Hi, Im due to give birth to my first baby in 6 days, so im starting to wonder what to expect when it all kicks off!

For the last week (since last Thursday) ive been getting reallllllly bad cramps in my pelvis area, sometimes they are in my lower back and the tops of my legs, i honestly feel like im havin a period (sorry tmi). First they were coming every 8 mins for about 30 seconds, lasting about 5 or 6 hours then they completely went away, and for the next couple of days i was just gettin twinges of pain low down. but then on Sunday it started again, pain coming every 6 mins lasting bout 30-45 seconds for about 8 hours and then now its completely gone away again!

I was at the midwife last wednesday (before all the cramps started) and she said that she didnt think that I would go the full 40 weeks, so im completely confused about whats happening!

When I was getting the really bad pains, I rang the hospital and they said just to take paracetamol go in the bath and if it gets worse or my waters break to go in then, so im still confused about what to expect!

Sorry, know this is a realllly long post but i was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the real thing feels like so ive an idea?

Thankyouu! Vikki x

Hello vicki, i had my little girl nearly three years ago and have just found out i am regnant again. I can remember a little of what they felt like. To me, contractions felt like cramp, BUT this cramp was over my entire abdomen, back and hips. Its does get very strong....However, people to experience it differently. Before i had my second epidural i could feel alll my muscles contracting/ cramping around my stomach but some people have back labour and feel everything around their lower backs. Does this help at all? Any more questions?? xx

Hiya it sounds like you might be having Braxton Hicks, they can be very painful!
Its hard to describe the feeling of having contractions, I think everyone experiences them differently. I had to be induced with Max so I knew they were definitely contractions. For me it felt like, just really bad period pains to start with. Coming and going. I can't really help much because I went 2 weeks overdue, then (as I said above) had to be induced. xxxxxxx

Braxton Hicks shud be uncomfortable but not really painful. To me, it does sound like a pre-empt to labour but on the other hand, that can go on for a few days more hun, sorry! You will know when it's the real thing coz the actual pain level will increase, and does not change if u move around or change positions.

Hello, Me and My Partner Laura, are expecting in 3 weeks. Over the Last 2 weeks, we have been in and out of hospital, after she has experienced exactly the same thing. It's very frustrating, and to be honest we were searching for answer's asking each and every midwife, just to ge some kind of clue into what was happening. Eventually this was put down to one of 2 things, either a water infection, or just fitting pains. Even though we'd been told countless numbers of times that the baby is 'fully' engaged. I think the advice they gave you is correct though. Until the pain in for a prolonged period and becomes more intense, then you should stay at home and relax. I know Laura became alot more tense when she was in the hospital, and to be honest nothing was really happening, and she felt 100% when she came home. I hope everything starts for you soon and your little one arrives heathy and safe :-) Good luck

Gary

It sounds to me like your getting strong braxton hicks contractions which can be pretty uncomfortable, i'm getting one now as i type this and it doesn't help that i need to pee. lol. It is true when new mums say you forget the pain when that baby is put in your arms because i can't remember them too well but one thing i do remember about them is being bent over the bed or leaning against anything nearby whenever one came because it just doubled you over with the pain. Don't worry though, this was before i had any kind of medication. My partner sure knew when i needed something because i was having one and he was stood behind me trying to rub my back and i kinda donkey kicked him away and told him to go and get me something from the midwife. I just had pethadine with my first and even though i could still feel everything (not as strong though) it really did help me. You will know when its time and i hope it all goes well for you. xxx

Hiya
Sounds to me also like strong braxton hicks. I was terrified what to expect the first time but in all honesty it wasn't anything like I had imagined. Felt like period cramps that were on and off and I was very restless and couldn't get comfy at all. I went to hosp but was sent home again for a few hours and told to have a warm bath. I found it really helped to calm me. Everyone is different and once you've given birth you look back and wonder what you were worrying for in the first place. As bringiton says, you will know when it's time.
Best of luck
Ell x

Thank you very much for all your help, feel a lot better now! I wish you could know exactly when baby gonna come, is it just me or do ya get totally frustrated??! Im so excited to see him, cant wait! neither can his dad, but he works complicated hours sometimes away, so it hard to know whether or not anything happening to get him outa work! happened a few times now, feel a bit bad but everytime i get a twinge im on the phone!

Is there any way that can maybe help get baby moving? Ive heard loads but not sure which ones if any are better to use than others?

Vicki xx

Best advice I had was is that if you are not sure if theyare contractions then they arent. All the twinges etc mean nothing when they finally come on strong! I only laboured for a couple of hrs (emergency c section) but they bloody hurt! Go with them though and focus. If you try and fight them you lose control and they actually hurt more. Good luck x

sorry tmi but the only way i can describe contractions is when u have diaorrehea and ur guts churn and cramp up but when u go to the loo u cant poo! when i went into labour i ran to the toilet straight away because i thought i needed to poo but it was only after these pains came and went a few times then i thought they were contractions. they feel so different to bh and believe me when they start you will know about it!! i got strong bh and was convinced i was going into labour but compared to contractions they were nothing!!! good luck!! strong bh can be a sign things will hapen shortly!! xxxx

Hi Vikki -

I'm due tomorrow so am glad you asked that question!
I also feel completely frustrated now...like you, I wish I just knew when it was gonna happen.

I guess like most people have said on here, the 'start' of labour will feel kinda different for everyone, but when it happens we'll KNOW it! I love reading other peoples stories though..

OH has offered to take me out for a hot curry tonight, I have also bought a fresh pineapple to try - which someone mentioned was good....am so ready to bring it on now!!!

Fingers crossed that it won't be much longer for both of us..

Nat X x 39 wks + 6 days

Oooh yea, i had some fresh pineapple yesterday and my waters broke this morning! Went into hospital with mild contractions but was sent home cos baby wasnt doing anything, just making my stomach tight which was more unconfortable than anything!

Booked in at 9 o clock tomorrow, which im likin cos i know for def that he coming! hehe. unless a start getting proper contractions before that!

cant wait now, bit nervous though!

good luck with your baby, let me know how it goes!

Vikki x x x

Oooh yea, i had some fresh pineapple yesterday and my waters broke this morning! Went into hospital with mild contractions but was sent home cos baby wasnt doing anything, just making my stomach tight which was more unconfortable than anything!

Booked in at 9 o clock tomorrow, which im likin cos i know for def that he coming! hehe. unless a start getting proper contractions before that!

cant wait now, bit nervous though!

good luck with your baby, let me know how it goes!

Vikki x x x