Beginnings of labour? Should I feel this bulge down below?!

[ExquisiteChristmasCake]

My due date is today. Already had a ds (20mo). Woke up with chronic back ache and cramps at the top of the thighs, chilled out today with my TENS machine (having a home birth so not much else to do). The pain has subsided to be a bit dull, but I am suddenly acutely aware of a bulge in my fanjo. It feels as though there is a grapefruit pressing against it from the other side...could this be the head and is it normal to feel this? Or could it be my waters?

Ds was an easy labour (woke up 10 cms gone and literally began to push whole ordeal was over in a few hours) so I "missed" the beginnings of labour and have no idea what I should be expecting. I know not to bother my midwife to come out until I have contractions/a show (have rung to let her know I'm feeling a bit weird though).

Is it normal?

Exquisite - I had a similar thing with DD2 - It was my waters and she was born not long after. I had had no real contractions just a bit of an ache and occasional twinge, went to be checked at the hospital (other medical conditions needed checking out) and she was born not long after :)

God you've just brought back memories of walking round asdas feeling as if I had a bowling ball between my legs with DD1. I think it was her head engaging and if I remember correctly had her the next day...

Oh Christ. Not too sure what it is I should be doing in that case. Hmm. Should I ring my MW and just check this bulging isn't some sort of I don't growth or penis?!!

I felt this, and had a feel up there - i felt the sac of waters

an hour later she was in my arms

Er ring your MW. your last labour would make me wonder if things could happen like er now?!

My waters broke at the end of my labour with my ds.
Feels rather horrid.

I'm sitting upright on the sofa with my feet together (almost like a meditation position) and it's really bulging either side of my "lips" (TMI sorry).

Well I can't "reach" my hand up there, my bump is rather pronounced. Bugger. i don't want to waste the MW's time if it could just be a no space issue.

I did Google it but got a load of stuff about new born baby heads.

You won't be wasting time.

Ring.

Sorry to whine on, but I'm not having any contractions, just some tightening at the top of my stomach which aren't a new thing. The only thing that is difference is is that my tummy has gone soft instead of rock solid, and had a bit of mucusy discharge (no blood no show not enough to be the mucus "plug"). I just don't want to call her out for her to stick her hand up me and say, it's nothing (sweeps really freak me out let alone hand examinations).

Ring. You don't have to have a sweep. Just a look.

She might not come out - just speak over the phone? She might have an idea of what it is.

Ring your midwife! I am sure she would rather be prepared in case things do happen than everything be rushed!

Sounds like things are starting to happen, and if I was a midwife I would be rather intrigued to come and inspect your 'bulge' LOL!!!

Good luck!

RING!!
Seriously.
Is there any one else there with you who can have a look?
When I felt that DS2 was born about 5 mins later

My husband has sodded off out to a snooker match. Bugger.

Ok will ring her now.

I just can't see this little one popping out without any contractions.

Maybe I should bounce on my ball and see if it fucks off changes position?

MW can judge whether she needs to come. Just give her a ring

ringing

Just a thought as you mentioned your bump has gone soft, could your waters have gone? As in been trickling, as mine went in early hours, woke me up but I didnt realise for hours just thought I was a bit damp down there!

My bump dropped a lot and was soft like you describe, I wonder if the bulge is babies head that has moved down and engaged?

I felt pressure, wouldn't have described it as a bulge though but hey we are all different!

And I agree as above, you dont have to have her rummage,from what you say it will be enough to 'see', as it were!

Good.

You slept through most of your last labour so maybe you can't feel anything?

GOOD LUCK

Ooh edge of seat....

Ok, she said;

"Ooo that normally means things are getting started...your membranes are starting to strain. Would you like me to come and out and examine you?"

Me: "Not unless it's abnormal, if it's the usual then I'll just hang about until labour kicks in."

Her: "Well I'm off to watch the rugby tomorrow so hopefully I can deliver you tonight, get on your ball!".

So we'll wait and see. I hope I'm not bulging for a matter of days, I bet if I could see my groin it looks unsightly...!

Typical of my bloody dh to be out. Bloody typical.

There's a reason that your groin is one end of your body, and your eyes are the other. Some things are not meant to be seen.

Fingers crossed for another easy labour for you....

Wow!!!! How exciting!!!

Good luck!

Can you really not reach at all? My dsis had this, and she had a bit of a grope and broke her own waters

Good luck, hope its over quickly