Could you tell when labour was near?

[Lizb1990]

Just curious as I have a 'gut' feeling that I'm close to going into labour. Anyone else had this feeling? And where you proved right? I'm a strong believer in gut feelings and suddenly today got a feeling that it's going to be very soon

[Flingmoo]

Apart from being a couple of days overdue so knowing it could start at any moment, I had no idea when it would finally start. It could have been that day, it could've been another week. I only knew labour was starting when I woke up at about 5am one morning with what felt like strong period pains, every few minutes - i.e. contractions.

[Swearwolf]

Not a clue either time I'm afraid! In fact this last time I sent dh off to work and had to call him 15 minutes later to come back - she was here within two hours!

[Lizb1990]

The only indication I have that it may be near is that I've had period like pains for 2 days now but otherwise nothing has changed, just have a feeling , maybe it's just wishful thinking though! Lol

[milkshakeandmonstermunch]

I'm getting a bit of that too. I'm 3 days overdue now. Suddenly feeling very awake and have done tasks like cleaning mirrors, gutting the study and hoovering the stairs (I usually hoover everywhere but leave the stairs just out of laziness). I'm finding it difficult to sit still. This is my 2nd and I can't remember how I felt the first time.

[milkshakeandmonstermunch]

I've had period pains for 10 days now btw so don't get too excited

[WilliamHerschel]

My dd was 4 days overdue. If I remember correctly I had sort of weak contractions for about 3 days leading up to her birth. They were gradually worsening. I knew she was coming soon the night before she was born as they were getting much worse and more frequent and I kept pooing (sorry anyone who is bothered by that.) I didn't sleep at all that night because they were getting more powerful. Then we went to hospital the next day and she was born. I didn't have any gut feeling, I just knew the baby was coming because of the contractions.

[LynseyH]

I had a gut feeling too! Well in my 3rd pregnancy I did anyway.
I ate my way through the contents of our food cupboard on the evening, fully believing I was going to go into labour overnight. I did! And the labour was only 1hr and 9 minutes. He was 6 days early too!

[Oysterbabe]

How far along are you?

[TheColonelAdoresPuffins]

No. Only when I started getting contractions. I remember my hair and skin suddenly went greasy though the day before, but didn't link the two at the time.

[AGapInTheMarket]

A literal 'gut feeling' for me. I did an enormous poo off-schedule - middle of the night rather than regular morning one. Woke up in active labour which ebbed and flowed throughout the day, DD born around 4:30pm.
Good luck, don't be scared x

[Lizb1990]

I'm 35+3 and baby is measuring 5+lbs, no one in my family history has gone overdue but this is my first so I have no idea when to expect her but I just have a feeling I can't shake

[EvansAndThePrince]

I had a gut feeling from the start that I'd go early but when it had actually started I didn't have the slightest clue (36 weeks) just had a sore back but that was nothing new!

[Nikki2ol6]

With my first I felt sick all day the day before. With my second I woke up one morning and bounced out of bed! Where as usually I was crawling out wishing it was bed time again lol.

[musicalmama]

Didn't have a clue! I went to bed with heartburn and woke up with contractions.

[NickyEds]

With ds I had no clue at all! He was due on Christmas eve and by the 21st I had decided he wasn't coming before Christmas so I was mentally making a shopping list for a meal I was going to make for my family when my waters went!

With dd I had weeks of bh, contractions on and off throughout the nights that amounted to nothing...loads of signs and warning but I'd been wrong soooo many times (I was definitely going into labour about 5 times!)that I began to ignore my gut feelings.