Signs of labour

[ttc2603]

Just wondering if anyone had any signs leading up to labour? Or did it just happen all of a sudden. Would love to hear some stories as I'm expecting soon :)

I think I just remember having sort of period pains/twinges.. nothing exciting!

I think it's rare to be sudden, especially for a firstborn. TV always shows waters popping and the baby coming very soon. A TV show that showed the reality would be more boring!

I just had period type pains, not bad to start with but ramping up. The first time they made me panic, second time I just bounced on a yoga ball and did the crossword between contractions!

You'll definitely not go through labour without noticing! Good luck.

I had a mild tummy ache all day, and some dizziness. By dinner time I was able to time the gaps between contractions, went to hospital that evening and after giving me some painkillers they were about to send me home! 😂

One quick exam later they were all, "actually let's move you to the labour ward". This was about 9pm, baby was born after 3am

My first indication was, waters broke. Luckily while I was having a wee on the loo.

Later, regular painless tightening across the belly.

Later, achy thighs and feeling hot (used to have both at start of periods) .

Until I was fully dilated, all contractions were painless.

With my first there were 4 consecutive 'is this it?' evenings with lots of contractions then the real deal started at 5:30 the following morning.

Also just to add I've had 2 babies and total polar opposite experiences with waters. With ds they went in the final hour of my 16 hour labour. They went with a Big Bang on the floor like a huge water balloon and it made me jump!

Second labour there was a trickle of waters then no other signs of labour so I was induced. The trickle was so small I thought it was wee and nearly didn't bother going into hospital to get it analysed and confirmed. The lesson is ALWAYS go! They can test any liquid for u and confirm. Sometimes it's just discharge or wee and you feel like a bit of a tit bit better safe than sorry!

Good luck op.

But not bit

With my first, my waters went in a trickle then a gush (thankfully was not in Asda at the time). Went straight to hospital to be induced as labour didn't start and I have strep b. Hoping for labour to start first this time as induction can be painful and lead to more medical intervention.

My waters didn't break. No mucus plug / bloody show. I had mild period pains before I went to bed then woke up to the most excruciating contractions there was no mistaking that I was in labour.

Doing it all again in a few weeks so can't have been that bad...

My first, due date, got up for a wee but the wee turned out to be my waters. He arrived seven hours later. I went to hospital, they told me to go home because I was chatting away, I asked them to at least examine me and, oh! 'You must have a very high pain threshold' as they whisked me into the delivery suite.

He's 24 in a couple of weeks!

Enjoy your baby - yours will be 24 too in the blink of an eye!

Only real sign it might be soon was losing my plug on the Monday and baby born on the Thursday.
Woke up on the morning with cramps that I thought felt different. Got up with an urge to get showered and straighten my hair! They didn’t go away. Got into hospital for 2pmish and born 2 hours later.

First time I had a lot of painful braxton hicks in the weeks before. I also had some bleeding. This all stopped though and then labour was very fast and intense. He was a week late.

My second was a week early and I think she only came then because I sat with my legs crossed for weeks before: I had lots of cramping and braxton hicks. She felt like she was hanging out towards the head. I had a check up after a week of cramping, and back pain and I was already 3cm. They gave me a sweep then and she was out 6 h later. Very gentle labour. Was mainly manageable in the bath and only really sore for the last couple of hours.

Should have said both times the waters didn't break until last minute. Both times they broke in the hospital reception.

Replying so I get notifications as I am due in one week and getting impatient!! No signs yet though 🫣

I was 2 weeks overdue and didn't have so much as a Braxton Hicks contraction. Not a single twinge and no other signs at all. They eventually induced me, and it immediately went from 0 to 100 and she was out in 6 hours.

I had period like cramps the evening before my waters broke but thought nothing of it. The next day I was sat/stuck on the floor in the house that we had just moved into. I was painting the skirting boards, leant over to dip the brush and literally felt a popping sensation. I was like, shit! I've squashed him! Then water gushed out everywhere, then again in the car. There was no pain until one final gush at the hospital just as they sent me home with some Painkillers. Made it to the car park and DP had to wheel me straight back in as the contractions started thick and fast.

Also the mucus plug came out about 4 days before this. I found it where I'd been sat on the bed. DP was ready to vom 😂 it was a bit gross.

Good luck OP!

Just an update the signs I was getting seemed to be actual labour had her today at 34 weeks 5 days :) she's all healthy and okay thanks for all the reply's as they were very helpful!

Congratulations!

What a lovely update, congratulations op! 🤍