To ask if you had any signs before you went into labour?

[Moonbear10]

I'm 38+4 and desperately want out now!
I think it's wishful thinking, but today my cats have been clingier than they ever usually are, following me around. I'm also developing a blocked nose and funny feeling eyes. Absolutely shattered aswell.
Could they be signs that it's getting near??
Did you have any signs (however weird!) before you went into labour?

I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind, but it's so hard not waking up every day and willing every little thing to actually be something!
I've been getting twinges all day today, still not holding my breath though

I had lots of braxten hicks on the run up to labour. I was really worried that I wouldn't recognise when I was in labour, but I knew right away, even though mine was an unusual, complex labour and my waters didn't break. I would think though that everyone is different. I would suggest that you make sure all your hospital bags are packed, if not already (I strongly advise you take enough things for a week in case you need a c-section like I did. I had only packed enough for two nights and really struggled) and just try to relax as much as you can (though I know how difficult it is). Best of luck, it's a wonderful time, even if it might seem really stressful now.

Had a huge, massive cry. Really big, for no apparent reason (must have been hormone changes). EVERY time, went into labour within 12 hours. By fourth pregnancy when I cried like a drain I knew labour was imminent.

I had big belly and then followed a few days contractions and that was it. It really differs from one to another but it's good to be aware of what you don't normally feel that gives you the thinking that could be it.

With DS (first) I woke up the day labour started and felt v energetic so I lay awake instead of going back to sleep after my morning wee. By 9.00am I had mild “working muscle” type burning feelings (IYSWIM) and I knew that was it. This was the Saturday morning and DS arrived 32 hours later. He was, in afraid, a week late.

With DD, I got very angry te evening before and phoned my sister for a rant. She totally humoured me and apparently said to her DP after the call that I’d “...go tomorrow for sure...”.
After getting into bed, it became REALLY IMPORTANT for me to read this particular book, so I went to lie down in the living room rather than keep DP awake.

Finally turned in at almost 2.00am. Woke up by contractions at 3.02am; looked at my phone, said “You little bugger!” when I saw the time. Spent an hour timing contractions and obsessing over the kitchen, packed a half-eaten apple and a bottle of soda water into my bag because they were ESSENTIAL, woke DP up. DD arrived at 8.00am.

My sister phoned at 10.00am or so to see if anything was happening...

DD was three days early.

Hospital bags are all packed and waiting in the back of the car, seat is installed in the car ready to bring him home, pram is assembled... I can't help but think that if I wasn't organised with it all that he'd come sooner
Had pretty bad BH during the night and didn't get much sleep, still the same twinging pain as yesterday too but nothing else.
Knowing my luck he will be as late as he can be!

2nd pregnancy - nothing physical, just felt the need to get the baby's crib ready the day before, even though he wasn't due for another 11 days. The next day I woke up with a small amount if bleeding and a sharp pain in my lower abdomen. I didn't know if this was labour or not so I phoned my Mum who said it was. Baby was born 4 hours later.
3rd pregnancy - felt tired, a little bit 'fluey' the night before like I couldn't be bothered with anything. Woke up in labour again. (4 days before due date).

The day before I had a huge burst of energy and cleared out the spare bedroom and tons of hoarded rubbish.

This nest building is quite common I think.
Went into labour early next day.

Don't get your hopes up too much, I've had every sign going since 37 weeks, plug went at 38 weeks but i'm still here at 40+5, miserable as sin and with raging daily PMT and painful braxtons that go nowhere. Try and get out as much as you can and stay busy or you end up doing your own head in. Good luck OP hope you have more joy than me!

DD1 and DS my waters went (39wks and 34wks).

DD2 I had no idea what early labour felt like because with the other two I didn't have that. I went into hospital once a week from 34wks, thinking I was having strong contractions. I could even feel baby's head/dilated cervix if I had a naughty check myself! She arrived at 39+4, weighing 9lb 3oz, when I begged the midwife to break my waters and get it over with after having another day of strong contractions.

I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind, but it's so hard not waking up every day and willing every little thing to actually be something!

Ah - I just assumed mine would be late, and it made those last few weeks much easier to cope with.

Plug went this morning (sorry if tmi!) and I've had really bad tummy and back ache most of today, but still nothing groundbreaking... I've resigned myself to the fact that he probably will be late, gives me more time to sort the house out though I suppose!

Lost the mucus plug.
Baby dropped so belly took on a different shape
V tired

That sounds positive @Moonbear10 !
Keep us posted

My firstborn was very overdue, so I decided she wasn't coming ever(!) and just got on with the decorating. That day I had been shopping, on the bus for a hospital appointment, and finished off painting the ceiling. Just as I came down the ladder my waters broke, but I still wasn't convinced. She was born about 6 hours later. my brain literally was telling me it wasn't going to happen

@mumoseven painting the ceiling is always guaranteed to make stuff happen! 😂
Still nothing, just have on and off tummy and back pain
Got a cracking headache this evening too which isn't helping things.

Cleaning and tidying like a mad woman, a few hours before I went into labour. Also, all day i had a dull aching pain in my lower back and was peeing constantly. I didn't even realise I was in labour until I was drying my hands after another pee and realised I was clutching the radiator and rocking backwards and forwards to ease the aching.

Been having some pretty bad period type tummy ache on and off, but still no sign of an arrival any time soon
Was so irritable last night and just wanted to tidy everything, hoped that'd mean I'd wake up in the night all systems go, but alas, no such luck...