How do I know when I’m in labour?help!

[Ashl3igh090]

So abit of a long one apologies in advance!
I am 39+2 with my second baby and I was induced with my first he was 2 weeks late. So I am so unsure what going into natural labour is like.

This pregnancy has been so different I’ve had a lot of pelvic pressure for over a week I’d say, I’ve been to the midwife and they’ve said the baby’s head is engaged! I never really had painful periods so I’m not sure if I’m feeling any kind of cramping or if it’s toilet pains or something else just not sure! Haven’t had any kind of internal exam so not sure if I’m dilated at all. Feel like the discharge has changed but not sure if that’s just wishful thinking as no blood or anything.

My moods really changed over the last couple of days been very moody! Not usually like me at all and not been sleeping well but I don’t sleep to well even when I’m not pregnant. I’ve been reading Mumsnet posts for daysss and I just don’t know if it’s early labour or I’m just uncomfortable. Just really anxious to know as I’m quite far from the hospital and don’t plan on having the baby at home!

Any advice or personal stories I would love to read about them! Thanks for reading my essay! Just need some help😂

I was induced first time too and this last time I started at home with contractions. The week before I felt lots of pelvic pain and then some blood in discharge on the day. Contractions started 20 mins apart so I called my labour ward and kept an eye on it.

So if you have any concerns call your labour ward/maternity assessment unit etc

I will definitely do that just don’t want to do it if it’s not happening as I went in last week for the pain and was sat there for hours to be told everything’s fine take paracetamol and go home. I just can’t tell at all! Would be nice if it was like a guarantee your waters break and it goes from there! Maybe when you know you know!

You’ll know when your waters break! I did when I was induced too.

I thought it was braxton hicks too but turned out I was in labour.

Sounds like you might be getting close!

I had DS last week and like you I was induced with my first so didn’t know what to expect. I started off with similar to you, pelvic pain and pressure for a few days before it all started. I also started to lose my mucus plus about 48 hours before contractions started. I then had about 12 hours of latent labour with relatively mild contractions, my waters broke and then moved into active labour and DS was born a few hours later.

I think when you start having contractions you will recognise them as it’s quite different from the constant ache that you’re having now.

Good luck! Hope it happens soon for you.

Just to add - when you say your discharge has changed, if it has become watery then let the midwives know as this might be that your waters are slowly leaking. They can do a test at the hospital to see whether it’s amniotic fluid or just watery mucus.

Oh congratulations!

And quite the opposite feel like it’s got thicker (tmi sorry!) baby’s very active at the moment and am very uncomfortable so was just curious as to whether there is a difference in early contractions but your message was really reassuring thank you

I feel like I’m close to labour but each day goes by and nothing! I know I’m technically still early as well but in the end just want it to happen!

I was induced with my first, but it took ages. When labour started I felt like I needed a poo and was having diarrhoea kind of stomach aches. Then second time I went into labour naturally and I had bright red bloody mucus, quickly after that the poo pains started, but both times quickly turned into definite contractions. I do have quick labours though. Baby 3 I was on the drip so knew for sure when it started! Each time my waters haven't broken until the baby is coming out (except the last when they broke them).

I think you could well be in early labour but you'll know when shit gets real as the pains will come in waves, and paracetamol won't help at all. Good luck & I hope it happens soon and quickly for you!