How quickly can labout start? Feeling absolutely nothing!

[moonstorm]

So, I'm 38+3 and trying for a VBAC (previous baby was born at 35 weeks -waters broke no other warning- and when I was 35/36 weeks this time, I had loads of cramps and there was worry about premature labour again).

Since hitting 37 weeks, I have felt nothing. I know I am not at term yet, but because of the cs last time (ds was breech), the consultant is going to want to start 'to get things moving' at 40 weeks. They will give me a sweep when I get to 40 weeks (4 days before I think I am 40 weeks) and said they will also start discussing en elective cs .

Now I know I can refuse intervention, but I really don't know what to do. I am concerned that once I reach 40 weeks, my birth will start to get more interfered with (even if I refuse to do things, I will be 'fighting' them off what they want to do as standrad practice) so it seems the best thing for me to do if I want to have a natural a VBAC as possible is to go in to labour before 40 weeks...

Now I know the baby will come when it is ready and not before but after all of teh early cramping I had, I was convinced it wouldn't be long before going in to labour.

So my question is (now that I've got round to asking...) did anyone just go in to labour without much warning? Did it start off quickly? Or didi you begin to know you would go overdue as nothing was happening?

Thanks

I had no warning at all when I went into labour, no twinges or braxton hicks at all. I was 100% certain it would be at least another week before anything happened when my waters broke suddenly and contractions started about 40 minutes later. Ds arrived less than 4 hours after the first contraction at 40+2. Hth and good luck!

Hi moonstorm. Remember that each and every pregnancy is different - you've passed the worrying 35 week hurdle and there's no reason from what you've said why you shouldn't go full term with this pregnancy.
Remember that full term can mean anything between 37-42 weeks. Some people do get absolutely no warning of labour (ie no braxton hicks, no show, no waters breaking etc)but that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll go over 40 weeks. Bearing in mind that you are keen to have a VBAC, I would strongly recommend that you avoid all interventions until 42 weeks.
Having said that, if your doctor feels that there is a medical reason to induce labour then that is different. Provided that your baby is moving lots (the best indication of your baby's health) and everything is progressing normally, have the conviction to fight off intervention - for the sake of a week or two you are much much more likely to achieve the second birth you want.

I was 37 weeks went to bed, woke up at 3am and had him by 3.50am without so much as a twinge before going to bed!

Hi there

I'd like to echo what Gillybean has said. Term is anything from 37-42 weeks.
As a fellow VBACer and now a VBAC coach (in North West London), it saddens me to hear that consultants are so quick to 'get moving' at 40 weeks (sometimes before (!!).
Your body is designed to go into labour of its own accord. Any intervention should be avoided unless there is a legitimate medical reason for it. If you were my client, I would arm you with lots of information and suggest you negotiate any interventions. Typically, if a sweep is going to be successful (ie you go into labour soon after), your cervix will have ripened. What I'm trying to say, is if your cervix is ripe, you'll go into labour regardless of having a sweep.
One of the best things about living in the UK and using the NHS, is that the patient has a choice. Try and hold onto that.

If you'd like some more help with this, I'm happy to run through things with you.
Feel armed and confident!

Mads
Bump to Birth and Beyond

I had not a single twinge, back ache or anything, started having stomach ache at about 9am, decided I was actually in labour at about midday, and DS was out 7 hours later. Although it wasn't super quick, I certainly didn't go to bed the night before thinking I was about to go into labour (despite being about 12 days overdue!)

If you're not happy with the level of intervention that's being proposed, search some threads on here/google a bit and really decide how much and how soon you're prepared to let the doctors interfere. Easier said than done, I know!

Thank you. I know your experiences won't meann mine will be the same, but it's comforting to know others have experienced labout happening without much warning!

I am in two minds about the sweep, I had intended to turn it down (as it only seems to work if you were going to ho in to labout anyway...) but have started to have doubts as if I end up with a cs I want to feel that I have done everything I can to help. The other form of induction is using a cervical dilator balloon, but am worried about the (small) risk of infection.

aaaaargh!

Hi moonstorm

I'm in the same boat (38+2).. Due next week Sat and wondering if there will be any signs at all.. So far, nothing...

Good luck!