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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Signs of labour nearing

8 replies

2littleloves · 02/07/2022 11:28

Hi all!

Currently 36+3 with baby no.3. Both my sons arrived at 38 weeks so although I know each baby is different I am anticipating the possibility of another slightly earlier arrival. For the past few days I've been feeling period like cramping which is growing in intensity each day and lower back ache, again worsening each day. Also increase in discharge and think I've lost bits of plug however no bloody show. I can't remember having this with the boys, waters broke randomly with first before I had any idea I was in labour and with second I started having intense contractions and he arrived 3 hours later. My question is, should I be concerned or do I need to go and get examined to see if I'm in early stages of labour? I know baby would potentially need little to no intervention if born now, however I have no idea if going to get checked will achieve anything? Maybe just better to wait and see?

Can't believe how different this pregnancy has been... on heckle pins waiting for baby to arrive. Knowing my luck this will end up being the only one going to due date 🤣

Thanks for any advice!

OP posts:
GrowBabyGrow · 02/07/2022 14:31

Hope you're feeling ok! At my trust if your waters haven't broken they wouldn't ask you in unless the contractions are super regular (3in10) or there is a change to movements. The plug can go weeks before labour starts and can regenerate if it goes before 37 weeks. If you're unsure though then always better to ring up your maternity triage line and ask what they want you to do!

PritiPatelsMaker · 02/07/2022 14:42

Thank goodness I'm not it your Trust GrowBaby! With my first the MW broke my waters about and hour before DC1 arrived and DC2 was born in theirs!

miltonj · 02/07/2022 15:18

GrowBabyGrow · 02/07/2022 14:31

Hope you're feeling ok! At my trust if your waters haven't broken they wouldn't ask you in unless the contractions are super regular (3in10) or there is a change to movements. The plug can go weeks before labour starts and can regenerate if it goes before 37 weeks. If you're unsure though then always better to ring up your maternity triage line and ask what they want you to do!

That's so strange! Most people's waters don't go until they're in hospital in the delivery ward.

Newmumatlast · 02/07/2022 15:58

PritiPatelsMaker · 02/07/2022 14:42

Thank goodness I'm not it your Trust GrowBaby! With my first the MW broke my waters about and hour before DC1 arrived and DC2 was born in theirs!

Yeah, for my labour I was already at the stage of pushing in the water and they had to break mine for me... and pushing was only 45min

mummyh2016 · 02/07/2022 16:19

GrowBabyGrow · 02/07/2022 14:31

Hope you're feeling ok! At my trust if your waters haven't broken they wouldn't ask you in unless the contractions are super regular (3in10) or there is a change to movements. The plug can go weeks before labour starts and can regenerate if it goes before 37 weeks. If you're unsure though then always better to ring up your maternity triage line and ask what they want you to do!

God knows why people are acting as though what you have said is out of the ordinary, perfectly normal for you not to be asked in unless any of the following apply:
Waters broken
Contractions 3 in 10
Reduced movements

If you go in with anything other than any of these you'll likely be waiting hours to be seen or sent back home.

Unless PP were misreading and thought you meant all 3 had to happen Confused

GrowBabyGrow · 02/07/2022 18:27

@mummyh2016 thank, yes I didn’t mean all 3 need to happen to be seen. That would be extreme. Obviously if your waters have broken before contractions start they’re going to get you in. Or if your contractions are indicating you’re in active labour! But occasional cramps and bits of mucus plug coming away they say to stay at home and wait (which is exactly the situation I’m in now, 40weeks just waiting for things to properly get going!)

SQLserved · 02/07/2022 19:11

At 36 weeks will you need steroid injections for baby’s lungs? I needed them at 35 weeks.

Call them and let the midwife decide.

Original poster
2littleloves · 06/07/2022 21:40

Thank for the replies guys. Everything seems to have stopped for the time being other than a flare up of my SPD. I'm just conscious of knowing when labour is beginning as I had planned to birth at home however due to midwife shortages I now need to go to hospital. I will need to get my 2 kids looked after and knowing as soon as it's starting rather than when I'm active labour would be a help! I know this might not be possible but makes me hyper vigilant to every twinge. 37 weeks now so on high alert. Xx

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