False Labour Blues

[MrsMeaney]

Barely got any sleep last night because, after diarrhoea all day (sorry) and tightening all evening, my body decided to wake me up with one lousy - and painful - contraction at 1.30am, felt with pressure and a constant need to pee. Naturally I woke up and was waiting for another which just never came.

I never had false labour with my first, so how long does it usually happen before true labour kicks in? Could I still have weeks to wait? Or are things likely to be moving? Should I call my midwife as I'm only 36+3?

Sorry for a million questions. If I was past 37 weeks I'd just ride it out but I'm unsure what to think as she's still technically preterm.

 

[Tootsmaloy]

With my first I was 1cm dilated a week before my due date and had period pains/contractions every night,
Just one big long one each night like you've described. 5 days worth of those and one night my waters going woke me up.

Are they like period pains? Tricky as I know it's different for everyone. If you're unsure id call your midwife, but you're nearly term, you wouldn't need a steroid injection or anything like that at this stage

If it helps ease your worry, I've been having the period cramps at night this time too, not dilated though. Always only at night and not that strong. Just trying to make it to 37 weeks!

It could just be everything preparing, cervical effacement etc.

 

[MrsMeaney]

It was less of a period pain, more like a really big elastic band around my lower bump and pelvis. That's pretty much what my early labour felt like with Blake. I've only had a few BH today and I've got appointments with my mw and consultant tomorrow anyway so I've decided to wait and see what happens tonight.

Don't know if I could cope with a week plus of this though lol

 

[vegas]

I'm 36+5 today and for a few days been getting few random "fanny daggers" sorry dunno what else to call them. And tightening which feels really weird. I'm just putting it down to coming to the end ha

 

[MrsMeaney]

Ah yes, the wonderful fanny daggers lol. Thankfully I've only had one or two this pregnancy. Last time I was plagued by them for the last two months

 

[Tootsmaloy]

Fanny daggers are evil!!

 

[MrsMeaney]

I'm still getting false labour contractions in the evenings. Generally getting more uncomfortable but not getting any more regular. My husband and I had this conversation yesterday morning:
Me: I was having some false labour pains again last night.
Him: How do you know it wasn't real labour?
Me: Do you SEE a baby?!
Lol I think I'm starting to get a bit irritable.

Can false labour stop and start for weeks before the real thing kicks in?

 

[ChloeSmith]

I am getting this too! Every night I go to bed thinking 'this is it' but baby's still hanging on in there. Still 4.5 days til due date tho I spose...

Hope you get the real thing soon xx

 

[MrsMeaney]

ARGH! Two hours of contractions 5 minutes apart last night and then nothing. This is infuriating!

 

[flisstebbs]

I'm still getting false labour contractions in the evenings. Generally getting more uncomfortable but not getting any more regular. My husband and I had this conversation yesterday morning:
Me: I was having some false labour pains again last night.
Him: How do you know it wasn't real labour?
Me: Do you SEE a baby?!
Lol I think I'm starting to get a bit irritable.

Can false labour stop and start for weeks before the real thing kicks in?

Had this for over 2 weeks this last pregnancy. It's totally exhausting and horrible. I hope it happens soon. X

 

[MrsMeaney]

It's been going on for about a week so far and it's always the evening.

I wouldn't care but I'm not allowed to labour at home so it's really confusing lol. If I was labouring at home, I'd just wait and see.

 

[flisstebbs]

Mine kept coming between 1 and 3 am. After the first 2 times I stopped waking hubby up lol
I was in same boat as high risk, it was part of the reason I got induced in the end, although it was more a nudge in the end. Just remember that each of the false runs gets you a bit further on. When I'd had this for 2+weeks I'd got to 3 cm dilated.
Mw may well take pity on you and give you a good sweep to help things along?

 

[MrsMeaney]

She is talking about it, although the consultant is reluctant to give her permission for it. The mw is confident it won't hurt though and I think she does feel a bit sorry for me lol

 

[flisstebbs]

Just seen you're 37 weeks now, they'll be happier to do it once you're fully cooked. They did my first sweep 37+1!

 

[MrsMeaney]

4 hours of fairly painful (but low) contractions 5 min apart this evening. I can't cope with much more of this! They've slowed to an almost stop now but I kinda thought this was it.

So confused about when to ring the hospital as I'm not to labour St home and it's an hour away So fed up.