Am I in early labor? Help!

[Leigh92]

Hi, never posted on anything like this before but I’m really needing some personal experience stories or some advice. I’m 37+4 with our second child. Our existing child is 6 1/2 so feel new to pregnancy again. The last 3-4 days I’ve been getting what I think are Braxton Hicks, some days they are regularly and other days they come and go with ages between, however the last day or two I’ve been experiencing bad abdominal pains coming round from my back and sharp pains going down to my vagina. I must also add I was diagnosed with Polyhydramnios at 36 weeks where I was told there’s a higher chance of early labour. I was induced with my first due to a ruptured membrane so I don’t know what to look for going into natural labour.

Any experience/advice is appreciated, thanks ladies

Also have severe Polyhydramnios at 35 weeks and am having exactly the same symptoms. I've been told that the excess fluid severely stretches your uterus making it irritable.
Also been told that any changes or concerns to go straight in, no questions asked. If you've got a feeling something might be happening give them a call.
I feel you though, it's so uncomfortable and a constant worry

I seen my midwife at 36 weeks and was measuring at 41. I had to go for a scan 2 days later where they measured my AFI which is 29.5. I'm just so uncomfortable and feel as though I can't carry this around, baby hasn't and will likely not engage so just need to wait it out I suppose. I've just read horror stories of having too much fluid and waters breaking and the cord prolapsing and giving myself nightmares.
Sorry you're suffering, have you been told what they're going to do with you or are you just to wait it out?

Not sure yet, it was looking like they might induce me at 37 weeks but now they've just booked me in for a scan that day as my fluid levels have come down slightly.
Fortunately I'm at home as baby is head down which apparently reduces the risk of cord prolapse. Puts the fear of God in to you doesn't it.
Did you find a reason for it? I've had a positive for CMV although it's a secondary infection and our consultant thinks it's unlikely to have caused the Polyhydramnios.
If you feel like things are moving just call them and go in, that's what they are for

It's definitely a worry! My due date is Christmas Eve and I'm booked in for another scan on the 13th so I'll maybe get a more definitive outcome then. I also have SPD where my pelvis has practically split so it's hard to try and differentiate the pain. I hope everything goes okay for you and your not suffering too much😊

Also no reason, they're not testing me for gestational diabeties cause I'm so close to my due date. They just suggested that some people just have too much fluid and that I'm one of them

Thank you, you too. Nice to talk to someone else who is the size of a planet and understands how it feels

Yes, I'm guessing that's our story too. I was diagnosed at 28 weeks (measuring 37) so they've run every test on us and can find nothing definitive.

Sorry I can’t help on what labour feels like, but another polyhydramnios sufferer over here! 35 weeks but measuring 40. Really uncomfortable now. I’m also worried about my waters breaking naturally. Next consultant appointment is 2 weeks today when I’ll be 37+4 so I’m hoping they will induce me x

Hey Lynsey19 sorry to hear you're uncomfortable. You're about the same as me, my next appointment is two weeks today, did they indicate they might induce you then?
I'm really starting to hope that they might for me. My baby is measuring big too.

At my last midwife appointment, she advised me to take my hospital bag & request to be induced. She said there would be no medical reason for them not to induce me, and they might even do it that day if the labour ward was not busy, so I’m hoping for that. Might be having a Christmas baby yet!

Good news! I'm seeing my midwife on Wednesday so will ask

Sorry to hear you're going through the same thing. It's a nightmare. I'm now consultant led and have a scan on the 13th (due date is Christmas Eve) by which time I'll be 38+4 so hoping if I've not went on my own by then that they'll induce me. I'm terrified of my waters going on their own!