UPDATE - strange feelings of having an "early" baby

[fireflies~for~me]

I am going into my 37th week and feeling really WIERD the last few days. Can't figure out if I am worried about having an "early" baby or if I am really feeling things. Part of it I think is that we had one of those crazy bizarre blizzards all weekend. TOday is sunny and 65. So wierd. Was so hoping baby wouldn't decide to come this weekend!

Second baby, so maybe am remembering. But do feel a bit crampy and more BH and waaay more emotional and nesting a lot. Trying to drink tons of water so that I am not mistaking anything. Had some protein in my urine last time from not enough water. And some definite feelings that I MUST labor and birth in my bedroom. I had thought about keeping my options open, but it is almost undeniable. Wierd.

I thought though that with Sam didn't feel these things until the week he was born. Don't mamas tend to trend these things? All babies tend to be early or late or on time. I know due dates are irrelevent but is a little unnerving.

And we're not ready at all, maybe that's part of my worry. I see my midwife this week, so we'll see I guess.

[captain crunchy]

Aw mama, try to relax...maybe it is the weather that has got you all out of sorts! ...or maybe it is labor, but if you are 37 weeks, I wouldn't stress that much, as that is considered full term and for all intents and purposes, if it were the baby coming, he/she should be perfectly fine.

I would just relax as much as possible, lay on your left side and try to stay off your feet, do some deep breathing, drink plenty of fluids and stay rested and fed, and just take it as it comes...

It may or may not be the beginning signs of labor, but if it is, again, try to stay calm...almost ALL babies born at 37 weeks are full term and completely fine.

Good luck to you and take care!

[fireflies~for~me]

Thanks for the reassurance, CC!

Had an appt today with my midwife. She could not feel his/her head anymore-has descended into the birth canal...is this happening to anyone else??

I will be 37 weeks on Saturday (if I had my dates correct to begin with)...so I am getting more serious with DH about getting house ready. He can tell.

So...lots more BH, less appetite, more BMs, more urination, super nesting...a bit crampy, yada yada..I am guessing in the next week or two at the latest.

[mlis]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Ds was born right 'on time' to the day, but I just keep feeling like this babe is coming earlier... I'm 38 weeks on Sunday, head is in my pelvis and i've been having pretty intense bh contrax the last few days, grumpy, nesting, emotional, really thirsty, blah blah. Maybe its just chasing a toddler around all day thats making me feel more like labor. Who knows, or maybe we will be holding early babies!

[Aeriane]

Hi ladies! I know with my 2nd and with all the subsequent babies they do tend to descend into the pelvis and then hang out until they finally arrive. I hate to be a wet blanket but it does happen. *please don't shoot the messenger*. My last one was like that for weeks and I'd sit in a chair and feel the head turning back n forth, kind of like a grinding feeling and I would just WISH that baby out..talk about pressure!!

Relaxing is key. The adrenaline, no matter how little, can make you feel that things are happening. There's this truth too that when you're trying NOT to concieve whenever your period was late you get nervous..thus delaying it all the more. Same with babies. With my 3rd I was sure I was going to have her on time, went to the midwife..she said "you're not even engaged" (well that's true for subsequent babies..engagement into the pelvis is no indicator). Well I went home miserable, everyone at our house was having wine and though I usually wouldn't touch it I had a half glass and went to bed feeling all crampy and weird and she was born the next day, they said the relaxing was the trick.

I guess all I'm saying is it's not an exact science and you're doing the right things, fluids are important and food, maybe not so. Resting is essential, if you can! I thought I was in labor with my 5th, so I go in, I mean I couldn't breathe..couldn't talk etc they said, nope and sent me home. Grrrrr I was in so much pain all night I'm like, if this isn't labor WHAT is??? I ate too much pizza and ice cream, you know, comfort foods, and man was I sorry the next day when I went in for my scheduled inducement (because I had polyhydramnios and they wanted to have a controlled birth), and they said, oh you're up to 5cm already! Do you want pain meds?? Then then mention, you WERE in labor yesterday, by the way. I was pretty mad because I wasn't familiar with labor (been induced before and c-section etc so I was unclear). I could've learned from it if I knew it was labor and I could've meditated and really lived in the moment. grrrr LOL Live n learn.

Anyway, we'll keep a watch for those early babies!! Kitty

[mlis]

I'm actually hoping this baby ISN'T early. I really want a full term, fat, easy to feed/alert etc baby. I REALLY don't want to have it before 40 weeks, since we are no where near ready! This babe will have diapers and thats about it! :LOL

[fireflies~for~me]

Kitty, your words were actually very encouraging...Now is just not good timing But today, I literally feel like I am walking like I just got off a horse with a head between my legs~~ LIke any minute I will have bloody show and this baby is coming out!!!! Hoping at least to give us another week to get ready. HA funny how we humans are though...trying to "get ready" to have our young. Still, not good timing...my husband is in our hombeirth bed right now doing a gallbladder flush for pain.

Does bad timing like this ever really happen in real life? Hubby will be in the ER and I"ll be home having a homebirth in our construction zone house! ARG! Maybe my body will wait......

[loni1090]

With my first DS, I had strong feelings that I would go early. He was 5 weeks early and perfect. Now with this one, I have no feelings either way. So I am just hanging here and waiting.I just keep doing all my normal things. The one thing harder with this one is the SPD, so it is harder for me to work since I stand and walk around all day. I hope I am closer to my due date on one hand, and hope I am early on the other (because of the painful SPD).

[jjquilter]

Man this thread hit home...

I'm 37 weeks, just, and DH HAS to go on a trip to interview for jobs. We agreed on this weeks ago and I'm totally supportive since this is the only time he could go. But of course, I'm emotional, having BH every 5 min for the past few nights, and will be left with my 3 yr. old. At least I have some wonderful friends very close by if things get hairy.

It wouldn't be so terrible to have the baby now and I feel like my body is really ramped up and ready. Sigh. It just seems to be all about me and me only right now. As if I don't need anyone else to get through this. It doesn't help that 3 yr. olds are selfish as anything and don't understand why Mummy's get emotional or know how to deal with it except by being more demanding.

Except of course my mother who was INSISTING that -I WAIT- for her to arrive to go into labour. Isn't that the silliest thing you've ever heard? She was COMPLETELY serious about ME WAITING!!! She's supposed to arrive 5 days after my due date! (Can you hear the bubbles of emotion in me?)
As if there is ANYTHING I can do to control when labour comes...

Thanks for listening.