Feeling baby will come early?

[KateTTC123]

My ds came at 29 and 5 for unknown reasons. I had a strong feeling he would be early; had lots of braxton hicks and just felt like it was imminent. I'm now 25 weeks with dc2 and just 'know' again. Even more braxton hicks this time, feeling really heavy and just feel in my gut that it will happen soon. Likely around 29 weeks again I think. They are keeping a close eye on me and I've been in to get checked out once last week and again today; last week my tightenings were happening ever 2-5 mins and this week I had period pains too. They did a ffn test though and it showed that I'm unlikely to go into labour in the next 14 days. Plus my cervix is still closed.
Anyone else just 'know' they would be early and were right??

I have a feeling mine will be here soon but it’s my first and it could just be wishful thinking 😂

Well have you had a discussion about antenatal steroids? 25 weeks is v early (I had a 26 weeker) and the course could be quite rough in NICU. I would have a chat with your midwife/consultant.

I had a feeling my baby was going to be early, not really early but definetly before my due date. Everyone told me I was being stupid and no first babies arrive early, they always go over, I will have to be induced, my bump hadnt even dropped. But just over a week before my due date he arrived! I know its not really realiy early but I just knew he wouldnt wait until the date we were told! I think you should trust your body, you know it best, glad they are keeping an eye on you.x

Yes. I knew I wouldn't go full term, I don't know how but I did. I was right my waters broke at 26 weeks.

@snoopy18 that's what I'm worried about but so far they seem to want to take a "wait and see" tactic. My cervix is still long and closed so they say that means it won't happen soon so all I'm going on is my gut and these mad cramps.
Problem is that ds was quite a quick labour and only had time for one round of sterroids. Luckily he was ok but that was at 29 weeks. This one, as it's my second, is likely to be even quicker and if it's much earlier then it could be a real problem.
I've specifically told my doctors that this is my worry though and they don't seem willing to do anything about it. Are sterroids risky if baby doesn't come early in the end?

Yes, knew my 4th was going to be early. Loss of plug which then turned into bloody plug. Period pains regular contractions. Ffn test showed negative...I got sent home with doctors saying 99% certainty I wasn’t having a baby in next 2 weeks. He arrived 36 hours later at 34 weeks. They also looked in at my cervix and said it looked closed until she examined properly and said oh your 5cm.

After this I got pregnant with my DD. All way through I said she’d be early, everyone said no DS was probably just a one off. From 23 weeks I was in and out of hospital again losing plug with streaks of blood, regular stop start contractions. When I was 30 weeks I went in and refused the FFN test also refused speculum to just look as they clearly misjudged my cervix with my son. I said I would only be examined properly so when the doctor examined me he could feel I was dilated and could feel the sac and her head applied to it. Got sent to labour ward put on an 18hour atosiban drip to stop contractions which it did but she was born 4 days later so not for long.

I’m now nearly 17 weeks and getting the same feelings. I have no checks or anything though and don’t see a consultant until 28 weeks

Yes I had a gut feeling but just thought I must be being daft, first baby, he was born at 36 weeks, granted not mega early but early enough to give us a fright!

@beckanne90 thats crazy! It's awful that they examined you and tested and got it so wrong! Well done for fighting your corner!
I've been told I have a 98% chance of baby not coming in the next 14 days but your story makes me think I do need to go with my gut.
I've not had any bleeds, plug or show. Last time I also had a watery discharge, which I don't have now, which reassures me. It's just these crazy contractions (my midwife felt them happening just by placing her hand on my belly), feeling heavy and low and just my gut telling me it will happen soon. It all feels so similar to last time in the weeks before he arrived.
Whats your plan this time? When do you see a consultant?

Sorry, just saw that you see a consultant at 28 weeks; can you fight for it to be brought forward?

I saw him at 13+5 after the dating scan. It was a total different consultant from my previous one and I don’t think he’s read my notes correctly. I’m thinking because I had an abruption in labour with DD he has presumed that is the reason why she came early by EMCS but I’d already been in labour before that. It didn’t happen until I was 6cm and I was rushed to theatre at 8cm. I am going to speak to my midwife when I see her because I’m not happy with that plan at all.

I can remember the heavy low feeling well. It’s like a bowling ball pressing low down. Go with your gut; I’m glad I did. If it turns out everything is ok then it doesn’t matter, as long as you and baby are fine and your confident in what’s happening.

In the last half hour my bhs have come every 3-4 mins. Not sore and not getting stronger, yet. Unless I a show of some kind I don't think I'll go in again though. I don't think they mean I'm actually in labour yet as each time they check my cervix is still closed, but it does feel like my body is getting ready for labour soon.
Just feel like they aren't listening to me. Waiting until labour has actually begun seems too late as there might not be time for sterroids this time. Or not 2 sets anyway.

I’m at 32 going onto 33 weeks 🙏🏾 Not sure on steroids situation but if might be worth ringing triage again the way you’re feeling right now to see what they suggest?

As the opposite scenario I was sure my third would come early. I’d never had BH with the other two but I was having them every 2-4 mins and strong enough to be visible through clothes, every day for weeks with my third. Midwife was certain she’d be early too. She was 2 weeks late

Hope yours are just BH and the baby stays put

So I ended up going in again today. I got a lovely doctor who actually listened to my concerns about not having time for 2 rounds of sterroids and she has set up a thorough plan to make sure that they are monitoring me closely and giving first set of sterroids at the earliest possible time. She also told me to sign off work. Feel much better having spoken to her and less like I'm just awaiting the inevitable without any kind of plan in place.

Good to hear story about Braxton hicks being just that though; I really hope that's the case for me too!

That’s great news!