First signs of labor?

[hillaryjudd]

For those of you who have done this before, what were your first signs that labor was approaching? I was induced at 37 weeks with my twins, and I am now at 37 weeks 1 day and I keep wondering if/when I'll start to feel like labor is approaching or if I'll have no clue at all and just be in labor all of a sudden! So, despite already having 2 kids, I feel like a total newbie to labor

So far the only major changes I've noticed is that I have a lot more BH contrax, sometimes 2-3 an hour in the evenings, my pelvis seems to be really loose, and I've had a few energy bursts that have led to nesting.

I also wonder if because I was induced last time and didn't experience a natural labor at all if this labor will really be more like a first labor and last for a long time and/or not start until past 40 weeks!

I must say this last few weeks of pregnancy is very frustrating for me! I am a big time planner and not knowing if I'm having a baby in 4 days or 4 weeks is driving me NUTS

[filiadeluna]

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[lanielayne]

With most of my labors I have had contractions with a good pattern in the week before that end up dwindling after a while. With my second, I had a huge nesting urge a couple days before but I didn't even realize how bad it was until after babe was born. That same pregnancy I lost my plug in the few days prior and was having contractions but not strong ones. Now that I am a more seasoned mom, if you will, I lose my plug in the *weeks* prior and start dilating way before. With my 3rd and 4th births, my water has broken before contractions started. That is pretty much a dead giveaway!

[L&K'smommie]

Well, I've had no clue until it started...though the bloody show has been my first sign. I will have that and have contractions start soon after. And I do remember not feeling as well the day I went into labor with dd, with ds I thought I was being induced(well having my water broken-I was all ready 5 cm dilated) the next morning so I took some tylenol pm to sleep better and woke up to a contraction at 2:15...ds was born before I was even supposed to be at the hospital for my "induction".

Yes, you may go past 40 weeks(my first was born at 39w 4d and second at 40w-both labors started on their own)...and I'm guessing that this labor will be entirely different for you then your last. First it's a second labor and those usually go faster(for me I went from 12 1/2 hours start to finish with dd to 4 hours start to finish with ds). Second, you're not being induced...from what I've read pit causes horrible contractions so I'm guessing these won't feel as bad.

[ilovebabies]

My water never breaks. They always break it when I'm about to push in labor! But, I start having bloody show about 2-3 days prior to labor starting. Like clockwork. So, when I see that, I know I have about 2-3 days max.

[Multimomma]

I have the show a week or two before starting labor. Like lovebabies, my water NEVER breaks...it has always had to be broken, usually during transition when i can't stand the pressure any longer.

In any case, I'm having baby #8 and I have yet to have one before 40 weeks. The energy comes and goes, I've been pretty lethargic the past week or two. It is stressful to not know when it will happen, but good news is that I know i've never gone into labor earlier than eight days past my due date, so I won't even anticipate until the 15th lol!

[K&JsMaMa]

Originally Posted by ilovebabies

My water never breaks. They always break it when I'm about to push in labor! But, I start having bloody show about 2-3 days prior to labor starting. Like clockwork. So, when I see that, I know I have about 2-3 days max.

Oh, that must be nice to have somewhat of a predictor.

With my first, I was 10 days "late". Started contracting, they broke my water, he was born. Took 17 hrs.

With my 2nd, I woke in the morning to use the bathroom, water trickled down my leg. Went to hosp, labor started, he was born after 7 hrs.

Last week I had some bloody show, was contracting every 3-5 mins, then everything just stopped. Went to OB yesterday and I'm dilated to 2cm.

[ilovebabies]

Originally Posted by K&JsMaMa

Oh, that must be nice to have somewhat of a predictor.

It is nice. That's happened ever since pg #2 so it's pretty reliable. Although... I could be surprised this time. Just when I think I've got that predictor, this babe could surprise me!

[marieangela]

I didn't know with either of the boys until I started having contractions. I went from feeling fine and normal (no pelvic pain or pressure, water didn't break, no bloody show or lost mucous plug) to finally feeling contractions and that was real labor for me. It built up slowly with my first and quicker with my second. I wish I had some kind of predictors or early warning signs. I'm going to try and pay extra close attention this time.

[*~Danielle~*]

Steady contraction pattern that didn't stop. Both of my labors have started in the middle of the night and the contractions feel like bad mestrual cramps and come regularly and closer and closer together. My water doesn't break until I'm like 8 cm...so that is not a predictor for me.

[fuzzypeach]

The morning of the day I went into labor, I had menstrual-like cramps... they passed, and the afternoon regular contractions started. Didn't have bloody show until a few hours in, water didn't break until transition.

[mrsbass]

I knew I was in early labor when I woke up to what felt like steady BH, but with a pull in my lower back. I'd had no other indicators. I contracted like that all day, though they became more infrequent with activity and settled into more routine when I layed down. I lost my mucous plug a tiny bit at a time through the day and the rest of it that evening around dinner. I went in to the birth center at midnight at 4 cm.

I did end up with a lot of interventions (not sure why to this day and a c-section the next evening. My baby was posterior, so labor was going to take a while, and I know now I should have stayed at home until much further along in labor. I have a doula this time!

[JJ'sMom]

The day I has DS2, I went shopping with my mom and laughed at the Bh's I was getting. About every aisle I'd say, "Here is another one. They are very regular when I am walking."
I also drank a lot of water that day...3 times my normal amount. Apparently those were my signs.
I did not feel a "contraction" until I was involuntarily pushing. No bloody show or mucus plug, and my water stayed intact until DS crowned...So I "birthed" the bag of waters first, then his head, through my cervix,then out my vagina. It was really weird.
I hope you get a more noticeable warning system than I do.

[nuwavemomma]

I woke up with show the day I went into labor. I had no idea that it was coming in terms of physical clues ramping up - though it was my EDD.

[Purple Sage]

With #1 and #3, my water broke first and then contractions started soon after. They were both born a little before their due dates.

With #2, I had some painful contractions which I had been having every night for a week, and I knew it was the real thing when I had bloody show. She was a week late.