What is my body doing?

[woodmill100]

I am 41 weeks gone. Last night I went to bed and slept for about an hour before being worken by what I thought were early labour pains. Tried to sleep through but they were actually very painful so got up about half one. Had a bath and started to monitor what was going on and these contraction type pains were coming every 10 minutes and lasting about 15=20 seconds.

I really thought this was it. More intense than the period type starting cramps that many people talk about. So much that they actually took my breath away and I was scared how I would get on in established labour!

Hot tired about half four so decided to try and sleep. Have now just woken although was aware of cramps since then have basically just woken to nothing!

Any suggestions? Could it have been baby engaging?

[lulumama]

could be a practice run for the real thing.. a run of braxton hicks. getting your body and baby ready for teh birth.

try to rest today. eat and drink and take a bath if you get more pains, it will help to soothe.

real labour pains do not stop once they start, and do not die off if you move around or if you take a bath. they got stronger , closer together, more intense and last around a minute.

[PertweeAndLemon]

"Just" early labour / pre-labour (depends which you find the more encouraging term ). It's all good, but can go on for a week or so, on and off (sorry). The chances are good, though, that they'll start up again at some point in the next couple of days but progress properly this time. Good luck!

[BandofMothers]

Mine used to start then stop if I sat down or went to bed. When I got to 13 days overdue and they started I walked and walked and walked, and even in established labour I had to stay on my feet or they subsided. Thank God they popped my water and dd2 came out within an hour and a half, after long time of nothing much going on, with painful contractions.

[lulumama]

you need to conserve your energy for labour, so if you were up a lot in the night, you should try to sleep today.

[belgo]

As lulumama says, a practice run, although I would call them practice contractions rather then braxton hicks(which shouldn't do anything).

They are likely to be getting your baby into a good birthing position, and starting to prepare your cervix, so are a good thing at this stage.

[woodmill100]

I am pretty knackered this morning right enough. Due to be induced on Sunday so hoping to go before then.

Just a bit scared as to how sore they were!

[lulumama]

you'll be ok. your natural endorphins will build and they help . being active, mobile, and vocalising can help an awful lot.. and then there is water and gas & air. or a TENS . lots of options ..

[belgo]

woodmill - I had two days or so of awful practice contractions, but when it came to the real thing, the contractions were far more efficient, and my endorphins kicked in, and I coped.

And as lulumama says, there are pain relief options.

Try not to be nervous! Good luck.

[BandofMothers]

Try not to worry about it before hand, and then just go with the flow during the labour and birth. It's going to happen, you can't stop it, but if you want pain relief when it comes down to it, don't beat yourself up over it.
I had both mine with just gas and air, and it hurt like hell (sorry - no use saying it doesn't) but you will be surprised at what your body can do and how much you can endure, and it is so worth it at the end when you hold that squiggling little purple, wrinkley creature in your arms (sigh)

I was worried about being induced and dd2 was born 8 hrs before I was suposed to go in for it. Hence the walking, walking, walking

[woodmill100]

Thank you. Same twinges this morning again but not as bad as last night. HOpefully not long now.

Thanks again for your support.