How did you know you were in labour? Or starting labour?

[LouB1990xX]

First baby is due I’m curious to know if your waters broke, mucus plug or contractions started x

Waters broke. Went in to get checked half an hour later and it turned out I was 9cm dilated

I had the poops day before
Then bits of browny greeny plug started coming away every time I wiped after a wee
So I was expecting it then and the next night the back ache started and was very quick from there 4.5 hours after the back ache my ds1 was born

My contractions started in the morning and got gradually worse throughout the day, we went to the hospital but I wasn't ready so got sent home then I started spotting and rang the hospital they told me to come back then 8 hours later I had a baby!

Waters broke. Contractions didn't start naturally so had to then be induced and baby arrived the following day.

Period-like cramping first. Got stronger and closer together over the course of the day, then waters broke, lost my plug 10 mins later, proper intense contractions started from waters breaking.

Mucus plug in the morning, waters broke in the afternoon. Contractions started very soon after and ds was born around 11pm.

Dc 2 waters broke then contractions started and didn’t stop but I’d had a load of contractions prior that would come and go over a couple of weeks so I was clueless until the waters went.

Dc 3 contractions that didn’t stop

Waters broke, contractions started. Hit 3 in 10 minutes after 6 hours, was in labour for 19 hours total.

With DC1 I had a couple of contractions, then the plug went. Baby arrived 21 hours after the first contraction. With all three of my births my waters didn't go until just before delivery.

Both times my waters broke. The first was just a trickle followed by light contractions. The second was a full on gush. Must have been litres.

Oh and if been loosing my plug for about 5 days in the run up to my waters breaking

Period like cramping before going to bed - both times. Mucus plugs can come a week or so before... also waters can break as baby's coming out. Good luck!

Hi just commenting to keep updated with everyone's replies as I'm also due and looking for signs!
Been having tightenings for a couple of weeks now but last few days have got a lot more frequent and more painful! Also getting shooting pains down below and think I'm starting to loose my mucus plug!

Very exciting x

Unmistakable pain. Everybody said you'll just know when you've definitely started and that was true for me.

First time, it was contractions. First one woke me up at 4am. Unmistakable.

2nd and 3rd time, I lost my mucus plug first, both times exactly 16hrs before contractions started.

I was sat watching Corrie on the sofa (leather luckily!) and pop, myself and DH were rather abit wet but then not a twinge for 21 hours

Waters broke 7pm, got checked out and they were going to start induction if nothing within 24hrs of that. Light contractions started midnight, got heavier around midday, went in at 3cm around 4pm (I was throwing up an insane amount so they admitted me and put me on a drip) and she was born at 3:48am.

Good luck

Initially started with diarrhoea followed by plug (gradually). Contractions then started & continued in my back but were sporadic as she was slightly back to back but didn't know that at the time.
My waters only went at the point of abdominal examination to check her position when I arrived at the hospital when it all became too much at home.

My waters broke at 5pm, not a gush like you would see on tv but a constant trickling, no contractions until a few hours later, he was born the following night at 11pm

I lost my plug a few days before my contractions started. A week after my contractions started I felt like a bowling ball was going to fall out my arse and I was tired and grumpy so I phoned the hospital. When I mentioned the bowling ball feeling she asked me to come in as that was a good sign. Which it was a good sign as I was finally in active labour. They had to break my waters for me though several hours later as I was progressing rather slow still

Hope it’s OK OP but I just wanted to jump on this thread and ask what’s people thought. I’m 38+3, and have been having nearly constant Braxton Hicks for the last 5 days, lots of pressure in my pelvis and lower back, lots of on and off gassy tummy type feelings which are quite painful, waking up every morning with period-like pains (stronger each day), lots of discharge but no mucus plug yet, and then last night about 4am the most painful period pain yet with a real griping feel - but then nothing has continued from there! Also a few bouts of diarrhoea or just that urgent “need to go”. Is my body gearing up or am I reading into lots of unrelated symptoms? 🙈

A few days of strong pains including a sleepless night but there was no pattern to them so presumed it wasn't labour.
Had a bath the next morning to ease them and had an almighty pain. Got out, went for a wee, it kept coming and coming and coming. Once those waters had gone I was contracting very fast and dd was born less than 2 hours later.
They've suggested a possible home birth this time due to the speed but I'm not keen.

@Browniee it's possible. Braxton hicks are not an indicator of labour but the diarrhoea could be the very beginning of things. Could still be a while though, so get ready but do what you can to keep comfortable. Don't forget to drink lots and stay hydrated in this heat.

Waters went both times, followed by contractions which escalated quickly

Mine always start with contractions. When I pass the plug then I know I’m around 6cm and shit’s about to get real. My waters don’t ever go naturally - one born in sac, one ruptured as she came out and one ruptured because the midwife caught it by accident. Good luck!