To think this could be labour?

[Linds33]

Hi all
Sorry about posting here 🙈

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with baby number 3. I'm booked in for a section in 2 weeks time but have a sneaking suspicion that labour could be on its way! With my 1st I didn't get any build up symptoms, my waters broke on my due date and I ended up having an emergency section 2 days later. With my 2nd no signs just planned section at 39 weeks. This pregnancy has been so different! Baby has dropped and I'm feeling pressure and movement down below. Getting some cramping but not all the time and back ache most days. Today though I can't stop pooping (sorry)! Also heartburn has drastically decreased. I've been nesting the past two days and getting everything ready. Not as tired anymore. Does anyone think it could be labour? Thanks 😁

None of the signs you list suggest very imminent labour, apart from possibly the loose bowel, but they're all signs that your body is gearing up to birth. Could still be weeks away, if left to your own devices.

Are you able to have a natural birth and is this something you would like? As you have a planned section booked I would ring your midwife, they may well get you in to check you out xx

It could be but I had all those symptoms for 2 and a half weeks before I had my last dd. Don't get too excited yet. Every day I kept thinking it was happening and was disappointed.

Would you prefer a vaginal birth??

Thank you. Think I'm just at the stage now where I'm over analysing every little thing. It's hard being this big and trying to entertain 2 more 😂

The pressure, cramping and loose bowels could be early labour symptoms. I had these symptoms the day before I had my baby.
As you are booked for a section I'd call the midwife team and ask for a check.

I've been advised not to as I had a lot of internal scarring from previous sections. TBH I've not been given a lot of advice and end up looking it all up myself. They said if I go into spontaneous labour they will bring me in and do a section. I'm quite nervous as the day is approaching and I'm worrying there will be complications due to scarring.

I think I will just call them to put my mind at ease if anything. Thank you. I'm a bit of a worrier.

Good luck! I'd also ask for an appointment with someone who can clearly explain the benefits and risks of both vaginal and caesarean birth - just to help you make an informed choice - it's not up to anyone else x

Thank you all xx

I was booked in to have a planned section with my current baby.

Three days before my section I had really uncomfortable and persistent lower back pain to the point I had to stay in bed all day and take pain killers. I also started suffering with diarrhoea for no known reason.

At 2.00am that night I woke up with excruciating back pain where I felt like everything inside me was being squeezed and twisted. It lasted about 3 minutes then stopped.

I woke at 6.30am with intense back ache again which was continual so I decided to have a bath. I was worried I may have a kidney/water infection because the pains were so low in my back so I rang maternity triage to see if they wanted to assess me in case I needed treatment before my planned c-section.

The Midwife asked me to come in and within two hours of being there it was identified I was in labour. Things ramped up very quickly and I ended up having an emergency section that night.

In hindsight I can't believe I didn't question whether labour was about to kick off, I genuinely just thought it was typical back ache.

Good luck whatever happens OP

Thanks @Writerwannabe83. I'm having lots of BH but no pattern to them or anything. Backs still hurting and I'm limping when I walk as feel like water is gonna break if that makes sense? It all feels very fragile 'down there'. . I don't feel like I will make it to 39 weeks for my section. Something is telling me it's gonna be any day now!

On I the day I went into labour with my first I couldn't stop pooing!! I think I had about 6 throughout the day then went into labour at about 5pm. Good news was, with all that pooing in the day, I didn't poo myself in labour. Different story with my second baby. Oh my god, why I am I telling you this!? Good luck with your labour. How exciting!

When I went into labour I pooed a lot and felt very rested. With my second I felt like that from 38 weeks until my induction a couple days off 40 weeks. So who knows? I hope your baby is fully cooked and preparing to arrive, two little ones and a giant bump sounds exhausting.

I should add I didn't feel rested the whole time from 38 weeks! But more like my waters were going to go and the baby fall out. Sadly it took more effort than that to get him out!

It's all so exciting! We all can't wait to meet him! Although I'm obviously nervous about the section. They said if all goes well I'll be home after 24 hours!! Can't believe so soon after an operation! 2 weeks away still seems so far!

My third labor was very different to the first two. I had bad back ache which worsened on and off. Lots of random Braxton Hicks but the two didn't match up. Got to the point where I got in the bath as it hurt so much. Then had some random insipid contractions a couple of hours later which then stopped. Went to bed and woke up to waters breaking. Baby was born less than an hour later. Basically, the point of all that waffle was that labour can start in the back only so if they are coming and going and hurt a lot, you could be in labour.
If you're in doubt or worried at all, call your midwife. Just because it's not your first baby doesn't mean you can't ask for advice. Good luck OP!

I don't feel like I will make it to 39 weeks for my section....

Mine was booked for 39+5 and I thought they were pushing it a bit fine.

Baby had been almost fully engaged from week 34 so my midwives didn't think I'd make it to my c/s date without something happening naturally first.

My first baby had been an ELCS and about a week before having my current baby I'd said to my DH that part of me felt sad that because I was having another c/s I would never get to experience contractions or know what it's like to go into labour etc, lol - I clearly jinxed myself

Thanks everyone for all the input. Let's see how it goes tonight and if it gets any worse I'm gonna call the midwife.

Haha @Writerwannabe83! I keep saying to DH that I think I'm gonna go early! DM thinks I will too. She was early with me and 2 siblings so I think she thinks it's genetic lol. I suppose he will make an appearance early if he is ready. Xx

Yeah if you have any niggles or think you could be, just pop up to the hospital. After two sections, they'd rather see you than not (they wouldn't want to stress the scar, however scar rupture etc chances are quite rare).

@TribbleWithoutACause I will do. I'm petrified of any complications as it is so the thought of scar rupturing makes me want to pass out!