Does this sound like the beginning of labour??

[VeronaH]

Ok this is my second baby but on my first my water broke and was straight into labour so no question as to what was happening but this time past few days have increased braxton hicks, lower back pain and pain in my legs, also seem to be going to the loo more and am very thirsty.

have increase discharge which i am not sure is the mucus plug but have seen no blood or anything. baby is moving alot and when it does i get some pain down below but not all the time.

could this be it??? i am 37+2 at the moment!!

Do the BHs disappear when you walk around? If not they might be real contractions (that was how I knew the difference).

Pain, needing the loo more and thirst could easily be a UTI too. When was your last urine check? Thirst and leg pain are also key indicators of dehydration, as are increased braxton hicks. Drink lots, it's hot.

They're all signs that could be labour, could be bugger all. You might have the baby today or in 5 weeks time.

Rule out a UTI and try and ignore any symptoms unless you can't ignore them and that's a good indication.

when i stand up braxton hicks are more intense but not painful, i had a uti a few weeks ago and past few days have been drinking loads. will see how things progress. thanks for replies.

Also is the discharge watery? If so it could be your waters leaking slowly (this happened to me in the days before I went into labour with DC2 but I didn't realise it at the time).

yeah discharge its kind of watery, pain in my back is getting worse,lower back. might just be bugger all as showofhands said:)

how are you doing now?

Hi Verona I too am 37+2 and feeling similar. what I can remember of my 1st labour the 3 minute apart bloody sore contractions wre a dead give away - but I didn't have a show until after then and my waters were broken for me 13 minutes before she was born.
I too have increased discharge, kinda like period pains in my hips/back and contractions that could be real or Braxton hicks (all this yesterday and now again this evening), although based on what Jacksterbear said I just walked up and down the stairs with the last one and it still lasted.

Yesterday I had loose stool and today I keep feeling like I need to poo (sorry TMI) I have been mega thirsty all day (but can rule out UTI as was at MW this morning and urine was fine) head only measured at 3/5th though, even though it feels lower. I've taken a wee notion to drink milk today - even though I hae been off it most of PG.

MW said that if these on off contractions started again - I should go for a walk - feeling shattered but might see if I can manage a waddle round the block, in fact I could always go pick up more milk :)