Is labour near??

[AimeeLou84]

First time mum so please to easy on me if I’m asking stupid questions. I’m 36+3 and have polyhydramnios and GD so due to be induced or c section in 2 weeks due to my little girl measuring big. Today I’ve had backache and haven’t suffered all pregnancy. I’ve had sharp shooting pains during the day and tonight that last a couple of minutes but enough for me to try stretch or walk around to try get rid of them. I got into bed tonight and my stomach is pulsating and has been for about 2 hours. Walked around, drunk cold water and it’s still happening. It’s definitely not babies hiccups as I know what they feel like. My stomach is solid like it’s ready to pop. Is this braxton hicks or does it mean Labour is near? Thank you!

When you say pulsating, are you having regular contractions or is the baby really active?

She’s wriggling about now, well poking out of my stomach like a mountain and the pulsating has stopped i think but now I’ve got the sharp pain in stomach and backache 😩 I’m scared to go to sleep lol

I'd phone labour ward for advice! Might be something but might be nothing, but better for you to speak to a midwife

The pulsating has stopped now she’s just poking out of me a bit and wriggling but this is her gymnastics time so expected. Just got awful backache now 😩

Agree, it's always best to ask for advice, especially if there's been a change in movements

Hi. I also had GD and was supposed to be induced at 39 weeks as my baby was measuring very small. However, I went into spontaneous labour at 37+6 and gave birth at 38 weeks. I had a few signs that labour was very near. Firstly my glucose levels had returned back to normal. I had period like cramps and finally I had a very dodgy tummy!

I also had braxton hicks and was tested at triage to see if I had gone into early labour.

Ahhh congratulations! Strangely enough I’ve had diarrhoea and so much gas last couple of days, I’m emptying my bowels 3-4 times a day maybe more. Also, my glucose levels have all been lower than normal…maybe she’s preparing to come early. I’m kind of hoping she does so I don’t have to choose between induction or c section but then I’ve got the worry of her getting stuck 😩

I wonder if the 'poking out' is actually Braxton Hicks? I mention this because I had to have a CTG a week or two before I went into labour and it logged the 'poking out' as contractions, but they were painless - nurse said Braxton Hicks. It was as if the baby kind of balled up and stuck out in one area.

I had loads of Braxton Hicks in the couple of days before I went into labour. Labour was back pain for me. All in all, definitely some similarities to you - hope all goes well, whether this is the start of things or not! (I didn't have GD, but baby was measuring big on multiple scans so I also had an induction planned. Baby came early so I didn't need it, and baby turned out smaller than estimated so I was lucky and it was all pretty straightforward.)

That’s exactly what it was like last night! Like she was curled up in one place. She’s not moved yet this morning but I’ve only just woken up. Is it true they slow down movements towards labour? Back is still hurting…I really don’t want induction so her coming early will be a blessing. I’m so ready now. Thanks for replying! X

The movements shouldn't slow down OP. Gave a read of this from Tommys

Movements shouldn’t slow down but staff in the fetal health unit are always really happy to put you on the monitor for any change of movement, I would call them.
Try reflexology to get labour kickstarted before your induction- it worked for me both times!

As soon as I posted that she’s started moving. I’m seeing my consultant tomorrow but if anything changes I’ll call them today. People keep telling me if she’s still active Labour can’t be near 🙄

Also I’ve got severe poly…over 30cm of fluid so depending on where she is it’s hard to feel her move sometimes. My stomach is solid from the fluid

Please don't listen to that, that's an absolute load of rubbish. Their movements shouldn't slow down at all just because you're getting to the end . Xx

People keep telling me if she’s still active Labour can’t be near

Old Wives Tale and a dangerous one at that.

Have you got the Count The Kicks App OP?

No I haven’t. I was actually on a reduced movements pathway for most of my pregnancy due to my high fluid level it’s sometimes difficult to feel her. I’ve just laid down and she’s moving about. Going to monitor for next couple of hours and ring triage if she’s not moved. It doesn’t help that I’m constantly on the go so don’t notice it and I’ve got such bad anxiety 🫣

This was last night and the pressure was immense. Is this normal? I felt like she was going to pop out of me

Are you still pregnant OP?

Hey. Yep she’s still firmly inside me. I had a CTG yesterday and it showed up some short term variations and the midwives were whispering about it and asking how far along I am. When I googled it it didn’t show up much but Labour was a word that popped up. I have another CTG Monday so going to ask…the pressure and braxton hicks is well and truly in force

Could be any day now then. Hope you make it closer to 40 weeks and don't go over. Good luck!

Oh yes just realised, induction or section.. I have no experience of either but do have experience of a big baby and natural labour. I wish I'd had the opportunity to have a section x

I refused induction at 38 weeks. They kept mentioning it and i kept declining after they scared me! Just waiting on my c section date however I have a feeling she may think its a good idea to come next week lol x