38 weeks, my body is teasing me now!

[LuckyMoonstone]

38 weeks pregnant today with my 2nd child, I was induced first time so no experience of going into labour naturally.
I keep thinking there’s a chance of labour starting soon, but then nothing happens. So for about the last week I’ve been having period-style cramps low down under my bump for a few hours a day, then the next day will be next to nothing, and then I’ll feel them again the next day, then nothing etc. Or I’ll get tightenings for a while, or some little zingy pains across my middle. Pretty much always got some lower back pain. But it never amounts to anything!
Baby feels nice and low and I get lots of pressure all the time (can feel it’s head pushing into my bladder and pressure towards the back like I need the toilet) which is a good sign but I’m desperate for things to start properly. No sign of anything that resembles a mucus plug, which seems to be the thing that most people notice first.
I have a sweep booked for this Thursday, but I had three with my son and they did bugger all. I feel like I’m clock watching as I know I’ll be pushed for an induction around my due date which is in two weeks (for various reasons) and I really really don’t want that! So the anxiety with each day that passes is probably not helping.
I am on my birth ball every chance I get, plus doing some other exercises with my peanut ball- lots of leaning forward and open pelvis etc.
Baby is very active today, shoving me around, pushing its feet right up to the top of my bump like it’s trying to propel itself downwards 😅 don’t know if increased activity like this means anything but I hope it does!

I had this from quite early - it was awful to be honest as I kept getting my hopes up (I really wanted to avoid induction) and then nothing! It did feel like my body was letting me down so I sympathise and hope something happens soon!

@Summermeadowflowers ah thank you, I tried to have a sweep yesterday but cervix is closed :( and now I feel like it was all in my head, even though I know I was having genuine pain and tightenings. But can’t understand why there is absolutrly no physical progression at all. What happened to you in the end?

You have loads of time yet. You’re still only considered early term at this point, full term isn’t until 39 weeks. Your body need oxytocin to get labour going which is released when you’re relaxed and happy, stress release’s cortisol which will stop labour happening. It’s easy to over analyse every twinge in the last few weeks, but it’s really important to try not to focus on it and just concentrate on getting those happy hormones flowing. Favourite music, comedies, chocolate, orgasms, warm baths, whatever makes you happy

I had a planned section but it was at 39 + 6. In many ways I’d have preferred to go into labour naturally but the unpredictability of what can happen with a natural birth was a worry for me. I had a failed induction followed by an EMCS with my DS so I did not want to go through that again!

I was in a lot of pain and discomfort towards the end of my pregnancy and I just wanted the baby out to be honest! It is true that as above poster says 38 weeks is early but equally those last weeks of pregnancy DRAG like nothing on earth!

It sounds like prodromal labour, it's your body getting ready and sometimes also getting baby in position. You've plenty of time yet - up to another 4 weeks - so try and see it as steps towards meeting your baby and not get frustrated. It's hard, I had it for weeks and got totally fed up! But when my baby came he then came fast, so maybe all that work in advance had helped?

@Summermeadowflowers exactly the same here with my first, failed induction and EMCS! It has made me worried about my bodies inability to labour and I just have no faith in it now 😕

@zurala @PickledScrump I know I’m only 38 weeks but I don’t have loads of time. I’m being pushed for induction at 40 weeks due to GD and I don’t know how much I can convince them to let me go over. So I feel like I’m clock watching which definitely isn’t helping my anxiety!

I think remember it is your choice and call, ultimately. I had induction last time due to my age (I was 40 when I had DS and 42 this time!) but I think I would have waited until 41 weeks. I went with the elective because I was just in so much discomfort I wanted DD out - I could barely walk towards the end! I understand the doctors like to err on the side of caution but I think as long as you’re being regularly monitored there’s no reason why 40 weeks is the magic cut off.

Sounds like your body is getting ready to labour but baby won’t come until it’s ready. That said though I had sweep day before my due date on DC3 and midwife told me he was still really high and there was no sign of anything happening anytime soon. She even phoned the hospital to book an induction ready for when I would be 10 days over.
As it happens turns out DC3 had other ideas and less than 24 hours after my sweep he was born. So much for “he’s not coming anytime soon.”

@Summermeadowflowers yeah I mean they can’t force me! But I don’t want to be seen as stupid not taking their advice. But all my scans are showing baby is absolutely fine, and not at risk of being massive or anything 😅 I have yet another scan next week at 39 weeks so plenty of monitoring 👍
@ShineBright1209 oh wow I wish that would happen! I have had lots more discharge/mucus since she examined me so there must be some room for it to come out. This evening I am having loooooads of pressure down below from baby and tightenings, and a general feeling like my torso is pushing something downwards 😅 but not pain, just a funny heavy feeling

I think the reason I’m reading so much into these feelings is becuse with DS I had absolutely nothing at all- no braxton hicks, no pressure, no mild cramps, literally no feelings whatsoever (other than him moving) until I was induced at 42 weeks. So this time I’m like omg, somethings happening! 😆

If you’ve got a birthing ball try sitting and rocking on that.
I had no inclination that mine was on the move until my waters went in the middle of the night so sometimes it does just happen out of nowhere.
I’d never even had a show until my labour started with my fourth and felt abit stupid phoning labour ward about it and to check it was normal to then tell them it was DC4.