How did you know you were in labour?

[user1468957349]

I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and first day of my maternity leave. Saw the midwife last week but appointments are always so rushed. Just curious as to how everyone knew their labour had started? What did you notice first? Midwife talked about waters breaking but I hear that's not particularly common as the first thing. Hope she doesn't leave me waiting too long now I'm off work!

I only knew I was in labour as did the midwives when crowning! This happened twice. I had contraction for 15 weeks before dd1 and 6 weeks before dd2!

First time they were trying to send me home and second time they were prepping me for a c section.

Currently 26 weeks with dd3 no contractions yet but massively stressed about another rapid labour!!

I woke up at about 6:30am thinking that I had wet the bed, and it kept happening - I thought I had lost control of my bladder, but it was later I realised it was my waters breaking (I was 39+6)!

By 7:30 the contractions were coming thick and fast so I called the maternity unit who suggested I come in to be checked out.

Got in to hospital at 8am and was told I was in labour, although I was convinced I would be sent home.

Baby was born four and a half hours later.

With my first I just knew, even when it was only a bit of discomfort in the beginning. I still put off going to the hospital until my waters broke over 24hrs later movie style. He was nearly born in the car.
My 2nd I didn't know. I'd started and stopped them many times in the run up I didn't believe it when I was. Just made it to the hospital when waters broke, again movie style, 10 minutes later she was here. I could feel my waters bulging in the car and knew if I put a bit of force in they would pop so held on and immediately pushed when in triage. Splosh! I offered to clean it up but there wasn't time!

I had a show (bloody mucus plug) at about 7pm. Then had a mild contraction every 20 minutes for 2 hours. Then every 10 minutes for 2 hours. That was when I went to the hospital.

With my first I was overdue by 5 days. Felt uncomfortable all day. But no pain no contractions etc just couldn't get comfy when sitting etc. Lasted all day went to my bed at 10.30pm waters broke. Phoned the hospital got told to go in to check their was no infection after waters broke but told me on the phone I wasn't in labour cause they could tell by my voice so they said I would get send home after they check for infections got to hospital I was 4cm dilated. Got told I was staying in. They asked me for pain relief and they got my gas and air and was putting me down for an epidural. The midwife was out the room for 20 mins max to book me a room on labour ward. By the time she came back in 20 mins I was 9cm dilated so was taken straight up to the delivery room. She was born 2 hour after. For my first I was only technically in labour for 2 hours.

DD1 I pooed a lot in 24 hrs (in hindsight!) and then went to bed at 11pm and couldn't lie down as I was too uncomfortable so went into spare room and not long after contractions started.

DS I also pooed a lot in the 24 hrs before and felt a bit restless then contractions started, ta da 2.5hrs later he arrived!

DD2 no poo this time but felt really grumpy and didn't want to be away from home in the 24hrs before. Contractions started then 1.5hrs later she arrived.

With first 9 days late, just didnt know what to do with myself all evening, too huge to get comfy, had been having alot of braxton hicks for days but late evening found them painfull. Started to note times after about 3 sharp pains, 3:30am went i hosp, ds born 10:20am. Second was 10 days late, 48 hrs slow labour, induced, always been stuborn that one!!!! Gas and air + pethadine with both. Third, 6 days late, i felt out of sorts all.morning but couldnt put my finger on it! Sneezed in the bath and had a 'show'! Then pains thick and fast, hosp at 1:30pm dd born at 3:14pm, gas only.
Very one and every labour is different but you will know, its instinct. Xx

Technically I was in labour for a day or so before I knew, had a sweep at + 6 days and was told I was 4-5cms.
My waters at 1am broke and 10mins later pains and contractions were 90secs apart.
Baby arrived at 9:50am that day.

It's fascinating reading everyone's replies - thank you. Just goes to show how vastly different everyone's experience is. X

With DS my waters went and woke me up. I was in hospital anyway as I had suspected pre eclampsia so it was a good place to wet the bed

Period pain type feeling came on during the day and then twelve hours later I couldn't walk properly for the waves of pain.

With DD, I woke up and had a vague feeling of soreness. Progressed quickly to period pains that came every few minutes. Think I did early labour while I was asleep

With hindsight, I was madly nesting deep cleaning the whole house from top to bottom the day before. At 42 weeks on a hot July day!!!

Woke up with period type pain about 1am. Went to the toilet and had a show. Realised then I was actually in labour. 22 hours later DS was born by EmLSCS.

Thanks again to all the ladies who replied. 40 weeks tomorrow and still waiting which I know isn't that unusual with the first! I have however had some mild period type cramps and mild back ache over the last couple of days so I'm keeping my fingers crossed she is getting ready to make her appearance sooner rather than later

The day before my labour started I had near constant Braxton Hicks. No show or anything else.

When labour started at 5am the next day it was by way of proper contractions 7 or so mins apart. Painful but entirely manageable to start with.

Waters didn't break until just before pushing stage. I had my show when my waters broke.

I'd had 2 sweeps because I went to 9 days overdue. Had braxton hicks type contractions all week that didn't come to anything and then my water broke at 6am and contractions were suddenly 3 mins apart and I couldn't speak through them they were so strong. By the time I got to hospital I was 6cm!

I used to hate when people said it to me, but you'll definitely know when it's real labour!!

It is tough when it's your first - I know I'm reading into everything and wondering if it's a sign or just my imagination! The braxtons have definitely got stronger and longer as well as more frequent in the last couple of weeks. She is now very low too - in fact I think she could give a wave now if she wanted to