What are labour signs?

[Carolinemy]

Am 40 weeks today and everyone keeps asking me 'have you had any signs yet'. Whilst i know the obvious ones like a show and waters breaking, what other signs should i be looking out for that could indicate labour is on its way?

A very strange urge to clean your house. Odd one but true! It's called the nesting instinct.

If you can feel that the baby has 'dropped' (if there's a space between your boobs and tum now!)

Needing loo more often because baby is lower and now pressing even more on your bladder!

Constipation

Thank you heQet. Have not had any specific cleaning urges, even when estate agent came yest to revalue house! Bump still propping boobs up. Worried will be looking at an induction like sister and mums babies and they both had quite serious complications

Sorry to hear that. Easier said than done, I know, but try not to worry. Can you have a word with the midwife, tell her your worries, see what she says / suggests?

Maybe try some of those labour inducing tips too?

curries
raspberry tea (I think, some tea anyway!)
sex and nipple stimulation (I can't help feeling that was written by a bloke )
castor oil

i've read that an increase in CM down below, 'loose' stools, cant remember what else.

i cant remember with my DD what signs i had, i just woke at 2am with a very unhappy tummy which turned into period type aches, then 2 hours later contractions!

oh lower back pain i think aswell.
good luck!!

there are a few 'signs' that labour is on its way, however on its way could be hours for some people, and weeks later for others!

The only true signs are regular painful contractions.

However some people have a show as their cervix softens, nesting (caused by an increased in prolactin, interesting enough suppressing this can stall labour, strange but true!)
Some people have a bog poo as your baby clears a path, increased cervical discharge, backache, a dragging feeling... the list is long and very subjective!

People always ask things like that! It's like when they ask if you have a 'good baby'!

remember induction is your choice, you don't have to accept.

natural alternatives include caulophyllum (I swear by that!), sex, orgasm, nipple stimulation (all 3 produce oxytocin, which has been linked with onset of labour), clary sage and finally just relaxing and let your baby decide when its time to come!

Good luck!!

Many thanks for all comments. Have been having a few period type of aches so hopefully that means something will be happening v soon.

The waiting is driving me insane!