What were your early labour signs???

[Jess850]

39+4 with DC3 and six years since last labour so memory a little fuzzy.

I know that when it kicks in I will know all about it and there will be no mistaking it (nervous ha ha) BUT I am trying to guess if I am in for a two week+ wait or not - impossible I know but when you get this close I think it is hard not to wonder if every little thing is the start?
I have had backache - not just lower but it my sides and upper back are feeling very compressed too and a feeling that I need to 'go' all the time since yesterday but nothing when I do.

What happened before your labour kicked in so I can over-analyse every little twinge I have please lol.
P.S. I am really crapping it now it is getting close - Is anyone else?

M first sign was my waters going, both times. I would LOVE to have a baby born in the caul....

I look back and I remember feeling "off" before my waters went with DC1. Lethargic and restless at the same time. Weepy and irritable. If I'd got a pregnant pet dog behaving like I was I'd have known she was in labour or about to go into labour, but I didn't see it in myself!

With DC2 I had what I thought was indigestion the afternoon before.

I don't think there is a time you can pinpoint the start. I think the last days of pregnancy and the early part of labour just blend in together!

Nurture yourself. Try to ignore the impulse to analyse every twinge, because, believe it or not, that could actually hinder your starting! Labour is something we do with our primitive brains and our rational minds get in the way.

I'm wondering the same thing, 38weeks with dc4 and two of mine were a week early, I know it means nothing but keep looking for signs too.

My first sign with dc1 was my waters going, but with the other two I don't really remember and my waters went during established labour, had quick labours so hoping my waters go first this time so I know it's starting and can get organised and to hospital asap

Just adding a note of support.

I'm 38+1 weeks pregnant with my first. Am having occasional lower back pain and a weird sensation that my inner thigh muscles are being ever so slightly stretched/tightened from some spot deep inside me. But nothing else. I'd love to know what other women are feeling/have felt so I can analyse my 'symptoms' too.

Dd was my show then starting contractions later. With ds I was in had to do 6 number 2s in about 4hours then contractions :)

With dd braxton hicks and a show the day before it all kicked off. So this time when I started having BH thought things were imminent but now been going on for a week and nothing else happened! Also had spurts of restless energy, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, crying at 60 minute makeover... All of which I convince myself are 'signs' but evidently not... Only 39weeks so potentially another 3 weeks of impatient symptom spotting!

Thanks All and hope it kicks in for you soon fellow full-timers.
I am still waiting today at 39+6. I have been patient and fine with it but really want it to happen NOW lol.
Still got that feeling as if I need to go and nothing there and back is very achy but the constant hoovering/cleaning may be the cause of that.

Good luck with the wait! I'm sure it won't be too much longer now.

I'm not in any hurry really - knowing that EVERYTHING is going to change once the baby comes but I do find it very interesting to see/feel what my body is doing naturally as my pregnancy draws to an end.

I felt lethargic and had mild period pain type feelings. Then that night my waters went and contractions started about 7 hours later

I had a HUUUGE row with OH the night before over something really daft. Went to bed at 11pm but couldn't really settle, dozed off around 3am and woke with humongous backache at 5am. DS finally arrived at 7.15am the following day!

40+1 today and not a sausage.

If I need a wee I get really strong BH but as soon as I have been they go - would like the real deal now.
I have been on Maternity Leave a week and fed up already. I love spending time with my DC but wanted the Baby to come before they go back to school so they could spend some QT - moan, moan moan get me - I am off now to go and get stuff done take the Kids out and make time go quicker lol - good luck to anyone else waiting.

I had what I can only describe as period pains for a week or so before DD was born, lots of little cramps and niggles, the mw said this was the cervix starting to soften. She did a sweep and I was already 2cm dilated. Had my show two days after the sweep, and then went in to labour two days after that. Apparently my waters had been leaking ever since the show though, and I didn't know - no trickle, DC1 so had no experience. If you are getting twinges I am sure you will be starting very soon - good luck!

Absolutely no symptoms with DS until waters went when I sat up following a nap (thought I had wet myself and actually sighed and thought, the final indignity). I was 40+8 at that point and had had an unsuccessful sweep the day before (in the words of the mw my cervix was in lock-down!).
My show only came later, some not long after the waters but then the rest of the show came out with a massive contraction about 6 hours in.

DS was induction so not really applicable. Saw friends the day before DD was born and they said afterwards I just couldn't settle at all. Was fidgety & pissed off. Kept kneeling down as it was the only way I felt comfy. Next day I woke up and decided I really wanted DH, DS and I to go out for lunch together. I ate like a horse for the first time in months , drank a glass of rose and literally just pushed my knife and fork together when the first twang came!