[Cheryl_W]

I think I *might* be in the early first stage of labour... But it could be a false alarm of course LOL

I'm having contractions that are starting in my back, wrapping around to the front, and about 20 minutes apart - but they've been 20 minutes apart since 11 or so last night, not really getting any closer together. They kind of feel like a combination of an on and off back ache, menstrual cramps, and a stomach ache.

Any idea how long this stage might last? It was been since around 11 last night that they started getting regular, so it has already been almost 12 hours (10.5 actually). Normally when I have BH contrax, they're gone by the time I wake up in the morning - but not this time, they were still there!

Getting kind of excited, hoping it isn't a false alarm!

[Jodi0804]

I hope its the start of something for you! I had contractions like that for 3 weeks or so. It didn't become painful for me until the night I went into labor and that only lasted about 3 1/2 hours total and the contractions were about 2 minutes apart (when I was first checked I was a 5 and got to 10 in less than an hour). I think I was in denial; so when it hurts, it's probably the real deal!

[Cheryl_W]

Jodi - that's what I'm hoping *isn't* the case LOL since I've had lots of false labour, but it always seems to go away when I go to sleep (bathtub doesn't help, drinking water doesn't help, walking makes them worse... but they're all over the lower part of my uterus so I know they aren't real labour LOL)

These contractions do feel different than the false labour contractions I've had so far, and the fact that they're still here in the morning is *very* new - they never have been before. And I've been having false labour like that two-three times/week for 1.5 weeks now...

Hope it means something! I guess if I make it to my appointment tomorrow, I'll ask the midwife I'm kind of in denial, too - constantly thinking "okay, these are different and are coming in a pattern, but that means nothing because..." always finding an excuse - whether it is because they aren't getting stronger, or aren't getting closer together, or because I haven't had any other symptoms of labour (except for constant peeing, now loose stools, a bit of nausea, etc. etc. LOL) I can always come up with a reason why this *isn't* it! LOL

[Micksbabe]

It could be the start, I never had anything like that, when I went into labour my contractions started 5-6 mins apart But I hope this is it for you!!!

[Cait&AngelAbove]

I hope this is it for you!!!

[amazing_love]

Oh how exciting Cheryl!! I hope this it it for you hun!!!

[Mrs.Paradise]

oh Cheryl!!!!! OMGOSH I cant believe it!!!! GOOD LUCK I HOPE THIS IS IT FOR YOU!!!!!

[Jennifer-Jacob's Mommy]

I hope this is it . .for me I didn thave a typical Labour, ididnt have the hardenin of stomach, i had it all in my uterus.. Let me know

[hearts.0nfire]

I hope this is it!

[pthree]

I hope this is it! Although I'm a little jealous, haha NOTHING going on here, not even a freaking BH!!

Keep us posted!! Can't wait to hear what's happening!

[Cheryl_W]

Well girls, after 20 hours of constant false labour (contractions every 20 minutes, sometimes in between the every-20-minute contractions, getting slowly stronger and even lasting through my sleep...) they seem to have finally subsided. And I'm exhausted... Mentally, not so bad - but physically exhausted.

I think it is a mental block though... I think my body was trying to go into labour, but I was having so much anxiety over it (I kept thinking "OMG, I'm not ready for this, this can't be real labour, I can't handle this today, not yet, I'm not ready, etc. etc.") that it just wouldn't happen. I even almost had a panic attack when I thought to myself that it might be real labour, with chest tightening and butterflies in my stomach and everything.

I especially think it might have been a mental block because this morning, when I was still having contractions, as soon as I thought it might be real labour and I started thinking like that (i.e. I'm not ready) the contractions started going all over the place instead of in almost perfect intervals... You could have set a watch by them last night.

My body's desire to go into labour just wasn't stronger than my mental ability to deny it might be happening LOL

Definitely something I'll be talking to the midwife about tomorrow, and see what she says... I don't think she'll be much longer though (scary thought!) - I can't imagine going through another 17 days like this, I'll be too exhausted by the time I go into real labour to even *think* about pushing LOL

Thanks for all the positive thoughts girls, this may still be pre-labour or very early labour, but it doesn't look like little Izzy is ready to make her appearance just yet

[Mrs.Paradise]

awwwwwww NUTS!!!! lol no if your not ready then Im glad she didnt come yet... but girlie you better get ready!!! LMAO!!!! because ready or not HERE SHE COMES!!! LMAO!!! LOVE YA!!!

[*Mommy2Camden*]

I hope this is it Cheryl!!!

[ca_dawson]

NAK.....sorry for typos...

I had I think worst case scenerio, but after going into preterm labor I had intense, regular contractions for 6 weeks solid! Mine were around the clock, at least every ten mins, sometimes sooner. Mine could even get as close to two mins apart and stay that way for hours (eventually got diagnosed with prodromal labor, which really sucks btw!) The only real difference from that labor and going into actual labor was that when I was in actual labor (both preterm and when I delivered) I felt more sick to my stomach and just felt bad in general, like I had a stomach virus or the flu or something. I hope its the real deal, but just know labor like that can last for weeks! I hope thats not the case for you though because it really sucks!!! I can't wait to meet your little girl!