can someone remind me - is this the start of labour..

[mousemole]

I'm 39 weeks pregnant with DC3 so really should be able to remember what the start of labour feels like but I cant..
Had a dreadful night's sleep, couldn't drop off and then today it is so painful down there I can hardly stand and walk. No contractions bar a lof B.Hicks and what feels like horrid period pain/aching all over. Is this the start ??

I shall be watching with interest as I'm 38 weeks with number 3 and have had exactly the same all night. I feel really shaky too. I have a sneaky suspicion though that it may be one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions and could be imminent or could be weeks. Have been really uncomfortable for days though and am feeling really, really fed up!
I shall be keeping fingers crossed...

yes!!!!!! I had what I thought were braxton hicks too, but they were actually contractions because when I checked I was dilated!!!

Tigermouse, I am really shaky too. Feel like I have been out drinking all night and then not eaten/drunk. I wish....!
Onthehill - how did you check if you were dilated ?

"how did you check if you were dilated?"

Well, just a guess, but am assuming she didn't ask a magic 8 ball.

You know what you have to do....

LOL at Plastic ! Dont spend too much time examining down there if possible - its a war zone.

I wouldn't bother anyway. Firtling about up there is best left to those paid to do it.

If it is labour, which it may well be the beginnings of, it will become obvious in other ways one imagines.

any news mousemole? Nothing doing here....

hi tigermouse, just been to the hospital and got wired up and monitored. Yes, I am contracting but they are doing nothing. Cervix is apparently 'firmly closed'. Going back in tomorrow for a c-section which was always on the cards due to previous compliations but today's visit confirmed baby is in weird position and they want to get him/her out.
Yikes ! How are you ?

Ah well, nice to be proved right at least, even if it's not actually doing anything!! As long as you're both healthy, then that's the only important thing. How exciting...you get to have your baby tomorrow
Bet you can't wait for cuddles. Mine seems like the longest pregnancy ever!

I'm still having lots of practice contractions, but nothing actually happening either. Hoping that a good yomp around the Hampton Court Flower Show tomorrow will bring things on!

Hope everything goes really well for tomorrow

oooh, just popped back on this one, good luck!
I checked I was dilated by having a feel! helps if you know what your cervix feels like UNdilated....am I the only one who does this ?