So, yesterday I had some really bad, sharp pains deep in my cervix and some regular contractions, too. I phoned the midwife and she said to moniter them and go to hospital if they got worse or closer together... they stopped, though so we decided it was probably a false alarm.

Tonight, though, I've had some really, really, uncomfortable, tight feelings all over my tummy and it's been quite painful... Then before bed I noticed a lot of discharge when I went to the toilet, and when I got into bed I noticed some snotty stuff 'down there'. Hubby phoned the midwife and she said that I had had a show... She told me to go to bed, and that if I was in labour I wouldn't be able to stay asleep. So I'm just waiting at the moment to see if anything else happens.

... just wondering... what does all of this mean? What exactly is a 'show' and does anyone know if this means I'll be going into labour really soon? Or does it give any indication into when labour will be??

eeek, i hope it is nothing, just the baby training you for the real thing weeks away.

A show is the mucus plug coming out.

found this:
Some women will lose their mucous plug or part of their mucous plug weeks before they go into labor. Losing your mucous plug does not always mean labor will begin shortly. Keep in mind that even if a woman has begun to dilate, it may be weeks before she actually goes into labor. As your body prepares for labor your cervix will begin to dilate and thin. As your cervix opens up, your mucous plug may fall out. Losing your mucous plug is a good sign that labor is on its way. Though, it could be days or even weeks after you lose your mucous plug before labor actually starts. Many women do not lose their mucous plug at one time; instead, they lose it more gradually. They may notice an increase in vaginal secretions weeks before they go into labor.

Oh hon, I know how worried you are at the moment. Having show doesn't mean you'll go into labor soon. I lost my plug in stages during my stay at the hospital, usually it was thick snot like discharge and sometimes big globs of blood mixed in. I hope the bub decides to stay put for you Keep us updated if anything happens.

I hope it's just a scare

Try not to worry hun my friend lost her mucus plug at 35 weeks with her first baby and he came late

Thanks girls, that's all very reassuring. I managed to get to sleep in the end and the contractions have stopped so I think we can safely say I'm not in labour... Must just be my body getting ready.

The info that Samantha gave was very good - Where did you find that, Sam?

I'll keep you all updated if anything happens again. x

I think you are just in early stages of labour, and real labour may just be a few weeks away for you. your body is preparing itself for the real thing....i got lots of contractions since 34 weeks as well, and they are getting worse now, with menstral-like cramps and backache which is driving me nuts...

good luck hun!

with me i kept having false labor off and on for 5-6 weeks--- and then finally at 39 weeks i delivered and baby was considered to have already been a week postdue--- anyway
with me--- the false labor pains felt the same as the ones i went into the hospital with after my water broke---

the week before i delivered i had the bloody show---lost the mucus plug and contractions 2-3 min apart--but as i wasnt dilating they considered it false labor then and sent me home until the following week when they could no longer send me home cause my water broke and finally had to help me to deliver

I just googled.