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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Do you always feel labour approaching?

14 replies

LuckyOwl28 · 14/03/2013 15:35

Or can it catch you off guard?

I've read up on early signs that labour is close but is that always the case?

I'm currently 37 weeks and don't feel 'close' at all. My friend who is 38 weeks has been getting cramps, back pain, mood swings and extra discharge for weeks now and although I don't envy the discomfort it's making me feel like I'm bound to overdue.

Or am I just being daft?! Confused

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milkyjo · 14/03/2013 16:41

With my first I just kind of accepted that I would be overdue as everyone told me first babies usually are. I had quite intense braxton hicks from about 26 weeks until I gave birth so had no warning in terms of those getting any more intense. I went to bed as normal one night then woke up having painful contractions every 7 minutes regularly at 39+2. I'd had no warnings whatsoever - no loose bowels, no show, no waters breaking, no feeling sick - Nothing! In fact my show came just as I'd got to hospital when I was 4cm dilated. People can have those symptoms for weeks before giving birth, everybody is different. I think the key is to just relax and let nature take its course. That's coming from me who is 40 weeks tomorrow and getting impatient now!

catlady1 · 14/03/2013 16:45

I'm 41+2 today and I don't feel anything approaching. I'm not even particularly uncomfortable. I had a sweep yesterday and I've had a bit of what I think was a show today but no pains or anything. I think everyone's different. Just make sure you're prepared and try to relax and enjoy these last few days or weeks!

NeatFreak · 14/03/2013 17:05

With my first dc I woke up in the middle of the night mere seconds before my waters broke, no signs beforehand whatsoever. With my 2nd I was convinced I was in labour from about 37 weeks and had contractions on and off for 4 days before having him. Sorry if that's unhelpful- fwiw both arrived on their due dates so it can go either way

TeWiSavesTheDay · 14/03/2013 17:07

Not necessarily no.

I did feel a bit odd before I went into labour with my first baby but nothing really remarkable for four days overdue. I went on to have a silent prelabour (I didn't feel the contractions to start with and went straight into established labour/waters breaking. Very TV style labour.)

For my DS, I had a couple of weeks where I was having regular BH before I went into proper labour. But I didn't notice feeling odd or discharge or anything like that. I was very busy as well though!

All births are different and you might have signs you don't notice, or signs that turn out to be a coincidence. When you start having contractions you'll definately know!

EarnestDullard · 14/03/2013 17:14

I had no idea with my first pregnancy until the morning that DD1 was born. With DD2 I had BHs for weeks, was losing mucous plug for about a week and had a show a couple of days beforehand. Also had a 'false alarm' a few days before she was born though, so even things that seem like early labour signs might mean that the birth is still a few days (or even longer) away.

Original poster
LuckyOwl28 · 14/03/2013 17:38

Thanks girls!

So it's impossible to know what will happen. Ooo all this not knowing! I hate feeling out of control. Does make it more exciting though.

Grin
OP posts:
SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 14/03/2013 17:49

I felt ready to pop for at least 6 weeks before birth each time

Bad BH's, boobs flooding the bed every night, babies head down, pressure on my nethers, discharge... name a sign of imminent birth and I had it (from as early as 22 weeks Shock)

The earliest I actually went was 2 weeks and the last one was 5 days over.

Months of feeling like a baby is going to fall out of you at any minute, complete with random contractions, is not fun!

redandyellowandpinkandgreen · 14/03/2013 20:40

Nothing for me, I just woke up in labour!

seekingpeaceandquiet · 15/03/2013 13:36

No signs for me with dd either. I was fine all day with the normal amount of backache then suddenly feeling like I had to push.
No one believed me- not dh, not the nurse on the phone but I was adamant that I had to and got to the hospital and 30 mins later dd was here.
I was in shock for a while after!

Original poster
LuckyOwl28 · 15/03/2013 13:57

seekingpeaceandquiet

Wow bet that was a surreal experience!

OP posts:
Kafri · 15/03/2013 22:16

another one who just woke up one day with contractions. had been looking for signs for weeks and can honestly sau I had absolutely none. I was due over Christmas and was wanting him to arrive early so i could be home for Christmas. was absolutely convinced he wouldn't arrive as i couldn't see any signs whatsoever. woke uo tge weds before Christmas to contractions ten minutes apart. turned to husband and said 'I think we're having a baby'. indeed we were Grin

melliebobs · 15/03/2013 22:17

Nope. At 17 days overdue it appeared out of no where without as much as a braxton hicks or mucus plug to forworn me

pettyprudence · 15/03/2013 22:21

nope, i was pretty much in denial about the whole thing Grin
at mw appt the day before ds arrived i showed no symptoms and he was barely engaged. my mw was a bit surprised to see me the next day Grin

fuddled · 15/03/2013 22:39

nope. no show, no bh and baby only ever got two thirds engaged before being born - dd didn't even move down at all. and all early, before edd.
and just for the record, babies do just as they please Wink

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