Signs of labour starting soon?

[colette]

I have had a dodgy tummy and mild backhache for the last 2 days. I am also feeling more emotional and sometimes a bit down. As I am 37 weeks I am starting to become obsessed that this may be a sign that my body is gearing up for labour.Then I think it could be another 4 weeks!!!
As I was induced with Dd I am not familiar with the build up to labour and am finding I can't get on and do anything because a) I feel like a big fat tired walrus and b) I keep analysing how I feel.
Anyone had similar experience?

Motherinferior, sorry you've had a shite day. Just think though, only 2 more days to go and you're officially on maternity leave. Will you be able to be firm and tell clients to sod off after that? If not, can you just leave the machine on with an "I'm on mat leave so sod off" message on it? IIRC you've got 3 weeks to go haven't you? So fingers crossed, there's a good chance your baby will turn. Colette, Dahlia, Bron, AliP and everyone else, thinking of you too. Dahlia, if it's any consolation (probably not) I'm cacking it too and just think, yours will all be over soon whereas the rest of us have weeks left of panicking about it! Hoping for cooler weather tomorrow for all of you.

Well ladies, thinking of you all - so glad that I got DS2 out before the heat hit. Luckily our flat is quite cool, but half the clothes I have for him are too warm.

Hope you all get the births you want.

Pupuce - thanks for the advice, I'm off to buy some.
Is that the Bach flower rescue remedy and is it a combination one? I think the local chemist sells Bach Remedies but I want to know eaxactly which one as when I asked the assistants about it, they didn't know anything and had run out of the accompanying leaflets.

I HAVE JUST SENT OUT MY LAST INVOICE!!! So although I'll probably wait till half-way through tomorrow to email everyone saying 'I'm off now back in November' I am pretty well OFF. Yes, www, will definitely set up 'sod off' message on work phone, and indeed send repetitions of my 'I'm off now back in November' email to anyone who tries bothering me.

Bron, why not try a completely different foodstuff, like just for example chocolate ice cream?

Still here, still fed up, legs are swollen up to my knees now, and I am weeing every 10 minutes. Can it be any more fun? Will someone please remind me why exactly I am doing this?

for a cute smile that I got from my little baby.

(And.. more realistically - to get past the first three months!)

Dahlia, I have NO IDEA. It really hasn't sunk in that not only will I have a new baby but that I will also have a spritely two-year-old to deal with. A two-year-old who is becoming more capable and enchanting with every day but who will presumably revert to absolute horror in the next few weeks. Or indeed, in a month's time. If the baby is seriously late I am F**D with maternity leave, dammit.

Am going to waddle slowly to collect dd from childminder now, avoiding the shop where my bump got groped by a total stranger the other day.

Dahlia - not sure why we are doing it - I now feel guilty at moaning about the discomfort as sooo wanted this baby (been trying for 4.5 yys!) and i suppose now i just want it to arrive - don't care about the pain of labout just want it to happen!!

Motherinferior - enjoy your time - glad to hear you managed to finish early. One m/w told me that the baby was OP (back to back) and i went swimming 4 times that week (breaststroke only!)and next time was told the baby was in back to front posn again - not sure if i did anything to change it or if m/w got it wrong!

Can i ask you ladies some aadvice - I've not seen the consultant since 20 weeks so have no idea on size of baby etc as community m/w team won't comment - I'm not due at the hospital until 41+5 is it normal to only see your m/w team for all this time? The community team has told me that they don't do internals so all they do is check my wee and my blood pressure. Last 2 times when there has been a trace of something (only slight) in my wee they've just said 'oh well you are so close its not worth bothering about!' what do you think?

Beginning to feel like a failure and that I'm letting people down by 'allowing' baby to go overdue - not very rational i know but how I am feeling. All those calls - have you not gone yet as though it is my decision!!!!!!!!!! bah.

Yes I think it is normal to see m/w unless there a problem with your pregnancy or you have had problems previously. I think the m/w are best anyway

I've only seen my community team too - the only comments on size have been from them.

Can't swim breaststroke on account of SPD. Haven't been able to swim for months, which is probably one reason I am so bad-tempered at the moment!

AliP - your care sounds like standard midwifery care. No need to see a consultant unless there is a problem. No need for a scan to check the size of the baby unless the midwives have been concerned about growth, and referred you for a growth scan. They can tell a lot by palpating your abdomen - won't necessarily indicate to you the size of your baby, as this is very difficult to do - suffice to say that those babies that are either on the v large or small size are often picked up by the community midwives during routine clinics
What did they find a 'trace' of in your wee? If it is something like sugar, then there is really no action to take which would make any difference.
We offer internal exams at term, in line with the NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines, just to try and kick start the cervix into action - not a very succesful procedure for most women, but worth it for those it helps! Don't offer any more internal exams than this tho', as that is just intervening where its not necesary.
Rach13 is right - stick with your midwives.

Colette - just say Rescue Remedy.,.... it's a very common one and it is from Bach.

AliP - it is normal.... why look for trouble when there isn't any ? What would be the point of telling you things like : Big head, big baby.... will it give you any positive feeling ???? All it will do is worry you. If MW is concerned, she won't take any risk... go with the flow !

Leese - probably wrong place to debate this but I really feel strongly that sweeps induce women in strong labours and unless they get a quick labour they are in pain (stronger pain then normal labour) with slow dilation - down the epidural route etc (particularely 1st timers).... well it is MY experience with 2 women now and when I spoke to Michel Odent he was even more against it....

Hey, there is life beyond pregnancy. At the age of 40, 37 weeks pregnant, on the fifth attempt, fourth instructor and a mere 17 years after first setting bottom to driving seat, I HAVE FINALLY PASSED MY TEST!!!!!!!!!

Well done motherinferior

Well done Motherinferior!
It's a great feeling passing your test. I didn't pass until my 4th .

Back to the bump of the grind...anyone feeling anything yet?

Just went to see labour ward. Scary.

Just been to see my community midwife (from a different hospital to where i plan to deliver) and made a bit of a idiot of myself by bursting into tears on her. Felt really silly as i have waited so long to have a baby that surely i can wait a few more days to deliver but i just feel so grotty most of the time at teh moment. Honestly i don't usually moan but there is something about being able to talk/type about your feelings that seems to allow me to say how I'm honestly feeling rather than the polite 'I'm fine' that i give to all teh people who phone!

Motherinferior congrats on your driving test - it is great to hear good news.

I have my test on the 11th July. My instructor doesn't think I will pass, it will be my 3rd attempt, another one is out of the question right now as I can't afford the lessons or the test. So if there are any religious people out there, please pray for me! Anyone else, please worship false gods for me!

AliP - it's not stupid at all. This is a really difficult time, and the fact you've waited so long makes it WORSE IMO.

Thing is, it will actually happen. Honestly. Really. Truly.

Won't it...?

Ali P - you are nearly there... hang on - you'll be so pleased and impressed with yourself.... lots of hugs

Motherinferior - why are you visiting the ward??? I thought you were going for a home birth?

Visited the ward just to see what it's like, in case I decide to/have to transfer there.

TBH, I started to panic and just wanted to come home!

Dahlia? AliP? Any news?

Back hurts again but realise this is probably because I HAD to lift various things out of the way yesterday, before dd climbed on them, climbed out of the bedroom window and plunged out...

No, I am still here, due tomorrow - I really really want it to happen tomorrow because a: its Prince William's 21st and I really like him, and b: its HARRY POTTER DAY! and I love the fact that every shop window has signs saying 2 days to go, 1 day to go etc and I feel like its directed at me! Very sad I know, and c: its summer solstice and I find all that quite romantic and mystical.
I am not weird really, it just reads that way.
AliP, hang in there! And WELL DONE Motherinferior on passing - great feeling isn't it?