I so feel for all of you! I was 10 days overdue and I just about went crazy waiting for labour to begin. Every single little twinge and I was sure it was beginning, but it wasn't.

All I can say is, you will know you're in labour because it doesn't go away, it just gets more intense! Everyone's journey through labour is different- some have long first stages and others not- but the thing in common is that it keeps going rather than stopping.

For me, I had contractions on the Sunday night, but they went away after about an hour. Then I went into labour on the Tuesday night. Cramps started like the previous night- they felt just like period pains. I thought it was nothing (again), but it just kept going and getting stronger.

But because I had so many 'false starts' I didn't actually believe I was in labour until my waters broke and my contractions went to 2-3 minutes apart and I called the hospital and they said "uh, yeah, you're in labour". I was like "oh, really? Great!!".

I was super nervous too and didn't know what to expect. Most people (myself included) say the pain is like period pain. Then like really, really bad period pain. Then like period pain on crack.

But seriously, you really do go into a 'zone' when in labour that seems to take away all your nerves and just make you focus. I tend to worry over everything and way over-think things and get really anxious. But I wasn't like this in labour, not at all. I had this whole centre of focus/calm thing going on- and if I can get that, anyone can.

You can do it!!!