Pre labour symptoms with preterm labour

[flippityflip]

I know there are loads of threads about pre labour symptoms but I was just wondering if anyone who ever went into labour early could tell me their symptoms?
I know now from scans and lots of monitoring that this is a risk for me,but to be honest have had a funny feeling for a while that baby was not going to stay in until due date. This is baby number 3.
Head has been fully engaged and resting on cervix since about 28/29 weeks,it still turns side to side and plenty of kicking and poking but firmly in head down position since then.
Because of the position and how low down it is-from an internal scan they could see there is nothing between baby's head and cervix- I get the 'falling out' feeling quite a lot! Also had lots of cramping,but no real pattern to it,and definitely not as strong as labour pains,just like very bad period cramps.
Have increased backache,kind of bruised feeling inside bump,and massively increased CM.

Other sort of random symptoms are that my boobs suddenly swoll up overnight, I have been unbelievably tetchy and felt very kind of PMSy and tired. Also a lot more bowel movements,not diarrhoea or anything but just more of them in the day and a bit looser (sorry TMI!!).

Are these just what third trimester with later babies feels like or could they be signs? I am only 32 weeks so am in no hurry for baby to come!!!

My DS who's now 6 decided to come into the world at 34 weeks, I went into labour at 33 but had none of the usual symptoms to start, went from being a little sore uncomfy to having full on contractions!

I'd ring your me if your worried, might give you peace of mind and if it is pre labour they can try stop you so bubs is in cooking a little longer

Hi, suggest you ask for a fetal fibronectin test? They take a swab from your cervix and test for this substance (it's an enzyme or hormone I think) - if it is present then that tends to mean labour within the next 2 weeks. I think this is a fairly new test though so not all hospitals may do it.

Also are you having cervical scans to check length and for any funnelling?

I don't know if your other symptoms are related to early birth - I'm 34 weeks with dc2 and DD1 was born at 34 weeks (with no symptoms/warning, waters just went one day) so no experience of later pregnancy tbh!

Definitely worth a call to midwife ... I've only ever felt like you from 37 weeks on ... and im on #6!

My first DD was born at 29 weeks. She had been incredibly quiet the day before and I had gone to day unit to be checked over and was assured she was fine.

Started off with mild cramping in the early morning which gradually got worse but not noticeably so. As she was my first and I had no experience AT NO POINT did I think I was in labour. Sounds like madness now looking back on it but it just never occurred to me until about 11pm that night when I was in a lot of pain.

Rang labour ward and was told to take some paracetamol Decided to ignore and took myself off to hospital which was a bloody good thing as I was 9cm on arrival and she was born within the hour.

I'm currently expecting DD2 and thankfully am much further on this time. Not long left!

I would definitely contact your midwife if you are at all concerned. The midwives were very snippy and rude with me for just turning up at the hospital (until they realised I was actually in labour ) but I knew in my heart something wasn't right. Had I not been checked out she would have been born at home and probably wouldn't be here now.