what were your first signs of labour?

[chloeleanne]

So what were the very first signs that you experienced ladies had that you were in/ going into labour? Im a first time mum 37 weeks pregnant and just curious as to all the unknown signs and symptoms that there are?

For the past few days ive been experiencing back pain, menstrual like cramping, shooting pains in cervix, sore breasts and for the past 24 hours ive cried over EVERYTHING, i also feel like i want to be by myself at home at lot... im really hoping these are signs that things are getting a move on and that im not gonna be like this for the next 3-5 weeks

DS1 a big pop followed by a huge gush of water as I sat down on sofa.
From water breaking to him being born was 10 hours exactly & easiest birth ever.

DS2 was period like cramps that gradually built up to contractions, midwife had to burst waters in hospital. Labour was 26 hours in total & total nightmare compared to DS1 birth. . NOT what I was expecting!!

I didn't realise my first sign until I thought about it afterwards. I'd been walking round the local village in the afternoon and had pains like stitches coming and going in my belly and I kept having to stop and rest. I thought I'd just overdone it after a midwife appoinment. The next sign was waking up in the night and going for a "wee" that wouldn't stop. Waters!

DS1-extreme 'nesting' behaviour. Cleaning closets, hanging curtains, that kind of thing. Then my water broke. He was born at 33 wks tho, and you've already passed that point.

DS2-minor cramping (Braxton Hicks Contractions). Feeling like his head was already 1/2 way down my vagina (not comfortable!). And I was a raging 'B' then a crying mess the next minute. He was born at 37 1/2 wks.

But every woman is different. If you are concerned, call your doctor or midwife. That's what they're there for. And good luck to you!

For my first I didn't feel any contractions, just an extreme back ache and I could get comfortable in any position.

For my second I woke up with the most severe period pain of my life. It soon became regular.
For my third I had a few hours of good contractions which didn't hurt too much but I did need to breathe through them. It went on for two hours every five to ten minutes so I went to hospital. Of course they stopped completely but a mw said she'd check and sure enough I was at 8cm, they then broke my waters and an hour later bubba arrived.
For my fourth it was rather surreal. I was getting great Braxton hicks a couple of times a day for about a week and I told my husband that it they must be working as they were so real but never more than 1 at a time. Anyway, about a week before my due date I suddenly felt like I had a bowling ball sitting on my cervix? I went to hospital but they didn't want to admit me as I wasn't contracting regularly ( I had about 5 contractions that day and it was already 1 pm in afternoon). Anyway, I was crying because they told me to go home so my dh asked them to check me- well, I was 9cm this time and 20 minutes after trying to kick me out I had my bubs. Easiest delivery ever but I will add-that once my waters broke I did have very powerful contractions that were regular i.e one to 2 minutes apart for all my labours. Good luck with your baby..x

It was supposed to read that I couldn't get comfortable in any position for first baby...

Lower back pain both times.

Ds I leapt out of bed with awareness of a splash of liquid between my legs (waters) and in acute crampy pain. Contractions were intense from get go. I was 41w & had had a sweep, acupuncture & sex that day aiming to get him out!

Apologies in advance if this is TMI! I had been getting bad cramps and what I thought was a show for a few hours but they disappeared overnight. The following day I had my actual show. It was revolting! Loads of this snotty, gooey, stretchy stuff falling out of me! I couldn't get off the loo as it was dangling from me (I did warn you!). Literally about an hour after the cramps ramped up and I was off!

Woke up with full on contractions with no 1 (waters didn't break till about 5 hrs later) and waters breaking with no 2 (contractions started half an hr later).