diarrhea before labor

[WindyCityMom]

Hi everyone

I'm 34wks along, and had a fetal fibronectin swab done which came out negative. I have regular contractions most days but they don't continue throughout the day. I'm not dialated at all even.

For the past three days I've been having horrible diarrhea. I know that since my FFN was negative I am likely not going to go into labor but I have to wonder.

I'm pretty sure I lost my mucus plug tonight as I was using the bathroom (also having diarrhea.. but the plug-like thing looked very different).

I'm just wondering, for anyone who's experienced diarrhea or loose stools before labor began, how long did it last?

TIA

[terrabella]

Oh I hope not! 34 weeks is too soon to loose your plug if you want to UC! Are you certain that it wasn't just bile/mucus?

[WindyCityMom]

If I were to go into labor before 37 weeks I wouldn't UC

I'm 90% sure that it was my plug and not part of.. the rest of what I expelled It was very different in color. I have a diaper stick to swish really gross diapers around and I used it to drag the plug up the side of the toilet bowl- it was really gelatinous like mucus, and the color of my plug when I lost it with DD (though DDs plug was much smaller, and I lost the rest of it in chunks during labor).

My dates are spot on. I'm not very concerned since losing your plug isn't indicative of labor starting (just like diarrhea isn't). It just regenerates itself. You can even walk around for weeks dialated to 3cm and have nothing happen (hope that doesn't happen to me, I think I'd become very frustrated, lol!).

[terrabella]

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom

If I were to go into labor before 37 weeks I wouldn't UC

I'm 90% sure that it was my plug and not part of.. the rest of what I expelled It was very different in color. I have a diaper stick to swish really gross diapers around and I used it to drag the plug up the side of the toilet bowl- it was really gelatinous like mucus, and the color of my plug when I lost it with DD (though DDs plug was much smaller, and I lost the rest of it in chunks during labor).

My dates are spot on. I'm not very concerned since losing your plug isn't indicative of labor starting (just like diarrhea isn't). It just regenerates itself. You can even walk around for weeks dialated to 3cm and have nothing happen (hope that doesn't happen to me, I think I'd become very frustrated, lol!).

I know, I know. But I like to err on the side of freaking out, because so often it leads to labor.

I'm so glad you wouldn't UC. There are many who would.

I hope s/he bakes longer for you!

[Kidzaplenty]

I would.

But I don't remember any diarrhea before my labors began, with the exception of when I used CO.

[terrabella]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I would.

Why?

[Kidzaplenty]

Why would I UC at 34 wks?

Because I have had a perfectly normal, no problems at all, 35wk baby. And most of the problems associated with a 34 wk baby tend to be keeping the baby warm. Kangaroo care and extra vigilance can treat a 34wk baby very well. And if there are breathing problems, the hospital is only minutes away. Coupled with the fact that I tend to have large babies (my 35wker was 7.4lbs), I have tons of experience with medical emergencies, know infant CPR (and have had to use it), and can keep my head in emergent situations, I believe that in most situations, my baby would be less traumatized by being born at home; especially between 34-36 wks.

[terrabella]

♥

[Kidzaplenty]

To be perfectly honest, I would much rather my baby not come before 36wks (38+ being best). And if I had "pending labor" signs at 34 wks I would do everything in my power to push it off as long as possible.

But, I have seem several of my children "manhandled" by medical persons in the guise of "helping" them and I am unwilling to put a premature baby in that situation on purpose. I know they really think they are doing their best for them, and don't intend to do them harm, but they do. And most of the research I have done indicates that kangaroo care and vigilance is an excellent way to care for a "older premee" (I guess that is what you would call a 34-36 wker) so long as there is no breathing issues. And if there are breathing issues, most of the time they do not become serious until later, giving me plenty of time to drive the few minutes to the hospital (or call the EMTs which are housed less than a mile from my house).

And though I understand that size does not equal lung maturity, the larger the baby better the chance of more mature lungs (I am sure I am butchering the "spirit" of the studies I have read, but the idea is there).

I am just counting down the days now until I reach 34 wks (I am 32wks & 3dys), when I will be "safe" to UC with caution. After that point, I will count down the days until I reach 37 wks.

[WindyCityMom]

DD was born at 41w2d, 19" and 7lbs7oz, and induced. She could have cooked for awhile longer IMO.

It really depends on the person and their babies.. everyone grows babies differently.

[Kidzaplenty]

This is true. That is why I don't worry about what everyone else would do. And why I put a lot of thought and research into my timetables.

I have been hoping for a "little" baby this time, but at 31 wks he was already 4lbs! I would LOVE to have a 7 pounder! But it looks unlikely.

[terrabella]

♥

[terrabella]

♥

[WindyCityMom]

They do feel very fragile! I'm a bit anxious to see the difference between holding my 30lb toddler & a (hopefully) 7 or 8 lb newborn!

Anyhow... I'm not even having contractions tonight, which is really strange. Not complaining though!

[terrabella]

♥

[WindyCityMom]

It's still there Very annoying. Contracting on and off as usual today.

[tracymom1]

FWIW, my diarrhea started at least a week before I went into labor. I pounded water to keep from dehydrating because I kept thinking "this must be it!!" But, alas, a whole week went by before the real deal. I hope the LO cooks a little bit longer for you!

[Kidzaplenty]

So sorry you are going through this. I sure do hope it comes to a complete stop and you feel much better before the LO arrives. It is no fun at all.

[terrabella]

♥

[terrabella]

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