am I in labour? help pls... 39+1 xx

[Iwant2beamum]

Hello. I'm 39+1. Had a sweep at 38 and 38+4. Lost mucus plug at 38+2. At last sweep i was dilated 1cm. Medium cervix. 1.45cm length in posterior position. Today I have been cramping alot... it's getting more and more and it's in my back and my stomach. I've had a few tightenings but only when moving round so I think they are BH. My OH and me DTD the other night and he said I felt different to last week (even when I was dialated). Sorry if TMI! I want to time my cramps but it would be hard to work out where they start and end and I can talk through them. Makes me think it's not labour yet. I have had quite a few stabbing pains in my cervix and today he feel like he's pushing right down on me. Tons and tons of pressure. I yelped it was so strong. Midwife said head was 3/5 engaged and 2/5 could be felt. I just wish I knew what was going on!!!! :/

 

[MemmaJ]

I would say probably not quite at the moment (or maybe you are now, as your post was a while ago!)

You're looking for regular, consistent contractions that remain that way for at least an hour (because you may have a few regular ones and then a few irregular ones - they should be consistent. Or you may have regular ones for half an hour, that then become irregular again).

Everyone is different, but general rule of thumb is regular consistent contractions, at least every 4-5 minutes, lasting around 60 seconds each.

If it's your first baby, the early/build up to labour, which can include the cramping/irregular tightenings that you describe, can last quite a while unfortunately

 

[Iwant2beamum]

Thanks so much for the reply. I just feel at my wits end now. I need this pregnancy to be over. It's been the pregnancy from hell. They want to induce me at 40 weeks too Coz my baby was big and I was polyhydramnios but I'm not anymore. I keep DTD. Hopefully that will help... thanks again xxx

 

[MemmaJ]

Any joy yet....?