Days Leading Up to Labour

[BeanieBee]

Hello lovely people :)

We are 39 weeks today, and I'm getting excited about the possibility that labour might happen any day now!

Amongst other things, I've mainly felt some cramps which come and go (likely Braxton Hicks!) and my cravings have completely changed.

What did you feel like in the days leading up to labour? I feel like I'm going mad googling labour /pre labour symptoms, or trying to predict when baby might come based on how I'm feeling!

It would be interesting to know how you felt in the days before baby was born.

BB x

I didn't feel different at all. I went in to labour at 39+6 with none of the pre-labour symptoms you sometimes hear about, and DD1 was born on her due date.
I'd had a lot of Braxton hicks for quite a few months, and then was walking home at 39+6 and had my first contraction. Not painful, but a definite feeling of "oh that's new".

Oh okay! So there isn't always a "pre-warning" then!

"We're" 39 weeks? Are you both pregnant?

Anyway, with first babies they tend to come late, so you may have nearly three more weeks to go.

One reliable sign that labour is impending is diarrhoea.

No signs for me in the days leading up to labour. I had some very mild period pain type feelings throughout the day, on the day I went into labour but they were so faint I almost couldn’t be sure. Then all of a sudden my waters broke so that was a bit more conclusive 😅 proper contractions started soon after.

My waters broke at 41 weeks but I didn't go into labour for another fortnight.

Oh! I thought that they would have to do something pretty swiftly if your waters break and labour doesn't start?

Why? You're more likely to have a normal delivery if you go into labour spontaneously.

Not sure. Just going from what my midwife told me, that's all.

BTW did you realise that the Reply button on MN doesn't work? You need to click on the three dots and select QUOTE

@BeanieBee my midwife has also told me the same about if your waters break. Good luck, you must be so excited!!

gave birth both times exactly on my due date. Didn’t get any warning signs that labour was imminent either time. Just happened seemingly out of the blue!

It's very unusual for waters to break before contractions begin.

If that does happen, yes they look at inducing if labour isn't progressing.

Very excited!! 😁

I thought that was the case too, because of the risk of infection. Surprised at pp who waited two weeks between waters breaking and labour.

With my first, my waters suddenly broke with no signs beforehand at 38 weeks, and I had a c section as no sign of labour.

With my second, I had a planned c section booked at 39 weeks and went into early labour in the few days beforehand by having contractions every night.

I'm due in a couple of weeks and I'm getting a ton of flutters

Zero symptoms for DC1, I went out to dinner with DH, went home and slept soundly to 5am when I woke with labour pains. DC2 thought I felt really out of it the day before labour started, very tired and emotional and crampy.

Absolutely no signs for me either time until I started having contractions. Went to nearly 42 weeks both times and became convinced I might be pregnant forever! Spoiler alert: I wasn't! 😂

If you want the truth fucking grumpy and emotional and angry at everyone but particularly DH. Crying at the drop of a hat and couldn't stomach meals, just snacks like a slice of garlic bread etc- not like me! Also white poo (sorry) Best of luck to you xxx

I didn't get any signs, went out for a family dinner in the evening then went home to bed. My contractions started in the middle of the night and woke me up.

Depends how far along you are.
With DD2 my waters broke at 34 weeks. I was given steroids, kept in hospital for two nights, and given a 10 day course of antibiotics.
I didn't go into labour and was induced at 37 weeks.

I think if your waters break after 37 weeks, they act more quickly as the baby wouldn't be premature so the risks/benefits change.

Had my son at 38 + 1. Had mild period type pains the day before, pretty sure I had diarrhea also and couldnt eat.

Waters broke at 11.45pm, got to the hospital and examined by 12.30am and was already 8cm. Had him at 4.41am!

Currently 27 weeks so hope its the same this time 😂

Absolutely nothing, not even braxton hicks. Then I woke up with contractions. Within an hour I was timing them, an hour later 3 in 10 mins. Waters broke and went from 2 to 9 cm in 2 hours.

I had my first baby recently, and never went into labour - went to 42 weeks and didn't feel comfortable waiting any longer, and chose an elective C-section over an induction.
So no labour signs, didn't lose mucus plug, and luckily I felt pretty comfortable. The waiting can be frustrating, but equally I really enjoyed those last few weeks of waiting with DH - it felt like a special, if slightly surreal, time.

So would be worth thinking of your preferences if you go overdue, which is likely for first-time mothers. I think a lot of women can feel pressured into accepting an induction as soon as they go past their due date, when it might not have been the right decision for them. Good luck!

I felt a lot like you, OP, googling away for signs of early labour. There were very few signs really. Looking back, I think I had a burst of energy the evening before I went into labour. My waters broke early the next morning. With my second, there was nothing.

I know you’re likely bored of hearing it, but enjoy these last few days/weeks before your baby arrives.