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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Is labour ever sudden or are there always signs?

25 replies

HopingCat · 02/11/2006 19:23

The midwifes at Parentcraft classes talk about the signs of labour eg having a show. Are there people out there who felt fine one minute and were in labour the next? I'm 40 weeks pg this weekend but still feel like I've felt for weeks (ie. very big and need loo all the time!) Does this mean I'll be waiting a while?
What were your indications that labour was about to start?

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liath · 02/11/2006 19:25

I wasn't in labour one minute and was the next - the contractions came out of nowhere and were strong from the start. I did have diarrhoea that morning though, which in retrospect was a bit of a clue.

binkacat · 02/11/2006 19:27

My waters went with a huge pop and gush. Before that no signs at all. 2 minutes after my waters went I had a huge contraction, then another 5 minutes later. Never had a show.

Original poster

HopingCat · 02/11/2006 19:40

Oh, that's interesting Liath! I've had diarrhoea today. Had just assumed it was due to last night's curry though!

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 02/11/2006 19:42

with ds2 i went straight into 2minute contractions if this is what you mean?
started at 8pm, he was born at 00.45am.

chipo · 02/11/2006 20:12

I was like you ladyoftheflower. Had first contraction at 7.50pm then waters broke and dd was born at 9.50pm. Was only in hospital an hour before she was born. All this and she was my first child. Dread to think how fast it will be if I have another.

moomimin · 02/11/2006 20:13

I did have a show with ds but Labour still took 24hrs to start after that.

Whatever the signs you have I just wanted to say good luck. At 40 weeks no matter what happens your Labour is iminent, one journey has neally finished and another big one is just begining for you.

ENJOY!!!

Beauregard · 02/11/2006 20:21

With dd1 i was not aware that i was in labour ,it was only because i was bleeding that i went to the hospital .Examined there and was 3/4/5 cm -they weren't sure so i was being prodded by lots of people ,which incidentally was more painful than giving birth.It was only an hour after the consultant came and broke my waters the next day that i felt anything and then WHAM ,4 hours 30 later dd was born.
dd2 -literally had a few period type pains and then started pushing ,hence why she was born on my bathroom floor .

Beauregard · 02/11/2006 20:22

meant to say it was 55 mins

lulumama · 02/11/2006 20:45

labour might come on suddenly...but i don;t think with a first would be so quick you would;t get to where you need to be or get the midwife to you.....

signs of labour

diaorrhea & sickness ( body clearing out before labour)

Show

waters breaking

feeling of pressure in bum

lower back pain

you may get all of them before contractions..or none! each labour is different......regular contractions,,getting stronger & closer together which are different to BH!

if you work on the presumption of dilating one cm per hour...should have at least 10 hours before baby makes an appearance...

obviously, can be much quicker or slower.....

38 - 42 weeks is within then usual range for baby to appear.....

TuttiFrutti · 02/11/2006 21:25

HopingCat, you might get lots of signs like period pains, a show, diarrhoea... Or you might get no warning at all.

One friend of mine thought she had indigestion, but as she was overdue went to hospital to get it checked out and she was 7cm dilated! First baby too. My cousin left a restaurant because she thought the food was disagreeing with her, and gave birth on the back seat of the car 10 minutes later. These things CAN happen, but it's much more likely that you'll get ample warning...

Either way, let us know what happens!

eemie · 02/11/2006 21:27

Try nipple stimulation (use your index and middle fingers like scissors and squeeze around the edge of the areola as though you're trying to cut off the nipple - excuse the image).

If that brings on a contraction, especially a painful one, you're almost ready to roll.

Have you packed your bag? Got some food, music, stuff to keep you going through labour? Don't bother packing a long intense book as I did - you won't open it.

All the best

PanicPants · 02/11/2006 21:29

I had no warning really, just lots of backache (which I'd been having since 32weeks) which just got worse - went to hospital and was 8cm!

Although waters had broken and I was 'leaking' slightly at that point too, but no pains in stomack, no cramps, no show etc

foundintranslation · 02/11/2006 21:30

I started with contractions 'just like that', but they kept starting and stopping for a very long time (2 days, to be precise). I had a show later on the first day of contractions, and had to have my waters broken shortly before delivering ds. I also had diarrhoea and threw up, but only once the contractions had been going for quite a while.

FlossFawkes · 02/11/2006 21:33

My friend had a sweep on monday - nothing. Thought she would be induced. She had her baby tues night.

Piffle · 02/11/2006 21:34

With ds I had show 9 days before labour. Had quite fast labour and delivery but I felt it build up from period pains onwards so was ready.
With dd however
Woke at 5.25am with 3 min contractions. 6.40am had dd.
No idea no nesting, no show, and with both my waters never broke either.

Daisymoo · 02/11/2006 21:54

Heard a story today about a first-time mum who went to labour ward as she was really constipated and wanted them to prescribe some laxatives. Wasn't having contractions, talking away happily. Midwife offered to examine her to see if she was in labour and the head was almost out!

MKG · 02/11/2006 22:00

My friend only recognized hers signs after she had her baby. A few days before baby was born she was becoming more restless and slept less (but what women can sleep well at 9 months). She went to the bathroom more. Finally her water broke when she was using the toilet. She asked her mom and dh to look at what was in the toilet because it didn't look like urine. She lives two blocks from the hospital so she walked over, leaking fluid all the way. She had a C-section 2 hours later.

MKG · 02/11/2006 22:01

There was just a story in the US about a woman who went to the hospital because she had stomach pain. When she got there she found out she was pregnant and was in labor. Imagine that.

Poppy1976 · 02/11/2006 22:13

Am a first time mum who didn't have any signs, just suddenly started with amazingly strong contractions 5 mins apart a few days before due date. They stayed like that however for 5 whole days and nights before DS was born but that is probably not what you want to hear! I'd do it all again in a heartbeat tho.

Original poster

HopingCat · 03/11/2006 12:06

Well, after asking that question yesterday I woke up at 4am this morning with first contraction and they've not stopped since. Had a show at 11.30am so things are definitely happening, I just don't know how long it will be. I'm so glad I've got a tens machine though. Not sure how I'd manage without it.

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FoghornLeghorn · 03/11/2006 12:12

Oh HopingCat, fingers crossed for you from a fellow Due in November'er

I;ve had a dodgy tummy for a few days now so my thoughts that it may be a sign have gone out of the window.
The first I knew of labour with DD was waking up to my waters having broken (only trickling though) - had another few hours to wait before contractions kicked in.

lulumama · 03/11/2006 12:29

happy birthing hoping cat.......

3andnomore · 03/11/2006 14:23

Best of luck Hoping Cat

Original poster

HopingCat · 08/11/2006 11:55

Hi all.
Just letting you know that after 24 hours in labour Isabelle Grace was born at 4.10am on Saturday morning. So I have answered my own question - labour can definitely start without any indications beforehand.

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frazzledazzle · 08/11/2006 16:00

Congraulations!What a lovely name.

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