Cramps every few minutes

[Shaziful]

Hi,

This is my first baby so I don't know what labour actually feels like but I've been getting menstrual-like cramps in my lower abdomen that are pretty painful when lying down. They come every few minutes but haven't been timing them per-say..

As I said, they feel like cramps and not what I'd consider "contractions" so don't know what to think as I've had braxton hicks for the past 8 or so weeks that have increased with intensity and imagined contractions to be like that but with pain lol..

Could this be the "latent" phase of labour or should I ring the labour ward as it's coming every few minutes? I don't know if anyone will reply to this due to the time but hey..

 

[graci9]

If they are regular and keep coming every few minutes I would call labour ward. At the beginning of labour contractions can feel like menstrual cramps. If they are contractions they will be coming closer together with time and lasting longer with increased pain intensity.
Time them for a bit and if they are quite regular call labour ward to let them know what's happening.
Good luck!

 

[wispy]

The very first contraction I ever had I knew exactly what it was.
It was exactly as everyone had described - mild cramping which intensified (only slightly to begin with) to a peak then eased off again (like going up a hill then down again).

Just write down the length of pain/ interval between each so that you have all information ready when you call the labour ward.

Good luck! x

 

[MrsS143]

Good luck if it is!

 

[roxyroo]

How are you getting on ? X

 

[Shaziful]

Well it's been almost 24 hours with the cramps coming on strong and painful every few minutes on average. However, I went into the labour ward and was checked. I'm not even fully effaced so not dilating yet.. Apparently my baby is posterior, with her back against my spine, which is most likely causing this long, drawn-out phase. It's so painful I don't know how long I can last and I've had no sleep for 24 hours (after only a 2 hour sleep!)