stomach virus or early labor?

[sammyloo]

I am 38weeks 5days - I am not sure if I had early labor signs last night or a stomach virus - with my son I just went into labor at 40.5weeks and it was so clear what was happening! I started having contractions and then 24 hours later, he came out. Yesterday I just felt crummy but have been dealing with a cold and have been extremely low energy. Then my belly just started to ache - not cramping and not really waves like a contraction (the waves were way too long and not crazy painful enough to be a contraction), but long waves of ache and discomfort. I also had very intense naseau (why is this word so hard to spell?). My appetite completely disappeared (unheard of for me, especially while pregnant). This lasted for several hours. Then I got really really scared - was I sick? Did I have some terrible virus that was going to hurt me or the baby or my toddler? When I started to panic, my bowels started emptying and I really panicked. So I went to bed. I sweated all night long and had stomach pains, but slept fitfully through most of it. I woke up feeling lousy and my diarrhea still wouldn't stop. Then it finally did and the nausea is reduced. I am still very low energy and have zero appetite, but all contractions and waves of discomfort (except for braxton hicks) are generally gone and have been gone for hours. Was that a virus or early labor that I stopped with my huge fear episode? I called my doula but haven't heard back yet. I am so concerned about my low energy and don't know how to build it back up. And I need to eat but don't know what or how to get my appetite back. Any advice would be great!

[cristeen]

Sounds like a stomach bug. You definitely need to eat at this point... whatever sounds decent, regardless of whether or not you're hungry. If the thought of it doesn't make you want to retch, that's a good thing to eat. I usually start with something mild like an apple or some rice, give it 20 minutes to settle the tummy and make sure it's not coming back up, and then move onto something stronger and containing protein. I play this particular game every morning, but the principal is the same.

[~Laura~]

You sound like me yesterday and the day before! I was SO sick - coming out at both ends. (Sorry, TMI, I know!) Things finally broke yesterday about mid-day and I felt like I could eat again. I was sooo weak. I haven't had any issues since, but man, I was wishing for labor pains over the throwing up - it was just so violent and unpleasant.

I wondered when it started if it was the start of something (emptying bowels, nausea, etc.), but soon realized I was just plain sick with something. Luckily, it's all back to normal! (And I am due Monday too! )

I hope you continue to feel better!

Laura