Pre-labor signs?

[phoenix78]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since I posted here, but I'm 36 weeks (due 3/21) and for the last week have been having contractions on and off, along with strong pelvic pressure. With the exception of yesterday, I've had contractions every late afternoon/night this week. At first, they were very much just B/H, not painful, just tight. Lots of pelvic pressure. Called MW who checked me last Monday and said the pressure was because baby was fully engaged and as "low as she could possibly go." In the last few days, I'm feeling very menstrual-ish. Legs ache. Crampy. Irritable. Having some nausea as well. Contractions are still irregular (10-30 minutes apart usually) but have grown more uncomfortable to the point where some I am really concentrating on getting through because they hurt.

Anyone else having this? I don't know if this is just typical for the last month as my dd#1 was born at 32 weeks with PROM. I haven't lost my plug yet...just anxious to meet this little one I guess. Wanting to get to 37 weeks and anytime after that is fine with me! Thanks for any advice/sharing. Phoenix

[dearmama22]

I think it's your body getting ready.

I'm almost 39 weeks (!!) and I get strong pelvic pains, meanstral cramps, leg pains etc.. and I think it's my body getting ready. At least it's hopefully doing SOMETHING to get labor started sooner rather than later!

[kdf]

You have describe my life completely right now. I really hope it is just our bodies getting ready. I have gone to my due date with my other two. I am not sure I can do another week of this.

Hope you get to 37 weeks.

[Aly22681]

Ugh, I am going through this too. I have contractions every day and have for about a week and a half now. Last night I never got to sleep, contrax started at 11:30pm and lasted until 5am. I was in so much pain I couldnt walk or talk, I threw up once because of the pain. However they were only about 10 mins apart. Around 4 am they started to get much more irregular and by 5 they were pretty much gone (maybe one every 35-45 mins)

I know I sound like a wimp, but I can't do that again tonight. If I was in actual labor and working towards having my baby, I'm sure my pain tolerance would much higher (well at least I hope hahaha) I just don't think I can handle many more of those nights. I am so sore today, my stomach is killing me from all the contractions, and my whole body just aches. I have a Dr appt tomorrow and I'm hoping he checks me and tells me that the contrax were at least making progress and changed my cervix. I've been 3cm and 100% effaced for over a week now, with no changes.

AHHHH sorry for the rant, I'm just really done with being pregnant. Well actually the pregnancy is GREAT, I'm just really done with false labor. Uncomfortable during these last 3 weeks, I was prepared for. Flat out cant walk or talk or breath pain without being in labor....I was/am not!!

[hillaryjudd]

Yep, sounds like what I've been dealing with for the past week. I wasn't dilated at all last week but will definitely be checked this week to see if all of these contractions are doing anything!!! Prodromal labor can, unfortunately, last weeks!

My twins were born at 37 weeks via induction and i'm 38 weeks now so this is new territory for me too!

[filiadeluna]

Saturday morning I vomited, and then was nauseated twice more during that day. The last two days I've had diarrhea (TMI), heartburn, and my boobs have been leaking a bit more than usual. I've been exhausted... like a truck hit me. I also have occasional cramping, and what I think are BH. I keep hoping it will turn into full-out contractions, but nothing so far.

I am calling out of work today with my only "emergency" day off left b/c I know I need to rest. I am really hoping something will happen today with the New Moon so I don't have to go back to work for a long time.

[lanielayne]

I'm in the same boat at 35 1/2 weeks. My aren't painful though but are coming every other night. Last night I fell asleep with them and even woke a few times during some. I haven't ever slept through contractions like that before. It felt strange. I wish there were some answers out there to tell us how much longer we have!

[phoenix78]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for responding and letting me know this is all normal stuff. Saw my chiro today who decided not to adjust me, given I'm not yet 37 weeks and she didn't want contrax to come on stronger. She is doubtful I'll go past 38; I trust her as much as my midwife with their ideas/estimations, as she is a maternal specialist and works with lots of mommies...that said, I guess no one but baby gets final say!

Today the contrax were up to 5 minutes apart for about 1/2 hour-45 minutes and I thought it was really it, but then slowed back to 10 minutes, than 20 minutes, and have all but tapered out again now that I'm resting in bed. I also get these stinging sensations really low that I've read on other posts could be dilation occuring. Seeing MW on Thursday and wondering whether she'll do a check again. No dilation when I saw her last week.

Wishing everyone peaceful and restful sleep tonight! Phoenix

[filiadeluna]

I just had a pretty strong nosebleed. I was blogging about my impending motherhood (being all sappy & whatnot), and I started crying. So, of course, I got all stuffed up and had to blow my nose. Then I realized it was bleeding everywhere. The last time my nose bled was when the day after I found out I was pregnant. I'm prone to sinus stuff anyway, but was curious if this had ever been a sign for labor for anyone?

I go to (hopefully my last) Midwife appointment tomorrow! I guess I will ask her all my burning questions. That reminds me, I need to print out my Birth Plan ASAP so she can look over it.