Signs of Labour

Hi ladies

Im 35 weeks along and am playing the inevitable "when´s it going to happen" I went into pre-term labour at 31 weeks (thanks to a UTI I didnt know I had) but I wasnt dilating so the doctors were able to stop the contractions I was having. At my last u/s a week ago, both babies were head down with baby boy leading. His head is just above my cervix but hadn´t engaged. Baby girl was higher up.

These are my sxs so far & have been going on/building in the last 3 weeks or so:
Cervical pressure
Sharp shooting pains through my cervix (ouch! Maybe baby A is catching a nerve) that take my breath away and stop me walking
feeling heavy as my belly´s dropped
Bowels are looser & more frequent. Am also more gassy than normal (sorry TMI)
AF cramps on and off
tired & restless
Dreaming of the birth
White/yellowy discharge and feeling wet down there
Needing to urinate 2 or 3 times during the night (baby girl is sat right on top of my bladder!!)
Hands and feet swelling a lot (my BP is OK)
Nesting

Also my GP said that baby boy probably wouldnt engage as he has no room to drop down. Do you agree with this? Did it happen to any of you?

I know I will know when Im in labour but I just wondered what the build up sxs are like and what your experiences were. Any feedback much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Boy I would like answers to your question as well. You are definitely experiencing more going on than I am. I went to the Dr. today and again no dialation or effacement. How exciting for you!!!

 

Hi Pamallhoney,

Thanks for your answer. I spotted blood last night aswell - wasn´t much - and experienced a contraction early this morning which was AF pain that extended right round to my lower back. I´ve not had anything since apart from the occasional BH. I wish my body would make its mind up!!! My last OB appt was 2 weeks ago and I dont have another one until 2 weeks time so Im a bit frustrated by it all as I´ve got no-one to ask or check me! (Im based in Spain so its the free health care system).

I guess nature will decide!

Are you having a VB or a c/s? - Just posted and saw your ticker with the answer! Only a week to go!

 

I'm still holding out hope that they will turn head down. My friend who is 37 weeks just had a scan and although Baby A was head down, Baby B just turned head down too. So I guess it can still happen. My Dr. wasn't going to check again, but I'm definitely pushing for an u/s now. Are you doing anything to stimulate labor? With my son I ate lots of pineapple, he came about 2 days later. So I have no idea if it helped or not.

 

When I went into labor I had definite pains and my stomach was tight all over. I thought it was just BH contractions but as the day went on they never stopped. No matter what I did, I could not get comfortable. After taking a shower, drinking lots of water, and lying down they never stopped but got closer and closer together. They started out mild, but as the day wore on they became more intense. When they became regular and about 7 minutes apart, I called the doctor and she had me come on in. By the time I got to the hospital they were 3 minutes apart.

 

All those symptoms are things that happen leading up to labor. Unfortunately, that means it could happen anywhere from soon to a couple weeks from now. However, your contraction sounded pretty real! How are you doing now?

 

Hi girls,

HRE: Yes, I saw that it could be weeks or days!! Ugh! Its so hard waiting!

Utopia: Im the same today, I just cant get comfortable and feel very unsettled. My stomach goes hard too but it feels different to the BHs I had a month ago as I dont feel it starting at the top and working down. The babies are quieter today too, so I wonder...

Pamallhoney: Both my babs were head down at my u/s last Tuesday. I hope they´re still in that position. I dont fancy a c/s. I hope yours turn too. Im not doing anything yet to stimulate labour but I could well be tempted to after today!! LOL!

Ive put on 6lbs in 2 weeks - OMG!!! I feel like my belly is going to explode too! I guess its mainly water retention and baby. People who see me weekly say Im getting bigger as each week passes. I was 117lbs before I got pg and I´ve now gained 55lbs - eeeek!

I went to see the midwife today and she told me that its my body building up for labour. She says the spotting I had was most likely my mucous plug coming loose. I feel horribly bloated today and my belly is all hard too. Dont think Im having BHs, its hard to tell. Ive had quite a few AF cramps this morning - on and off every 2 hours. They seem to have calmed a bit.

I broke down on DH today as I was so uncomfy and was having AF cramps. Im OK now but cant get comfortable. I wish my body would decide what its doing. I hope its not going to be too long!!! Thank you for all your input.