Does labor just all of a sudden start?

[twins+1]

It seems like so many women have signs for a few days before-hand lately, but can labor just come out of no where? With my twins I was in preterm labor and when I actually went into full labor it was no surprise. With this baby, my cervix is making changes, I'm feeling more pressure, but some days (like today) I feel great and I don't see labor any time near. So, does it just start of out of the blue for some women?

[preemiemamarach]

I am wondering the same thing- I had prodromal preterm labor for 10 weeks (contrax around the clock, that was fun) with my son, and would love to have a sudden 'it's time!' experience with this next one.

[Amydoula]

For my first DS it came out of nowhere. I woke up at 3am one night with contractions 4 minutes apart and it went from there. No loss of mucus plug, no runny stool, none of the obvious "signs". I'm assuming it will be the same way for this one b/c I still feel pretty darn normal. Some more crampiness and pressure but nothing that any other pregnant woman at almost 38 weeks wouldn't mention.

[lotus.blossom]

Mine did. I was at a birthday party/cookout all afternoon. My family all say they "knew" I was going to go that night because I just had a "look" but really who knows!! I felt pretty hungry and a little bit off when I was there. That night I started with 2 ctx that were mild and then BAM! 1-2 minutes apart right away. There was no warning or prelabor. Just active!

Goodluck! May yours be quick and emminent.

[Asher]

Other than prodomal labor with my others (which I had for WEEKS so it definitely wasn't a sign of labor being imminent), I had no signs. With three of them, my water broke and with the other, contrax just started. Looking back, it seemed totally out of the blue, but I do not remember if I had signs or not, really. I didn't get bloody show and mucous plus until labor began and/or my water broke.

[Undercover Mama]

My labors have started off with my water breaking each time. I've never had contrax first, but they started shortly or immediately after the water breaking and were very strong and close and my labors have all been very fast.

It actually seems to me that most of the BH contrax really taper off about a week before labor begins, like my body has had enough practice and wants a rest before the real deal. I have been feeling very little contrax activity the last few days compared to the weeks before, so I hope that means I'm close!

Even though this is baby #5 for me, I'm curious to know what labor would be like for me if it did come on slow, and how soon I'd be able to "know" I was in labor. I've had a feeling it might be the case with this one.

[SunCB]

DS1~ I had nothing I can remember then they wanted the induction before 41 wks but we were able to push it off till 41 wks and I still had nothing and was only 1 and thinning very slowly (from like 35-36 wks).

DS2~ Had nothing I can remember then all of a sudden I realized I was in labor and that I probably had been since the time I woke up. Labor started 40 wks 3 days but he was not taken until 40 wks 5 days. It probably took about 12 hrs for me to realize I was in labor then 16 hrs when DH finally knew and 24.5 hrs before arriving at the hospital (20 more there then).

DC3~ I have had BHs and what I thought was false labor earlier but I think that was due to stress at the time. I feel a lot more pressure and aches down there with this LO so we shall see what happens but I am expecting just for it to hit again whether it be a longer labor or not.

[russianthistle]

I hope so.

[twins+1]

Originally Posted by Undercover Mama

My labors have started off with my water breaking each time. I've never had contrax first, but they started shortly or immediately after the water breaking and were very strong and close and my labors have all been very fast.

It actually seems to me that most of the BH contrax really taper off about a week before labor begins, like my body has had enough practice and wants a rest before the real deal. I have been feeling very little contrax activity the last few days compared to the weeks before, so I hope that means I'm close!

Even though this is baby #5 for me, I'm curious to know what labor would be like for me if it did come on slow, and how soon I'd be able to "know" I was in labor. I've had a feeling it might be the case with this one.

Thats interesting. I wonder if more women have that? I've been really non-contractual in the past 3 days or so. lol Baby has been sleepier too.

[the_lissa]

My labours have justs tarted with no signs, symptoms, or warning.