Not feeling much of anything...

[skmama]

Hi. I'm 39 wks and 2 days now. I'm due 1/27.
With both of my earlier pregnancies I got labor induced early by choice, because I was impatient (at week 38). This time around I want to let it happen naturally. However, I'm not feeling much at all. No unusual discharge. Just some BH and rarely some cramping. I thought most women go through signs that labor's coming soon. Is it normal to not feel much of anything at all and then all of a sudden go into labor?

[laurelg]

I didn't lose my mucous plug, didn't have any bloody show, didn't feel any dilation on my self-checks, and didn't really seem to be effacing, either. I had been a little crampy, but nothing major, and lots of not-going-anywhere BH.

I did get mentally nesty - just wanting things around me very calm, quiet, and peaceful, no negativity, etc. Crazy cleaning-the-house nesty, though? Not so much!

Aside from the fact I'd had a hunch my bub would show up on her due date (or that labor would at least start), I had no real indicators anything was coming. But, sure enough, I had my first contractions around 2:30am, and she was born at 9:42pm the same day.

[my_baby_love]

I'm right there with you. My EDD is 1/31 and I have yet to experience any real signs of labor. I had a couple REALLY weak contractions the other night, but they were basically really strong BH contractions and they petered out after about an hour. I had my first DS at about 38 weeks, so it's driving me nuts that this one isn't here yet (I'm about 38 weeks 5 days)! With my first I lost my mucous plus about a week before I went into labor, but that was it for labor signs with him so I'm not counting on too much with this one.

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by laurelg

I didn't lose my mucous plug, didn't have any bloody show, didn't feel any dilation on my self-checks, and didn't really seem to be effacing, either. I had been a little crampy, but nothing major, and lots of not-going-anywhere BH.

So good to hear!

I have lots of empathy for you ladies!
I'm not dilated at all and I'm past 41 weeks.
It's so hard to be patient, but yu have to believe your body knows what it's doing, and there is a reason for everything.

[Mrs.Oz]

I too was induced with #1 and therefore had no idea how my labor would start. I'd had lots of really strong BH for several weeks, and lots of nesting bursts, lots of discharge, etc, but nothing concrete.

Went for a prenatal massage last Friday (39w+5d), felt great. Around evening, I just felt strange, like a cat backed into a corner. Didn't want to be touched, didn't want to answer questions, just felt really anxious and irritated but couldn't figure out why. Went to bed around 9 but couldn't really fall into a deep sleep. Back just started to hurt really bad (no ctx, just a constant pain). Woke up around 2:30am with same pain and a very active baby and a couple stronger BH. Sat upright in bed to try to encourage DD to settle down, and WHAM! A real ctx...the "there's-no-doubt-holy-cow-I-forgot-how-much-they-really-hurt" ctx. They started about 7-8 min. apart, and by about 6 am when I went to the bathroom, I noticed bits of mucous plug in the toilet. By that time it was pretty obvious to me that this was in fact it, and it was! Baby was born 10:36pm Saturday.

So, long story short, I had no real signs beforehand, at least nothing you read about in books or online. Way worth it to let it happen on it's own though

[mojobot2000]

Originally Posted by skmama

Hi. I'm 39 wks and 2 days now. I'm due 1/27.
With both of my earlier pregnancies I got labor induced early by choice, because I was impatient (at week 38). This time around I want to let it happen naturally. However, I'm not feeling much at all. No unusual discharge. Just some BH and rarely some cramping. I thought most women go through signs that labor's coming soon. Is it normal to not feel much of anything at all and then all of a sudden go into labor?

skmama, as I think we've identified in other threads, we're in the same boat! Same due date, anyway. This is my first baby, and I haven't had any signs of anything. Nada. Squat. I've been getting noticeable braxton-hicks throughout the pregnancy, and I can't say they're picking up in any real way. Some days more than others, I guess. Some low-belly pain that seems more related to dragging the weight around. And some sporadic SPD pain that's clearly not labor related. I'm not getting internal exams, so I have no idea what's going on with my cervix. So...we'll see, right?

Good luck with yours!

[skmama]

Thanks for all the responses. Every BH ctx or cramp I get, my mind is thinking it's labor starting. It's crazy.
My hubby has started to find my impatience amusing. And I haven't even told him I'm drinking 1/2 gallon RRL tea per day, using the breastpump off and on, squatting and bearing down off and on, and even bouncing up and down on my older son's bed with my 2 yr old. He'd probably roll off the furniture laughing!!!
Good luck to all of us who are waiting w/o the signs we are craving!

[Kimmiepie]

I have no advice for you personally, as I always dilate early and wind up getting induced late. This time I'm not going for induction...and I think every "false" thing is labor. It's so frustrating. I've been dilated for weeks, soft cervix, lots of discharge increase, painful and regular 3-4 minute contractions that I'm sure is "it" and I'm still not in labor.

But my mom said that she never dilated early or had any signs whatsoever of her babies coming and then BAM just one day she was in labor.

I think it's different for everyone, which I know is discouraging. Hang in there.

My hubby has started to find my impatience amusing. And I haven't even told him I'm drinking 1/2 gallon RRL tea per day, using the breastpump off and on, squatting and bearing down off and on, and even bouncing up and down on my older son's bed with my 2 yr old. He'd probably roll off the furniture laughing!!!

[northwoodsmom]

Glad I'm not the only one!

I'm at 40w + 2d (if you believe their calculations -- see the post on long menstrual cycles) and don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't have any pre-term labor signs with my first 2 children, either. First was induced, but with my second I was less than 1 cm and not really effaced at all, and 2 days later I went into labor and she was born no problems. I think I'm going to tell my OB that he can't check me anymore... he's getting way too anxious to talk induction and it's driving me insane. !!!

[skmama]

Kimmiepie and northwoodsmom, it's reassuring to know it can still happen naturally without any early labor signs
I think it's a great idea not to let the doctor check, northwoodsmom. I think both the dr and patient can read too much into the results of those checks. The last time I got checked, she told me nothing's going on down there. And, that kinda ruined my day.... And my sis got told by her dr that she was 3 cm dilated and had all of us and herself in a frenzy thinking labor would be starting that same day (it didn't end up happening until almost 3 weeks later)!

[skmama]

I tried to nudge things along last night and tried castor oil and DTD. Emptied out my system nicely - that's about it What a stubborn baby!!

[Kimmiepie]

Have you tried pumping or nipple stimulation?

[skmama]

i tried using the breastpump on and off (meaning I do it sometimes, not every day) for like 1/2-1 hour at a time. Felt nothing.

[ellacy]

No early signs with dd1 and other than BH this time around, no big signs either. Every little possible sign does make me think 'labor?' Still waiting though =)

[skmama]

Tried DTD three nights in a row....Nothing!!!! Tomorrow's the due date. Will try walking around holding my toddler, squatting, and RRL tea within the next couple of hours. Let's see....

[Super~Single~Mama]

Don't get too discouraged!! I had NOTHING happen at all until 3 days after my EDD when I went into labor and I had my bundle the next morning after 12-14 hours of labor!

[Kimmiepie]

Originally Posted by skmama

i tried using the breastpump on and off (meaning I do it sometimes, not every day) for like 1/2-1 hour at a time. Felt nothing.

I think you're supposed to do 5 minutes on one side and then 5 on the other. Wait an hour and then do it again. Alternate until you have regular contractions.

[Vegan Princess]

Crashing from feb due date club. Just wanted to say I appreciate this thread. I'm due either 2/8 or 2/12 and don't feel much going on...I have been asking my mom and MIL if I should feel different or something. Both said they never did...glad to know others are in my shoes.

Cindy

[katmann]

I didn't feel anything until the day before labor started, and even then I didn't feel different, I just noticed that I had lost a little mucus. The day labor started, everything came on at once. There are tons of threads in this board on natural induction techniques, so take a look at the previous pages for more ideas.

[skmama]

Today's my due date and my doc asked if I wanted to induce today. I said no. I have another appt on Friday (in 2 days). She will pressure me with induction again. Due to insurance issues, I can't decline if she insists. I asked her to strip my membranes today. Hopefully this procedure helps soon!!
I'm going to try walking, squatting, RRL tea, etc... in the next two days. Wish me luck and send some labor vibes my way, please!!