Is it time?

I am going to ring the midwife shortly. Last night I thought it was time. The cramps, hot flashes, nausea, backache. Not just the Braxton-Hicks but the period-pain sort of cramps too. All night. Baby was moving about so I wasn't worried that anything was wrong; you know when it's pain that you're supposed to feel and not pain that means trouble. Slept on and off through the night with bouts of the aches and cramps and stuff. When I woke up this morning seemed back to 'normal' but the aches and pains are starting again. I still have @ 3 weeks to go, more or less. I don't want to be spending a load of time in hospital but am wondering, is this it? Instinct is conflicted - part of me is saying it is, and I had a slow labor the first time, from what I remember (it's funny how it all comes back to you) it started something like this, a slow build up. But another part of me is saying, naaaah. Although given how I feel I don't see how this can go on for another couple weeks, let alone days, without the baby coming.

Input appreciated, if only to distract me while I see if things progress or taper off. Thanks

Sounds like it might be time!     With my first child, which I had in the US, I started having twinges of pain and did all day and night on and off like you, and since I was only two weeks away from my due date I scheduled an appointment with my doctor the following day, nearly 30 minute drive, drove myself saw my doctor who did checked and told me I was in labour and had dialated up to 4 already!  And told me to get myself to the hospital. So I drove myself back home and got my bag.

The second pregnancy I was over here in the UK and started again with the uncomfortable back pains and to be perfectly honest I wished I hadnt gone to the hospital as soon as I did. Seemed like I had to wait around for AGES. But I think you're right in calling the midwife and see what she says, and it will also reassure you and we wish you all the best of luck! 

Dunno.  I had loads of Braxton-Hicks from about 7 months on.  But when I had a first 'real' contraction I could definitely tell the difference.  It didn't feel like period pain, it felt sharp, well, like a proper contraction.

Thing is, I had real contractions for about 3 hours, regularly too, but the midwife said to run a bath.  Sure enough, they knocked off!  They came back exactly 24 hours later, however, and this time they didn't fall off, even after a bath.

I never had any 'show' and my waters never broke - they were broken in hospital when I sort of stalled at 8cm.  

Have you tried a bath?  How about rolling back and forth on one of those big plastic exercise balls?  A walk, perhaps?  

Couldn't hurt to ring the midwife.  Some women stay dilated at 2cm for ages before finally going on to full labour.

Here's hoping for a fast, safe delivery!

Yeah, I have been having the B-Hs for ages now. And what I have got now is not like the 'birth' contractions, but more like what I remember that sent me to hospital last time. Something is definately going on down there, at any rate. I would love to run a bath now but the water service has shut off the water in our estate for a couple hours. Can't even get a quick shower, which sucks. I am sure that would help, esp with the back pain, and since I am not having any show and my waters haven't broken, it should be alright. I didn't have show or waters break last time, either, which is why I am torn about whether this is it now or not, cause it's following along similar lines.

I ended up with a natural birth last time cause I was on such a slow burn, with these achy sort of contractions. By the time I got into the delivery room, it was too late for any drugs. I'm glad for that now but man! A little frustrating then.

Left a message with the midwives and we'll see what they say when they ring back. At any rate writing about it here helps! I will also probably finally get around to packing the hospital bag.

Hey, how's it goin' Stella?     Still hanging in there?  I always had slow burn contractions, sounds like the real thing to me.  I'd probably put off going till the contractions get really bad-a good test is if they make you stop doing everything-walking/talking/breathing-then it's time to go.  You'll be more comfortable at home anyway.  Sucks about hte bath, but maybe a nice cup of tea would help. 
Sending best wishes.  Good luck.   

Can a community midwife come out and give you a check?  Or can you visit a community midwife at your local surgery?  Would save you a trip out to hospital.  And, if the midwife determines you are in labour, she can phone the hospital ahead so perhaps less waiting time. 

I had a 24-hour labour, but sharp, painful contractions the whole time. 

Yes Stella let us know how you're getting along! I had my last baby on the weekend and called the hospital since I couldn't get in touch with my midwife and they told me the same thing, to stay at home for as long as you can handle the pain and still do things. Best wishes! 

How did you feel before you had all these pains? With all my kids I had no idea labor was about to begin because I felt exceptionally good the day before. Im just curious how the day before all this was for you?
Also my labor pains were more like constipation cramps not just period pains.
Keep us updated!!

I have been feeling pretty good up til last night, nothing out of the ordinary except now that I think about it, the last two days I was really grouchy and snappy (much more than usual) and also the pregnancy fog was really bad. And then last night started feeling very warm, hot, nauseous + bad gas sort of feeling, and then cramps, both stomach sort of cramps and period sort of cramps (imagine the worst period cramps ever) and massive backache. The period cramps would come and go. Also some B-H contractions. The backache became constant. Was able to doze on and off, with waves of cramps and pains coming @ every hour throughout the night. Today, still have the backache and the period sort of cramps. Baby is moving about, which is good.

Midwife reckons this is something. If nothing accelerates, I am going in to see them tomorrow afternoon, to see what's been happening. If things progress, I may be in sooner. Then again, I may have 3 weeks of this coming!!

As long as baby is moving and you're not in so much pain that normal function isn't possible, it's a good sign.  Who knows, the baby could be here by tomorrow!

I was the midwife at 2PM and went into labour at 4!  I like to think she kicked it off.

good luck hon!

Good luck Stella!  We'll all be thinking of you!

good luck Stella! hope to hear some good news soon

Best of luck.  Hope you are able to rest with all of this going on.  Having a baby is so exciting!

wishing you luck! ! ! !