Signs of labour

[kirinm]

For some reason possibly because I am not at all ready, I'm paranoid about going into labour early. I'm 37 weeks so baby will be okay to arrive now if that's what happens.

I'm just wondering what signs / symptoms (if any) did people have before labour started. The only things that have changed recently are braxton hicks, I get them all the time now but nothing painful. And also some horrible dreams but I am quite stressed so not surprising. Also discharge, lots.

No show, nothing that feels like a contraction or anything exciting like that.

Watching this, same position as you @kirinm I could have written your post.

Have you tried any of the old wives tales yet?

No @Blissfulignorance but that's because we definitely aren't ready yet. If we reach that point and she isn't here, I'll be grabbing DP and insisting on sex.

I think every one is different but for me I had terrible back pain (worse than just standard pregnancy back ache) and diarrhoea the day before I went into labour. Also I know it sounds terribly cliche but you really do know the difference between real contractions and braxton hicks as soon as they start. Good luck x

Poo. Lots and lots of poo just before labour

If you just can't get comfortable enough to settle even for a couple of minutes and keep shifting about, I reckon you'll go in to labour in the next 12 hours. (Based on a sample of 2 labours, both mine.)

I'm 35+3 and I've been woken up with awful back pain, right above my tail bone, it's there all the time but seems to get worse in waves and also odd pains around the front! Taken 2 paracetamol and got hot water bottle on but none seem to have any effect, is this me in early labour??

Any news Sausage? Back to back labour pain is unrelenting. There are no waves like with a 'normal' labour.

@FoldyRoll was in MAC for 6 hours, midwife could feel me contracting but my waters and plug were still intact so sent me home to rest and if I get any worse to go in, they haven't eased but not get any worse so just sat with hot water bottle and paracetamol

Glad you're OK. You're in the home stretch now!

I remember having loose poos and losing a bit of my plug in the days before I had DD. It still took days. I had on and off contractions for a few nights. Then had a sweep at 39+6. DD arrived on her due date!

I've had a bit of a dodgy tummy today and some period like cramps but am not expecting anything to happen - although am going to amazon prime the rest of my hospital bag stuff just in case!!

Similar to others I had back pain I remember waking up thinking I had slept awkward. Went to the toilet and had my show. Had DD the next day. I was 38 weeks.

It took me an hour to realise my pains were contractions. Had my show come away over the course of 3 weeks. No other real changes.
I didn't sleep the night before I gave birth though. But then I'm a notoriously bad sleeper anyway

First hint that anything was about to happen was when waters went - full-on gush in the middle of a restaurant - at 36+4. Sometimes it does happen just like on telly...