Early labour signs?

[Saveitforarainyday]

Hello all. I'm 38 weeks and 6 days pregnant, and have had an awful day today. I'm finally on maternity leave (day two!) and woke up this morning with nausea and a stomach upset, quickly progressing to pretty extreme vomiting and diarrhea. Sorry really too much info, but I couldn't even keep water down for a few hours - it was like water coming out both ends! sorry - the glamour never ends does it? Now finally managed to refresh myself with water and have eaten soup and bread, no more bodily expulsions since about midday. Still feeling crappy and washed out, mild cramping in my abdomen and ache in my thighs. Did anyone else experience similar in the run-up to labour? I'm wondering if this is just a virus/off day or could be leading up to something tonight. I know there are no magic forecasts, but I would be interested to hear if anyone had similar experiences.

Haven't called midwife or anything as doesn't seem that serious, and I'm managing to keep water down now so not too worried.

Assuming you're still there, I had cramps for about 24 hours before the waters actually broke. Are you sure you were not leaking from there?

Yes still here thanks, I have been rather damp for a few days down there, no obvious trickle or gushing, but annoying dampness. Not sure what to make of that really.

Maybe ring the ward to make sure you are not actually leaking?

I'm not sure it's a bug as my over half doesn't appear to have been affected - he's fine! I was wondering if it's some kind of purging thing before the big event. In any case seems to be calmer now, still queezy and very heavy feeling when I stand - like the baby is going to fall out! Hopefully not long now though x

Other half*

Speedy delivery. :)

Thank you Lweji, and I'll keep an eye on the dampness. If it was constant I would have called midwife unit by now, but just seems very on and off. I've been kegaling like crazy but could still be weak pelvic floor. Oh the joys! Lots of braxton hicks too... can't be long now. Having said all that I'll probably still go two weeks overdue and be so miserable... x

It's so hard to tell, with DS I sort of knew at dinner time that I would go into labour that night (I actually slept through and woke at 5.30am and had him at 11.00am). I went to the toilet about three times which probably gave me a hint!

With DD I had no clue, I'd dropped DS at nursery in the morning as usual and then had a contraction out of the blue at 11.00am and had her by 3.30pm!

How far along were you the first time, Chips? Both sound like nice short labours! Fingers' crossed. It's my first baby, so I'm not sure what to expect really.

How are you OP? I'm currently 38 weeks 5 days and feel pretty much the same as you. Had a funny tummy the last week and feel very damp down there I'm also very shakey and just don't feel normal. Hoping something will happen soon.

DS was 40+6 and DD was 40+4 I really recommend a water birth if possible, it helped me a lot with the contractions with DS, but didn't get to use one with DD which was a shame!

Hello Ilikemashpotatoe, I'm OK thanks, 39+1 now - no baby yet. Still have a dodgy digestive system, no more vomit but things are still 'falling through' me! Getting lots of Braxton Hicks still as well, plus twinges and this very heavy feeling, like lots of pressure down there. On and off dampness continues as well. I guess i just don't feel 'right' and haven't since Tuesday.

Wearing panty liner to keep track is helping reassure me it's not my waters leaking though. I think we get quite hot and sweaty down there, plus increased discharge and some wee leakage. Honestly, so glamourous.

It's just a waiting game isn't it? Keeping looking out for signs, trying not to read too much into every twinge. I thought when I originally posted that something was going to happen that day, such was the violence of the expulsions i was experiencing, but obviously not! I've read you can have this dodgy, loose stomach for a good few weeks prior to labour. Ho hum!

And Chips1999, yes I'd love a water birth - I've let my midwife know. I'm aiming to labour at home for as long as possible, then head to the local hospital (only half a mile from my house) for the hopefully final stages and pushing. Whether or not I get my water birth totally depends on whether a pool is free.

I'll call ahead in good time though and try to convince them to get one ready for me. I've heard it can really help in terms of soothing and taking the weight off during transition and pushing, as wel as softening down there for an easier exit. I'd welcome any tips!

Good luck mashpotatoe! x

I had the exact same thing. I woke late on the Sunday with a dodgy tummy spent afternoon in the loo feeling I had a bug from 3pm. I was getting Braxton hicks alongside but no pain so thought I had a bug. Long story short I felt ill all evening and midnight I started to feel painful contractions. Ds was born 9.20am

I'm 40+5 and haven't been feeling right for about 4 weeks, nasuea, on and off diarrhoea, twinges. And I'm still waiting for baby.

Sounds like we're in the same boat ZombieZoo, wishing you all the best for when it does happen. Things are still the same for me as well. x

PS Insomnia too! But that's been going on for aaages.