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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Should I be prepared for baby coming early?

36 replies

FebMama · 01/01/2023 20:17

Currently coming onto 35 weeks pregnant. Really can't remember noticing signs of impending labour with my first. Feels like a lifetime ago now!

Recently I've experienced the following symptoms, more so in the last week:

• sharp twinges in my crotch/pelvic area
• sore boobs (again!)
• vivid dreams
• sharp cramps which I am guessing is Braxton Hicks - never felt them with my first but they were so bad last night they woke me up mid-sleep
• a LOT more pressure down below, definitely feel like baby has dropped
• breathlessness
• back aches/sharp shooting pains in my back (specifically my mid-back, not lower back)

I haven't even got my ELCS date yet and I still have another two weeks left of work but I'm so convinced that baby will be making an early appearance.
Are all of the above indicators that baby may be arriving earlier or is it all just pretty "normal" for the last few weeks?

OP posts:
PumpkinDart · 01/01/2023 20:22

It's hard to tell because sometimes these things last a while before baby comes. Get your hospital bits together though just in case and if you're worried about anything speak to your midwife;

dreamersdown · 01/01/2023 20:33

Honestly, it just sounds like late pregnancy - but definitely worth having bag packed from 36 weeks so at least you feel prepared.

Nursemumma92 · 01/01/2023 20:46

It's so hard to tell, can be a sign of baby getting ready to come but I've been like that since 36 weeks and currently 41 weeks and very impatiently waiting 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
FebMama · 01/01/2023 20:59

Thank you all for the replies! I've actually started packing my hospital things today, pretty much done! Just have a few last minute bits and bobs to buy.

@Nursemumma92 you must be feeling quite fed up now I imagine!

OP posts:
RedLipsticks · 02/01/2023 02:57

I’d say yes but I’m 37+3 and I’m still not packed yet! Oops haha. I’m going to pack it tomorrow just incase!

Jusmakingit · 02/01/2023 11:30

I have exactly the same symptoms as well and im convinved mine will be early. only 35+2 and been having these for last two weeks. Also every morning i need a (TMI) very soft poo. so much stomach ache and just pure exhaustion , i can barely keep my eyes open. I dont mind an early arrival but everytime baby press's down and i get shooting pains, in my head im thinking this is going to break my waters but no , nothing . this part of preg is the hardest i find. I was induced with my first at 37+3 and dont remember anything like these symptoms so i havent a clue if this is normal or not.

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 11:32

I have had most of these for weeks and currently 39+1 🙄🙄🙄

EdwardianDream · 02/01/2023 11:35

The breathlessness needs checking out, could be anaemia. I'd give your day assessment unit or community midwife a ring to discuss the symptoms. They can then advise appropriately!

Jusmakingit · 02/01/2023 11:36

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 11:32

I have had most of these for weeks and currently 39+1 🙄🙄🙄

I cant tell if this is an eye roll or not ?

RuthW · 02/01/2023 11:38

I had none of those symptoms but still gave birth at 37 weeks.

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 11:54

@Jusmakingit it's a fed up of being pregnant eye roll yes 🙈

Nursemumma92 · 02/01/2023 12:08

@hopingfor23 I feel your pain. I'm 41 weeks now and had hours of on and off irregular contractions every day for the last week. It's my second baby and my daughter came at 40+5 but went into labour 40+3. Just so fed up with it all now and thought my body would not do this stop start thing this time as it should know what it is doing 🤦‍♀️ hope baby comes for you soon x

Jusmakingit · 02/01/2023 12:48

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 11:54

@Jusmakingit it's a fed up of being pregnant eye roll yes 🙈

Ha ha same ! at least your further along . When’s your due date ?

Jusmakingit · 02/01/2023 12:49

Is full term 37 weeks or 41 weeks ? Might be a dumb question

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 13:23

@Jusmakingit due on the 8th! Willing him out sooner in any way possible but also be grateful as long as i don't go over too much. Want to avoid induction!! How about you?

They consider anything from 37-42 full term! X

Jusmakingit · 02/01/2023 13:36

hopingfor23 · 02/01/2023 13:23

@Jusmakingit due on the 8th! Willing him out sooner in any way possible but also be grateful as long as i don't go over too much. Want to avoid induction!! How about you?

They consider anything from 37-42 full term! X

I know everyone’s so different but I was induced with my first and it was the most traumatic and mentally damaging experience of my life. But I was 37+3 so I’m certain she just was not ready to be out but because I was so ill I had no choice. I have wanted a c section for this baby and hoping at my 37 week consultation we can get it book for the following week but not sure if they would want me to keep going , I’m just so scared of everything going wrong again.

im technically due 5th feb but my dating scan was nearly two weeks behind than they expected so who knows lol 😂

I would think an induction at the very max full term baby will be more willing to come . Take the drugs they offer lol 😂

roarfeckingroarr · 02/01/2023 13:52

I have these symptoms. Currently 36+2 and thinking the same thing, OP.

I've packed my hospital bag and just sitting tight now. Not much we can do!

Original poster
FebMama · 02/01/2023 19:26

@roarfeckingroarr I finalised my bag packing today!

@Jusmakingit I could have written your post. At the moment, I am falling asleep on the sofa around 5pm for about 30 minutes and it's the only thing getting me through to DS1's bedtime! I'm also getting the soft stools (sorry TMI) but in all fairness I've had them for a few weeks since starting on iron tablets.

It's getting to the point now where every time I cough or sneeze, I worry my waters are going to pop! Need baby to hang on in there for the ELCS! (Whenever that is 😩)

OP posts:
Original poster
FebMama · 03/01/2023 01:57

Oh god I've been in bed since 10.30pm and haven't been able to sleep yet...tossing and turning feeling very very uncomfortable. Now about 10 minutes ago rushed to the bathroom urgently as I felt the need to be sick. But nothing came out. Really hope this doesn't mean anything 😳

OP posts:
FangedFrisbee · 03/01/2023 02:10

@FebMama maybe you've got noro virus?

Original poster
FebMama · 03/01/2023 08:07

Not sure what it is/was @FangedFrisbee. Managed to nod off for around 3am. No more feelings of sickness but noticeable period like cramps on and off.

OP posts:
Jusmakingit · 03/01/2023 09:31

FebMama · 03/01/2023 08:07

Not sure what it is/was @FangedFrisbee. Managed to nod off for around 3am. No more feelings of sickness but noticeable period like cramps on and off.

I’m really struggling to get a decent nights sleep , I get moments of nausea everyday as well but had nausea all through out this pregnancy. Absolutely none with my first which is bizarre , both girls.

I just ultimately feel like Iv been run over with a truck most days but then come evening I can’t fall asleep for ages and if I get woken in the night, (baby moving, OH snoring, dog wondering around the house, DD .. basically any little noise even the neighbour four doors down rolling over) I am awake lol 😂 then I start online shopping lol really not good

jHarls · 03/01/2023 17:09

Hi ladies
So glad I found this thread, I'm currently 38+5 & I'm soooooo impatient, I've woken up today feeling like I've hit a brick wall.. my energy levels are none existent, unbearable pressure down below & making it hard to walk. I don't ever remember feeling this exhausted in my last pregnancy. I'm getting a good amount of sleep (broken of course) the exhaustion is what's killing me off the most, restless, irritable you name it I'm feeling it! I'm bouncing and rotating my hips on the birthing ball like a maniac 😄 just ordered a hot curry too! Fingers crossed it happens for us all very soon!

Jusmakingit · 03/01/2023 17:14

jHarls · 03/01/2023 17:09

Hi ladies
So glad I found this thread, I'm currently 38+5 & I'm soooooo impatient, I've woken up today feeling like I've hit a brick wall.. my energy levels are none existent, unbearable pressure down below & making it hard to walk. I don't ever remember feeling this exhausted in my last pregnancy. I'm getting a good amount of sleep (broken of course) the exhaustion is what's killing me off the most, restless, irritable you name it I'm feeling it! I'm bouncing and rotating my hips on the birthing ball like a maniac 😄 just ordered a hot curry too! Fingers crossed it happens for us all very soon!

Ahhh good luck with the curry! I keep thinking about getting a birthing ball, worth it?

im a few weeks behind you but, my christ the baby movements are so tight and painful i swear an arm is going to pop out the side of my stomach :( the hard movements and jolts , make me think she will break the waters but nothing.

I am also really impatient, especially now christmas is over and my DD is back at school. Roll on baby !!

Halloumi22 · 03/01/2023 17:27

I wish there was a hard and fast rule for predicting when they were coming 🙈!

I’m 37+2 and had to go in for reduced movements last night. Thankfully all was fine but, the midwife had to dig right into my lower pelvis and told me all she was getting was shoulder so it seems most of her head is in my pelvis. Don’t I know it with the amount of times I’m going to the toilet!

My actual midwife told me 2nd babies tend not to engage until they’re actually ready unlike 1st babies who can sit for ages but who actually knows 🙈