First baby - am I in labour?

[TrixieVix]

I'm 38wks and have been getting mild period-type pains for the past day or so. Baby has been engaged for 4 weeks now, I know this doesn't mean labour is imminent itself, but must mean things are getting ready for the off?
I've also had backache, and been snappier than usual - my moods have been quite level so far...
Been to the loo 3 times today which isn't like me, and have been thirstier than usual. Wasn't sure if I had a show last night - was quite thick and mucus like rather than normal discharge (sorry for tmi!!), but as it's my first pregnancy, I don't know what the usual signs are etc.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hi trixie......

sounds like your body prepring for labour...not in actual labour....

show can be mucousy , snot / jelly like...can be clear or streaked with blood.....

going to the loo a lot more is a possible sign as your body clears out ready for labour.....

contractions that increase in intensity, have a rhythm and regularity, possible accompnaied by backache, the time betwen them decreases and they increase in length....that is labour , not braxton hicks

and if your waters break, that is usually a good sign

sex & nipple stimulation can help bring on labour if your body is ready to go...

or , go to bed, get some rest and take it easy

keep your fluids up and eat lightly but nutritiously....xx

Hi Trixie, have you seen the antenatal boards? There is one for due in november and we are all in the same boat!

Yes as you say, all the symptoms may mean things are happening - but these things can continue happening for another 4 weeks. all i can say is you will know about it if you are in labour .

I am nearly 39 wks with second baby and its also been engaged for 3 or 4 weeks, most evenings i get the period type cramps and pray that they turn into something more but they don't! I should no better than to get excited as my dd1 wasn't born until 42 weeks.

My advice to you is sit and cherish a peaceful sounding house, and the ability to slob around watching dayime tv whilst you can as it will all change soon! . I know you won't understand that now as you just want to meet your precious little baby, but believe me my dd is nearly four and i cannot remember the feeling of being childfree. As much as i love and worship my daughter i just don't understand how i filled my time before her!

great advice from hattie....!

Thanks guys - think I'm just trying to talk myself into it!! Am fed up with being pregnant now, and as selfish as it sounds, I can't wait for it all to be over now...partly because I can't wait to meet the little fella, but partly because I've not really enjoyed being pregnant. Suppose I've got sleepless nights for a different reason coming up!!
I finished work on Friday, and didn't particuarly want to - I suppose I want him to make an appearance to justify my maternity leave - is that normal?!

yes , it is....as Hattie says...enjoy the peace & quiet, paamper yourslef, get on with the serious business of realxing before LO arrives....you could go another 4 weeks....

good thing to do, is set yourself a task or errnand to do every day, maybe in the morning, then relax in the afternoon..cook a lovely dinner. bath & early bed!

you don;t need to justify maternity leave..you are heavily preganant!

you def need to make the most of your mat leave as this is your first then you need to sleep as much as you can, whenever you can, trust me on this one thing. pamper yourself rotten. you deserve it and if you don't feel like you've worked for it believe me, you will do and you will be too knackered to pamper yourself later so best to do it now while you have chance imo.

it is normal to feel like you should be "doing" something thats what being a woman/ mother is all about and even when you are "doing" something you feel like you should be "doing" something else.

The other half is quite happy to let me continue 'working' at home now I'm on mat leave because it will "make for an easier birth if you've remained active throughout". Not sure who he's been speaking to, but am going to get him to read some of the posts on here insisting on rest and relaxation!!!

OK i'm now on maternity leave feeling exactly like you (desperate to get baby out!). I have a nearly 4yr old to take care of and keep me busy so mat leave is kind of non-existent! Heres what i'd do if i were in your shoes.

Definitely don't get out of bed until 10am, then make lazy breakfast and as lulu says 'do something' whether it be go shopping, meet with a friend, or do some housework/preparation for new baby. Then after lunch i'd enjoy a bath for hours just to relax, get into pj's and slob around for the rest of the day.

I say this because every single time i go get myself a bath, dd comes along and strips off to dive in with me! A child plus pregnant mummy all in the bath does not make it very relaxing .

ill say it again then so he can read it.....

Trixie needs to rest as much as possible, go and get her a couple of mags and a cuppa and a massive bar of chocolate. make sure you clear away the dishes after dinner and if she is lying down a feet massage would be nice.

dp says when im happy he's happy and he's so right

easy for DH to say...he is not growing and nourishing and carrying round and extra person!!

labour is called labour for a reason..you need to reserve some energy for it....!

active..at this stage, means walking to the newsagents to buy heat magazine and a bar of chocolate..not a 15 hour day grafting!

a good labour begins with a rested , prepared and nurtured mother...supported by her DH !

I don't think he's being deliberately unsupportive, but is just his way of coping. We'd been told we couldn't have children about 4 years ago, and only found out about the pregnancy at 19 weeks, so it all came as a bit of a (very welcome) shock to us! Throwing myself into my work has definitely helped pass the time, but I'm just a bit worried that the last few weeks are going to drag - am setting myself little goals for each day (tomorrow is to bleed all radiators - exciting stuff!!) etc.

wow! you must be so amazed!! the last bit will fly...if you only found out at 19 weeks,,honestly..LO will be here soon enough..xx

What follows is a post from a mum with older children!

Please rest up and enjoy these last few days and weeks - your DC will be along sooner than you think and your life will change forever - mostly for the better.

Put your feet up, read the paper - might be the last time for a while, go for a coffee in town - soon enough you will be lucky to ever finish a hot drink, go shopping - without having to worry about negotiating the crowds with a pushchair, go out for dinner together - without having to find a babysitter, have lots and lots of sex - it might be a while etc etc etc!

And if after all that your babe still hasn't put in an appearance - go jogging in the park - worked for my two

I'm so happy about it - truly never thought it would happen! Am going to have a mat leave schedule starting with not getting out of bed until Jeremy Kyle's finished!

Am going to bed now - fingers crossed that it happens tomorrow

LOL you see Trixie? even being able to 'plan' to bleed the radiators is something which won't be possible to plan soon enjoy it!

Congratulations btw after such a long wait!

Are you drinking raspberry leaf tea? I'd definitely recommend it - not for inducing labour, but for toning your uterus to prepare for labour. I drank it with first and had a good short labour, and mw tells me my uterus contracted back very quickly after birth also. so i'm glugging away again this time in the hope to get the same results.

glad you're listening to our advice! keep us posted on the due in november board won't you!