How were you feeling the week leading up to your labour???

[Dontbsicily]

Hello Mumsnetters!

I am 38 weeks pregnant with DC1 and I finish work tomorrow but, just wondering what kind of signs you had, if any, leading up to the birth of your LOs?

I feel fine in myself mostly but, last night baby was moving a lot and I had back and groin pain so, I was thinking it could have been the start of something but then, again today I feel fine!

I'm due 3rd October and to be honest, I am quite happy for baby to stay in there until then as, I am comfortable (mostly) and want to make the most of my week and a bit before he/she turns up and changes my life forever!

I've tried asking Google but, it only tells me about actual labour signs e.g. mucus plug. I'm more interested in any pre labour signs, if that makes sense?!

Thank you in advance

Oh also, I would love to hear your actual labour stories, too! I'm not easily spooked and I have been binge watching birth stories on Youtube, One Born and Emma Willis Delivering Babies. My DP thinks I'm mad but, I'm just excited and want to know everything that can happen (the good and the bad) to prepare myself!

Hey! I haven’t experienced labour yet but I’m due this Sunday with my first baby so going to follow this thread as I’m interested too!

I’m also really comfortable (don’t want to come across braggy!!) - I don’t feel fed up as such but I am eager to meet my boy. My biggest pains are peeing every hour during the night, achey hips and pelvis from sleeping on my side and waddling!! I’ve had a few shooting pains if you know what I mean, also looser stools (sorry for tmi) and recently caught a bloody cold!! 😂

I do think I may be overdue which makes me a little apprehensive as I’ve only recently learnt that if you have to be induced it can sometimes be a bit more of a painful process? But I have been doing hypnobirthing techniques so whatever labour throws my way I’m hoping to at least try and breath and go with the flow !! Good luck 😘❤️ Xx

Thanks for replying Babycakes1989!

I'm definitely peeing about 300 times per day/night and can relate to the looser stools too!

I know, I am also praying that I don't need to be induced! Currently blissfully hoping that I will go into natural labour on my due date and not require any sort of intervention etc but, we will just have to see!

I was wondering if I will go overdue though as, no signs of labour at the moment and no Braxton Hicks etc. or if this is quite normal and you continue to feel normal until labour quite literally just happens one day! I always imagined it would be more of a countdown so, I guess that is why I am so curious!

Good luck to you, too!!

I went on to 40 + 10 and if you had told me at 38 weeks that she wouldn't be here within nearly a month then I would have cried to be honest.

I just felt so heavy and big from about 35 weeks and had awful heartburn but on the otherhand, I didn't feel overly tired or awful. I didn't have any Braxton Hicks or other pains which would have given me hope that something was happening. I felt normal until I was given a rather vigorous sweep by the consultant which kick started labour (won't go into that hideous time).

Moonlight1705, you poor thing. That sounds crap!

I have a midwife appointment a few days after my due date and she asked if I wanted to be booked in for a S&S on that day, just in case, so I said yes.

Did you have any other sweeps before 40+10 or, was that your first one?

I felt like a whale and couldn’t wait to start labour. I knew she would be early or on time as I had a lot of niggles. Then I went on a really long walk a few days before my due date, the next morning contractions started.

Mine wasn’t a typical labour. She was back to back so I felt really intense contractions every 5 minutes but waters didn’t break (couldn’t sit down or anything as it hurt too much). After 15 hours using the tens machine to get through the night I was so exhausted that we went to the hospital- 1cm dilated! They decided to break my waters. Long story short but after another 15 hours or so and some pethidine, gas and air and an epidural DD was born.

My advice is just go with the flow. My birth was slightly more medical but I loved it and would do it again. The newborn baby however...

I did have 2 other sweeps beforehand but knowing that there was little chance of them working. I was booked in for induction the day after I started labour which I was happy about.

Unfortunately DD took a grand total of 64 hours to come out and that was by emergency c-section in the end so wish I had gone straight for a c-section when offered at 40 weeks

However you'll be fine, your body knows what it is doing and even now 7 months down the line, most of that is forgotten and we have an amazing DD.

I felt really on edge and couldn't keep still and just wanted to be doing something the couple of days leading up to labour, I also couldn't stop cleaning and smelling my LOs clothes lol (they where brand new but I just HAD to sniff them) 😂 so bizarre looking back!
I did feel really heavy and uncomfortable though
I had a sweep at 40+4 which kick started my labour too... very long painful labour! But my LO is more than worth every contraction he's just the most beautiful little treasure!
And I'm preparing to do it all again in December exactly a year on so it can't be that bad 😊
Congratulations on your little one and wishing you all the best 😘

Thank you @PerfectPeony2, @moonlight1705 and @December2019 for your replies

It is crazy how everyone I've spoken to has such a different pregnancy and labour story to one another!

64 hours moonlight, you absolute wonder woman!!

I had no signs at all. Nothing that I said this is it. I was a little late to the party when it came to figuring out I was in labour.

In hindsight my first inkling should've been the very loose stools almost like my body was clearing out. But I didn't really put it down to the start of everything at the time.
I then started to get period like cramps every few hours or so across about 3 days. Again, didn't think much of it, just assumed it was standard pregnancy discomfort.
Then I started to get more painful cramps. They were irratic and irregular. Anything from 5 mins apart to 25mins. They were painful enough to keep me awake all night, but as I hadn't had any braxton hicks I thought that's what they were (braxton hicks shouldn't hurt and are more uncomfortable as your uterus hardens and relaxes in practice)
They lasted about 10 hours.
Then at 9am the next morning my waters went after an almighty painful "pop" sensation. Then I finally figured out that I was in labour. Contractions came thick and fast every 3 mins and were excruciating but even being a total wimp I held it together. The ride in the clio wasn't so fun though as i felt very crammed in.
Was at the midwife unit at 10am to find I was 6cm.
Started on gas and air and got in the pool. Dd was born at 10:49am on Xmas Eve (at 37+4)
I only had 1hr 49 of actually knowing I was in labour.
3rd degree tear due to the speed of it all so was transferred to hospital for surgery. Recovery was fine but uncomfortable. No lasting issues with my tear.

Am currently 38+2 waiting for something to happen! This time I am very uncomfortable though. Pelvic pain, a very wriggling baby, a million braxton hicks every day. I already want it out, but have a feeling ill go over and get induced as last time was quite sudden and unexpected.

I'm due 2nd October, I feel fine just a bit crampy in the evening. I had no signs with my first just woke up at 2am with sharp pains.
36hours later he arrived!

I had DC2 on Sunday. The week before I definitely started needing the loo a lot more, a sign that she had dropped. Not that I looked or felt like she had. I'd also had some mild contractions about a week before, so the days around when she was due.

As for the labour... I had a sweep and was told I was already 3-4cm dilated. Contractions started 30 mins later and she was born 4 hours 11 mins from that. Gas and air is fantastic by the way. Didn't have time for my water birth. Ended up on the edge of the seat bed they had in the room as by the time I got to the hospital it was almost time to push. Literally, 11 mins after arriving. Total time 4 hours 11 mins but officially less than 2 according to my notes.

I'm from a line of women whose births happen fast though. Firat labour was irregular contractions, turned up 9cm dilated. Within the hour DS arrived. Total labour was 10.5 hours.

@Frizzy1986, That sounds like the kind of labour I am hoping for, thank you for sharing your story! My intention is to wait as long as physically possible before going to the hospital but we are just over 20 miles from the hospital and it can take anywhere between 20 mins (at night) and 1 hour (rush hour traffic) so, I think it will all depend on the circumstances at the time!

I do know that I will be p*ssed off if I go to hospital early and get sent home though ha!

@meepmoop Congrats on baby no 2! I'll be happy with sudden sharp pains as long as it is near due date. If he/she plans to turn up sooner I would appreciate if they could give me a heads up first!

@DeadDoorpost, thanks for sharing! That sounds like a fab labour My mum was overdue with DSis and I and also, was in labour a longgg time so, I hope that doesn't run in the family!

Congratulations! Enjoy your baby bubble!!

@dontbsicily Our dates are the same! I'm due the 3rd too. I've decided to work until next Wednesday though. Slightly regretting that now!

I've started to get cramps, like period pain, and discharge (sorry, tmi) seems to have ramped up but other than that, nothing. I'm rather tired too but I guess that's just standard.

Like you, I'm hoping baby stays put for a little while longer but I I reallllly don't want to be induced!

Hopefully we both get what we want!

@chooseausername, aw really! We will have to check back and see if our dates still match up when babies arrive!!

To be honest, I feel I could work right up until the birth but, I don't want to push myself too far and also I'm quite looking forward to using next week for some jobs and a bit of me-time Hence baby can stay up there for now haha.

Well done you for sticking at it though, I'm impressed! Sounds like the cramps are a good sign as, I've had none of those yet but, (now this is tmi so, apologies) I find about 3 times per day after I have gone for a wee, I get about 5 steps from the loo and get a sudden patch of watery discharge so, I have to rush back again and clean myself up! (...Sorry )

Good luck!! Fingers crossed for us both! x

My first labour was quite difficult. I kept having Braxton Hicks in the evenings but just as I thought it's time to go to the hospital they stopped. After about three days of this, I started to get quite intense labor spasms (but felt like my baby was stuck) and went to the hospital just to be told to go home! After a few times of this and, feeling exhausted, I told the hospital I was not leaving the hospital this time. They let me stay and then found I had contractions but was not dilating. Went through 36 hours of labor in total until I was given a sweep, induction, forcep and ventous delivery (nearly had a c-section). Needed gas & air and also an epidural. The main thing I kept thinking was the baby needs to come out and was so relieved when he was finally safe in my arms.

The second one was completely different! I didn't even know I was contracting until the nurse told me (came in for a check as was overdue). Had a swift, natural and fairly easy birth (just gas & air which made me a little high apparently).

Used hypnobirthing and I think it helped ease the pain and stop me panicking for the first birth and helped me have a peaceful second birth.

Loved it. I went off work 10 days before due date and bubs was 2 weeks late. I spent a lot of time cleaning floors, crap walking up the stairs, drinking raspberry tea trying to bring on labour... in the end I gave up, sat in the garden with my feet up. And that was the last time I ever sat down again ha ha ;-)

With my first, for the week before I felt ok. Quite tired but I think that was because I had quite a physical job which i continued to do right up until 38 weeks. I went out for a little wander everyday to get some exercise and fresh air. On the following Monday i woke up exhausted, as in, got up, got showered and promptly put my dressing gown on because I just couldn't be arsed to do anything. I went and did a big shop late afternoon because we had no food in but I waited for my husband to get home because, again, I couldn't be arsed! Went into labour tues morning, baby arrived before lunch!

My midwife booked me in for a sweep on due date.... Had that and within 12hours my water broke and I was in for a 24hr labour. Tbh, still the best day of my life. Yes, it's painful, but not half as bad as i had anticipated. And I only had gas and air. The week before I felt fine (normal pains but nothing else) I was watching TV when my waters broke and literally just thought I'd done a little wee.... Then it just kept coming.... Good luck!!

My first I had no niggles at all. Went for a stretch and sweep at my 40w appt and she couldn't even do it because my cervix was so high and firmly closed. My waters broke 3 days later much to my shock! I got up at 5am to go to the loo and felt a pop and gush! Ended up being induced on the drip as contractions didn't start and DS passed meconium. It was pretty awful to be honest so I won't go into detail but he was born at 40+4.
Currently 36w pregnant and have been having niggles since about 30w - loads of BH, lots of mucous-y discharge, lower back pain, period pain on and off...midwife says it's all typical 3rd trimester stuff as my body has done it once now so is gearing up but it does stress me out as booked for an ELCS at 39 weeks so don't want anything kicking off before then! Fingers crossed this one stays put for another 3 and a half weeks!

Had my first daughter 10 weeks ago, she came 4 days early. Didn't feel all different days before, plug comes off and I thought I'll have baby within few days or so. Contractions started in next couple of hours completely unexpected, strong and very painful every few mins. Went to hospital to hear not going anywhere, already diluted on 2cm, within next hour 4cm. But took nearly 12 hours till my little girl was here, had blood infection during labour, high temperature, my blood pressure was going up and down and baby was back to back. Had lots of epidural and still horrible back pain. Nearly ended up having C-section, luckily didn't, they had to use forceps to turn baby round. I stayed in hospital 5 days as they suspected baby have infection as well, both been on antibiotics but last test shows she was absolutely fine. It was long and very exhausting labour but my little girl is worth every minute of it. Already forgot about all pain and enjoying being very happy mum.

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am loving reading your stories although, I still don't have a clue when baby is showing up. Seemingly they just come when they want with no advance warning usually!

@LoveFlowers, so pleased your second birth was so much easier for you! The first one sounded very hard... well done you!

@Newmummysu, Ah thank you... In that case, note to self - don't bother with the labour inducing exercises and enjoy a bit of peace!

@newnameallround, Wow, good for you working a physical job until 38w you absolute warrior! Mine is a desk job so, I've just been sat on Mumsnet with my feet up for the past couple of weeks haha.

@MonkeyLife ... Thank you for sharing! Hopefully if I'm not in labour by my midwife app, the sweep will do the trick!

@KatnissK, Sorry to hear your first labour wasn't a pleasant experience Congrats on no2 though! I find myself being jealous of people who aren't first time mums because, everything happens so much faster for you haha.

@Anastasiafrankie, oh wow you poor thing. That sounds like such an experience to go through. Congratulations though! Glad to hear you are enjoying your baby bubble. They do always say, you forget it all when they pass you your baby.

Well done you!!

I had so much energy for 5 days .
Literally could not sleep.
On the 5th night I went into labour which lasted 48 hours 😩