Early Labour Signs?

Currently 40w and I’m experiencing irregular period like cramps. When I feel the cramps, my belly tightens like I’m experiencing Braxton hicks. Not sure if this is my body dilating? Was at my OB last week and was 0cm dilated, went today but didn’t receive a cervical check as I was told not much can change in a week. I wasn’t experiencing any of this cramping last week though.

What do you think this is and what were your signs of labour if you have already delivered? (Btw this is my first).

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

Sounds like your possibly in labor. I hope all goes well 🙏🏾❣️

In a similar boat and things did change for me in 4 days. Got 1 cm dilated on Friday though I wasn’t dilated at all on Monday

Update for anyone in the same boat:

Went into labour on Tuesday (Nov 12). For me, it felt like period cramps that wouldn’t go away. At first I thought it was the same thing as above^, but they started to get closer together and slightly more painful

I eventually called a nearby hospital (4 hours into the cramps) and asked the OB ward it if I was possibly in labour. They told me if I was, I wouldn’t be able to speak and I would know for sure 😐. 3 hours later I went to the hospital I was set to deliver at and found out I was 4cm dilated.

It was painful but bearable (through breathing techniques and using birthing ball) until I was about 6-7ish cm. By the time I was probably 8-9cm, I was in such bad pain. By the time I was 10cm it felt like an upset stomach + someone sucker punching my stomach from the inside + badd period cramps. At this point I was asking the nurses to take the baby out😂

Listen to your body! If you reallyyy think you’re in labour, you probably are!

in our community

Anyone else up feeding their Bebe?

As above. Trying so hard to keep my eyes open

Is this normal??

I’m 29 weeks pregnant and having really aching legs and they’re all lumpy and swollen. Above the knee and behind the knee . Should I be worried ? My legs have never looked like this up until a few days ago. ??

Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Gave birth (vagina) 5 days ago and yesterday morning and this morning getting lot of pain in my right bottom side and lower back

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.

Would you bring 9 week old to a family party of 35+ people?

These are also people who will want to pass the baby around and get a turn to hold him. He just got his 2 month shots two days ago