Pre-labour?

[Benjy]

Hi

I am 36 weeks pregnant and for the past two weeks my baby has been engaged. Over the last 2-3 days, I've had diarrhoea, reduced appetite, increased discharge, although no show, and period-type cramping and the occasional contraction with strong cervical pain. I am also getting occasional braxton hicks tightenings.

I've had a very busy last few weeks with more heavy lifting etc than I probably should have done and little time for resting so I wonder if maybe this has made a slightly earlier labour more likely.

I still have more to do but hopefully in another week I'll be finished and ready. I've planned a couple of days out this week about an hour away from home and I'm now wondering whether I should go.

I know this pre-labour stage can last a long time but being a first-time mum, I'm not sure what to expect. Do you think I might be close to delivery or is this normal at this stage of pregnancy? I know it varies from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy but I would love to hear other people's experiences.

Stop lifting heavy stuff, get someone else to do that for you.

Totally agree with SMcK, you'll know when you need to go in to hospital.

Thanks for your replies.

babyocho - We don't have friends and family nearby and DH works long hours, which is why I've had to do so much myself.

I think maybe I didn't make myself very clear. I'm not planning on going into hospital until I absolutely have to and I know that time isn't now and I'm not in labour! I wanted to hear what other women's experiences of this preparatory stage were and how soon after they experienced these symptoms, or similiar, did their (established) labours start.

Starlight - I would love a headstart! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I agree, all these signs are good but I wouldnt think you'd go into early labour.

With all 3 of mine I've had this long pre labour stage and when its actually come to me going into hospital or like when I had my 3rd at home, I was already over halfway gone.

Just rest a little now, no slouching and lots of crap tv

I had a similar few weeks to you and spent a lot of time thinking could this be "it" or close to it. I had regular braxton hicks or contractions for a few hours at 37 weeks - nothing hugely painful but made me sit up an notice and were registering on the monitor - was already in hospital at the time. I had a show at 38 weeks.

DS was born at 39 weeks after 1.5 hours established labour - i think all of this was my body gearing up and getting ready.

Perhaps baby is settling nicely down in there and as they move down things do stretch and niggle quite a bit. I remember feeling like i had almost constant mild periody ache those last few weeks.

As a second time mum at 36 weeks pregnant I would have been going on those days out but remember last time I didnt want to go anywhere away from the house for weeks before. Trust your instinct - most likely its not quite but could be youre not that far off. If its important to you go - you wont have that freedom for a while. If its something you want to get out of use it as an excuse lol.