How does labour start?

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone is happy sharing a brief description of how labour started for them? I'm 38+4 now and feeling pretty anxious about the start of labour. I've obviously never done this before and not sure what to exspect! For about the last week I have had daily cramps in lower back that come and go but usually are stronger at night.

Since last night have definitely had some tighning sensations on my belly which I'm guessing are braxton hicks. I've not had these until now.

I've not lost mucus plug or anything like that.

Feel very emotional, cry at everything. Mixture of anxiety and excitement most of the time.

Just wondering if anyone has any memories of what very early labour felt like. Thanks xx

[Hidden]

Everyone will have a different story to tell. The m/wife should be going over every stage of your pregnancy as it occurs Take a look at nhs.uk "Signs that labour has began " The best bit - even thro it can be a bit sore you will just be thinking about meeting your baby for the first time

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this I will take a look x

[CornflowerMoon]

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm 38 weeks and wondering if everyday will be the day. I've been having braxton hicks for many weeks, along with on and off lower back pain for 5 weeks, which is increasing in frequency. I've also had crampy contractions yesterday and today, just one each day though. And I'm exhausted! Feel like I should be nesting 😂 but instead I've just got into bed which is not like me at all! There's been so much going through my mind but I've found listening to hypnobirthing audio books has really helped.

[Hidden in reply to CornflowerMoon]

Oh wow is it your first? My due date is the 28th? Whens yours? Yes I'm constantly thinking when I get the pains this is the begginging of something and then its not. I did some hypno birthing yesterday too which was good, ive also been watching birth videos which I'm not sure is always a good idea. I'm done with nesting really, just making sure I grt some fresh air and small walk then back to sofa and Netflix!

[CornflowerMoon in reply to Hidden]

Yeah this is my first too, a little girl. I'm due 1 Feb. Haha yeah I binge watched One Born Every Minute 🤦🏼‍♀️ My in-laws are trying to travel over to look after our dogs but they've been hampered by snow so I just need baby to hold on until they get here!

[Hidden in reply to CornflowerMoon]

Congratulations im having a girl too! Our girls will he days apart. Feel free to private messege me if you want to chat at any point pre or post birth. I'm going to try breast feeding and know it can be quite hard to begin with. Thats great about the inlaws taking the dogs. I have no pets or children so main concern is when to go into hospital, but just hoping my body will let me know that

[CornflowerMoon in reply to Hidden]

Aww thank you! Likewise, feel free to message me any time. Let's see how the next couple of weeks unfold!

[Eloquentia]

Hi! I had a really strong nesting urge a week or two before labour. Couldn't stop cleaning every surface in the house. In the few days before labour itself I had strong lower-back shooting pains whilst going out for walks. For me, labour started during the night when my waters broke. Very best of luck for a straightforward labour! Try to stay calm and positive (easier said than done!).

[Hidden in reply to Eloquentia]

Oh wow thanks for this, yes I was really into nesting but now too tired! And thankyou yes I will try to stay calm zx

[TeddyBear5]

I’m not sure I had any signs really! I just went for a wee and after I stopped it kept coming out and I was very confused 🤣🤣

Realised after a few seconds that my waters had broken and I lost the mucus plug. My contractions started pretty much straight after my waters broke.

Good luck! It’s a bit scary but so amazing xxx

[Hidden in reply to TeddyBear5]

Thankyou! Is really nice to here positive encouragement x

[soccerkt6]

Hey lovely, I had mild period-like cramps on and off for a few days before labour started. I also had them the day I went into labour, but since I’d been having them for a few days by that point I didn’t give it much thought. It wasn’t until that evening when I had to ask my husband to pause the film we were watching (the fifth Harry Potter 😂😂) because the cramps started making it hard to concentrate, that I realised I was in labour. My waters didn’t break until I was a good 10 hours into labour, though I did start losing my mucus plug 2-3 days before it started.

If you haven’t come across it already, I HIGHLY recommend The Thompson Method course for breastfeeding. The course material is great and there’s a private Facebook group for members where you can ask questions and have them answered by instructors. It’s been a lifesaver as different hurdles have arisen during breastfeeding. Start it before you give birth if you can so that you’re prepared from the outset.

You’ll do great! xx

[Hidden]

Ahh wow thankyou, I just want it to start and haven't even lost plug. Just have to be patient I guess. Thanks so much for info on breast feeding, its really important to me that I do so I will def be looking at that. Xx

[soccerkt6 in reply to Hidden]

I know the waiting is so nerve-racking but just think that every day your little girl remains inside, she’s developing further and getting more robust. It’s a good thing in the end (!) even though I know how uncomfortable these last few days/weeks can be. 💛

I went into labour at 40+3 so I think I probably started losing my mucus plug around 40+1. So don’t fret if it hasn’t happened yet.

Also, if I had one tip for labour it would be to take a bath. My doula suggested it and I was very resistant to the idea because it didn’t sound good at the time, but eventually I relented and it was soooo good. The warm water helps you relax between contractions and it was calming too. I think once I got in I stayed in for over an hour! xx

[Hidden in reply to soccerkt6]

Thankyou for the info about a bath, I hadn't really thought of taking one but it makes sense the warm water would help you relax. Yes very good point about her becoming more robust the longer she is in there! xx

[Boo718]

hello, my waters broke at midnight on the Saturday then I went to bed. During Sunday very little happened the odd twinge here and there then Monday I was in in the morning and she was born at night. But every single one of my friends had had a different labour I think it’s very individual xxx

[Hidden in reply to Boo718]

Hey, thankyou :), oh wow yes I'm just waiting for something to happen like my waters braking or loosing the mucus plug! Your right it seems to be very different sensations for everyone xx