the same 40+2 today and since last sat had pains off and on more like period type cramping pains for me tho rather than across my bump.
Had the runs on wed and then lots yesterday!! Ad bit ov sickness inbetween and thursday i was bouncing felt better than i ever have!!
But still nothing regular, is this ur first baby 2??

mine started as period pains, nothing like BH which didn't hurt at all for me. they were unmistakably painful i'm afraid!! good luck x

Hi stinkypants, did the period type pains seem to cum and go for u?? I know it might sound silly but i dont know wetha im getting braxton hicks or wetha it is baby just stretching out if ya get wot i mean!!
xxx

yes they did come and go - they woke me in the night so were sufficiently painful to interrupt sleep - and were about 12 mins apart, a sort of clenching feeling inside, not on the outside like my BH's were.

Im really confused and getting myself worried now, as iv been experiencing these crampy pains for ova a week now earlier today i had one more or less every hour for 3 hours then absolutley nothing, its the sharp pains low down im experiencing more than bh.
Its my first baby, and im scared 2!! I know im only 3 days over and most wemon go the full 2 weeks ova but its just the fact i have a friend who had a perfect straightgoing pregnancy she was left 2 weeks ova and she ended up losing her baby boy, he became in distress and poo'd inside her and swallowed alot of it. I know this will be very rare but its still scarey.
Im also now thinking that my body cant cope with the labour and birth and thats why its delaying, i may be overacting but just the way im feeling. Sorry xx

Shell don't think your body is delaying just preparing. Which is good as your pelvis is probably stretching to make it so you can birth baby out. As you are worried though have you spoke to your consultant they seem more likely to give you a scan than a mw when your overdue. Mw don't like interfering. Try not to stress as this can delay labor. I am sure you will do fine. After a week of the pains you have been having, your still not complaining, judgeing by that labor will be easy for you.

OHHHH slushy, thanks for that comment.
I havent spoke to consultant or midwife about this as wen i last saws midwife i was only 1 day over. Everyone im speaking to have sed to me that it does sound likley that my body is getting ready, i sure doo hope soo. I have been reading alot about how worrying can delay labour and im wondering if this is my case, i am gonna av to relax and chill a bit more i think then maybe everything will kick off 4 me xxx

I had three days of period pain like aches before they officially declared my labour started (24hr labour officially after that). The last day I stayed in bed though not unbareably painful I couldn't sleep. Contractions came and went at iratic intervals (every 7 mins then every 15mins) and lasted for different times (some lasted 2mins, midwife didn't believe me until she felt my tummy). Waters had to be broken at end. Birth absolutely fine. Made me realise that labour doesn't need to be text book to be perfectly normal. Silly analogy but if you tried to write a summary of the average poo you'd struggle everyone's different. Good luck. Have faith in your body, you can do it!

Thanx for that rumple, im still no further forward apart from the cramps im gonna sit tight iv had a little word with bump and sed im happy weneva he/she is ready. Im gonna just relax and hope it happens soon xx
thanku for your advice and help xxx