Signs labour is coming?

[ftmicw]

Only 36 weeks, with first baby. Been cramping on and off all day, mix of period cramps, sharp pains (like lightning crotch but on my bump) and poop cramps. Although I have been having loose stools the past while (sorry tmi) the cramps aren’t the worst and are manageable but definitely there. Although I find the cramps that are like poop cramps very sore and I’m having to breathe through them. They aren’t regular, just been having them on and off since I woke up this morning. Also a very strange day, spent a lot of it crying with anxiety and worry, worrying about things that didn’t worry me my whole pregnancy… is labour maybe coming? Or am I being ridiculous? Did any of you experience this before labour?

Does sound quite labour-ey. Especially the emotions and loose stools. The rest could be some serious Braxton Hicks.

Yeah I agree with above post. Loose stools are a sign but the cramps sound like Braxton Hicks. You need to have regular frequent discomfort that gets worse and closer together. You're not being ridiculous at all! Just try and stay calm and ring the hospital if you want some advice. And you're only a week off what's considered full term!

I had a similar experience of going in to labour (also at 36 weeks) my cramps were very regular right from the start (every 3 min), though not painful, just uncomfy and like I needed to go to the toilet.

so for me that was the start of labour, baby arrived a few days later, so it was a long one!

Impossible to say. I had all this from 32 weeks with dd. She arrived at 41 weeks!

To be honest, the first time round, I was only sure I was in labour when I was on all fours and making unintelligible loud noises couldn't talk through the contractions... Stopped wondering at that point. 😁

P.s hope you're ok op, but if you're busy cuddling your new born, there's no rush to update. 😉😁

Sorry - crass joke... Forgot you're only 36 weeks. As you were. 🙏

Thanks everyone! No sign of labour as of yet. However, still experiencing loose stools & a new thing, nausea and vomiting! I feel as if I’m in the first trimester again, I feel sooo nauseous. And weirdly??? For the first time in forever yesterday, I didn’t experience heartburn. I have it a little bit this morning but NOTHING compared to what I usually get. I’m thinking maybe has baby dropped? Does this sound like baby’s probably coming very soon?

Hi OP! It does sound like baby has dropped down alright but it doesn't necessarily mean labour is imminent. My baby was head down and well engaged from about 30 weeks but I was induced just before 40 weeks due to high blood pressure. It's such a cliche but you'll know when you're in labour, you'll know by the contractions.

It could still be a few weeks off even with these symptoms, it may even just be a bit of a bug. If you are concerned it may be labour I would contact your midwives though as your not classed as full term until 39 weeks so you still have a bit to go yet.