signs of early-term labor?

[TeresaZofia]

For those of you who have had early births (like 37-38 weeks)... Were there any signs that you were going to go into labor early, or did it just kind of happen?

I'm about 36 weeks right now, and the baby's head is dropped so low it's practically already in the birth canal. And I've been having tons of BH contrax. I saw the MW yesterday and she said there's no indication that this baby is going to come early, yet, I feel like he's already practically dropping out. I don't remember this with my last baby.

What do you think?

[*Aimee*]

I had no indication anything was going on and my son came at 36w exactly. I mean, that day I had diarrhea but it was caused from my contractions.

[ripcurlgirl26]

I had both of my kiddos at 37 weeks and began dilating early (before 36 weeks with both). Some indicators for me were early and frequent BH contractions - they started at 14 weeks both pregnancies, and from then on, I had them all the time. I also started losing pieces of my plug early on, around 30ish weeks, but never large chunks, and it definitely regenerated until it was time.

The last thing was I always had a feeling I'd go early. I had it the whole time with my first, which is odd considering most first time moms easily go over due.

[sapphire_chan]

Isn't dropping early common with second and subsequent babies? Just like you poof out sooner?

[Beeblebrox]

I had both of my kiddos at 37 weeks and began dilating early (before 36 weeks with both). Some indicators for me were early and frequent BH contractions - they started at 14 weeks both pregnancies, and from then on, I had them all the time. I also started losing pieces of my plug early on, around 30ish weeks, but never large chunks, and it definitely regenerated until it was time.

The last thing was I always had a feeling I'd go early. I had it the whole time with my first, which is odd considering most first time moms easily go over due.

I had my first at 38 weeks and had the "felt I was going to go early" feeling. It wasn't just some hopeful fancy either. I *knew* I was going to go before 40 weeks. Because of that I'm prepping myself for another early go. My ticker says I've got 8 weeks left, but in my head I actually say I've got 6 weeks left. The only reason I bother doing that is because I want to make sure I've got everything ready by then. Then if I go to 40+ weeks, I do.

As for this baby I'm feeling all the same things the pp mentioned. I've had BH from very early on. I've already started losing pieces of mucus plug and I can feel this baby low and twisting on my cervix. I don't know if all those things mean I'll go early, but yet again with this child....I think I am.

[TeresaZofia]

Isn't dropping early common with second and subsequent babies? Just like you poof out sooner?

I actually heard the opposite, that it's common with subsequent pregnancies to not drop until labor has started.

[Beeblebrox]

I actually heard the opposite, that it's common with subsequent pregnancies to not drop until labor has started.

My midwife told me recently that most second time moms feel like their baby practically wants to fall out of them for the last 1-2 months. I think it's going to be one of those case by case things really.

[mamatotwo]

With my second, I remember having the feeling that if I sneezed the baby would come out (if only it were that easy!!). I had that feeling for the last few weeks of the pregnancy - I ended up being 9 days "late".
HTH

[TeresaZofia]

My midwife told me recently that most second time moms feel like their baby practically wants to fall out of them for the last 1-2 months. I think it's going to be one of those case by case things really.

Well, this is certainly ringing true for me :)