Is it me or is symptom spotting for labour worse than ttc??

[ColdFeetWarmHeart]

I'm 39+4 now with DC2. I've had twinges / braxton hicks etc on and off since 35 + 3. Also DD1 was born at 39+3.

It seems like every little thing that happens to me now I'm like "does this mean labour is soon?" - I'm starting to drive myself insane!!

Oh my gosh yes!!! I'm only 37+1 with my first and to be honest I wasn't bad at all with 'symptom spotting' before I got my positive test result- it was only our first month of trying so I just assumed it'd be a negative! 😂 But as soon as I hit 37 weeks yesterday different story, I'm just so impatient to meet them (and not be pregnant anymore if I'm honest as it's been quite tough!) that I'm desperately looking for any sign at all that I might not go to 42 weeks as my mum did with me and my sisters! 🙈

(I had my first braxton hicks at 24 weeks and they happen much more frequently and stronger now but I don't think that's a sign for me... I'd love it if it was!!)

It's awful! I'm sick of wondering about every twinge and pain. I'm 38 weeks and spent the majority of the last night on the couch with terrible stomach cramps. I was convinced that it was all starting and was panicking about getting all DS's uniform ready at 3am so grandparents could get him to school, and clothes ready for today so they could take him to a birthday party. A few hours later it just stopped. So I've had about 2 hours sleep and nothing to show for it!

I'm desperate for pregnancy to end too. It's been a LONG 9 months with one and another.

I know what you mean 10storey - I seem to constantly be making plans for DD. Endless messages to my mum and sister so they know what needs to be done each day should I go into labour etc.

Another understandably impatient one here, I'm 39+1 and am sooo done with being pregnant, every tiny little movement or ache I'm hoping is the start of labour but nope I'm guessing DS is going to stay in there as long as he can as have no pressure or anything down below, he's still tucked up by my ribs

It's exhausting, isn't it?! We have one set of parents lined up for drop offs and one for pick ups. My hallway and stairs are full of bags - one for casual clothes and nightwear, one of school stuff, my hospital bag, a hospital bag for baby...

Part of me keeps thinking it won't be long now - baby does seem to have dropped - I can get my hands between my breasts and baby's bum at the moment. But then another part of me thinks this is just wishful thinking!!

It's only my parents and sister on standby. Despite being retired my MIL has not offered to help in any way....
I have my bags packed, car seat already in car. My sister has a bag packed as she will be coming to stay to babysit and dogsit while I'm in hospital. Unfortunately she doesn't drive so my dad is on standby for school pick ups. My mum is on standby to take me to hospital as my 2nd birthday partner, and also because she can get home from work a lot quicker than DH.
Just so much organising. Would be so much easier if I knew exactly when baby will get here!!

I live in hope @sprite25 as I've read and been told that some babies don't engage at all until labour starts... so if we're lucky it's not a sign that we've still got ages to go! I'm just desperate not to be induced as that rules out a water birth for me, so I've told baby anytime between now and 40 weeks would be just fab! (39 even better!) 🙈

No baby doesn't need to engage until labour or right before, especially if it's not your first.
My midwife told me as this is my second baby may bob up and down until labour!

I'm also desperate not to be induced. I really don't want to be in hospital and away from DD for too long!! My midwife will do a sweep at 41 weeks if nothing has happened before then, and I don't really even want that, so this baby has got 10 days to make an appearance!!

37+1 with 3rd, I'm desperate to get this over with. Every niggle, pain, change of pants pee, not amniotic fluid, I think is this it?. No, it isn't.

I had to be induced with second at 42 weeks, sweeps failed as cervix wasn't favourable. Although I was induced that afternoon and she arrived same day.

I am fully expecting another overdue, large baby 😰

Same here!!! Keep getting what must just be painful braxton hicks as we keep thinkin this is it and then it all stops!!! I go out for walks and i get BH 1 on top of the other and then the odd 1 that hurts. I get period pains every day, cant stop weeing or the other!!! Im 37+4 got a sweep friday really hope that does the trick!!

I avoided this last time by going straight for obvious contractions a few hours after finishing work for maternity leave! I hadn't had time to consider it before then (although colleagues and parents of the children I taught had been eyeing me closely for a few weeks!).

Can i ask why you're having a sweep at 38 weeks lubyloo?

I am having what I class as period pains on and off all day - lower abdominal cramps and lower back pain. But that it how my labour started last time; "period pains" every 10 minutes for about 5 or 6 hours, then those same pains started getting stronger and closer together. So every time I get a pain I am thinking "ooh is this it?"

And my left breast is killing me!!

I've had far too much time to think about symptoms jenny - I've been off sick with severe SPD since I was 20 weeks!!

I was wondering the same thing loobyloo. They won't do sweeps here until 40 weeks.

I don't see my midwife at 40 weeks so no chance until 41 weeks.
Though one midwife (not my regular) did say they would consider sweep / induction at 38 weeks if I couldn't cope with SPD any longer

Hi please can I join? 37+4 here and every evening I think I'm going into labour! Should know better since this is dc3 but first was 13 years ago and I can't remember and second one was an elective section. Really hoping for a vbac this time but got elective booked for 40+5 in case. Trying to will myself into labour before then! Been having Braxton hicks every day for weeks now and period type pain for the last week also (apologies for tmi) rather loose bowels for the last 2 days. Going mad symptom spotting lol! Got a sweep booked for Friday, hopefully they'll be able to do it 🤞

I have my sweep booked for 39+5. Seems so long away 😒.

38+ 4 here and also waiting impatiently. Every twitch I think is something starting. I'm so fed up and uncomfortable.

I'm more than fed up. I just keep crying / wanting to cry now. Had enough.

Kept myself busy today by doing lots of housework. But overdid it and now I ache like a bitch and want to cry even more. DH is already suggesting I go to bed.

Would love to have a lovely hot bath but I can no longer get out of the sodding thing

Oh god. I've been wanting to have a cry all day.

I also want a bath. But am home alone and don't think I'll be able to get out without help.

Once DD is in bed I think I'm going to put a weepy film on. Have an excuse to cry.

DH is home but I still daren't get in the bath. Last time he tried to help me off the floor when I got stuck in nearly ended very badly ......

Joining in over here! 37+1 but really nothing at all in the way of symptoms, other than a few painless but uncomfortable braxton hicks episodes around the same time each evening. I'm barely sleeping at all though with aches and pains in my hips, and horrific heartburn, so I am really ready for this baby to come now!

I guess I could crack on with some raspberry leaf tea just to feel like I'm doing something.

I have had my daily cry today, lying in bed out the road of everyone as it's the best for us all 😥

Just lost a big chunk of mucus plug. Not actually getting my hopes up on that one as I've been losing bits for a few weeks. When I told my midwife 2 weeks ago she told me if you lose it before labour your body makes more

We weren't told that at our antenatal class today @ColdFeetWarmHeart, just that it can come away gradually over time or in one go... but in any event this sounds like it might be exciting progress!! Xx