[Error_kitten]

So today I started noticing while driving home from work my lower abdomen was feeling achy, almost like "Hmmm I think my period is coming in a few days" type feeling.
Makes me wonder if it might be early labor.
I was 50% effaced and 1cm dilated a week and a half ago.
But I haven't lost any plug yet that I've noticed do I'm not gonna get myself excited yet. I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow and I have my home visit with my MW Friday. Should be pretty interesting to see if things start progressing.
My parents said today that it looks like the baby has dropped dramatically since the past few days.
Since this is my first I'm not expecting to go early but man it would be nice...
Anyone had mild cramps as an early sign of labor?
If so how long after they started till you had your LO?

I know everyone is different but I'm still curious. heh

 

[lotus.blossom]

I'd caution you to not get your hopes up! Your body is certainly prepping but those aren't really "signs" of labor. Also as you may have seen, our dear friend jeliphish is walking around at 5cm dilated with no labor signs either!!

I've been cramping for a couple weeks now, and having random ctx but I still expect to go late!

 

[~Katie~]

I've been having those same type of pains for the last 3 weeks or so, and some pretty nasty back contractions as well. I don't think its a sign of impending labor, but I've read that the low, menstrual-like pains can be a sign of effacement/dilation. I wouldn't get your hopes up if it isn't accompanied by bloody show or loss of mucus plug, and even then it may not mean anything is going to happen soon.

With my first, I had no signs of anything. I went into labor out of the blue on my due date.

 

[Error_kitten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom I'd caution you to not get your hopes up! Your body is certainly prepping but those aren't really "signs" of labor. Also as you may have seen, our dear friend jeliphish is walking around at 5cm dilated with no labor signs either!! I've been cramping for a couple weeks now, and having random ctx but I still expect to go late!

Oh I'm not getting my hopes up. Haha especially since I'm supposed to spend the day at Disney on Sat. LOL Last thing I want to do is go into labor before then or while there!

 

[lotus.blossom]

Ooh, Disney sounds like fun! Well, actually, sounds like a lot of walking!

 

[SeekingJoy]

Crashing your DDC, but with DS, I had those "signs" for weeks and weeks.

 

[Error_kitten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom Ooh, Disney sounds like fun! Well, actually, sounds like a lot of walking!

Hah my mom is threatening to get me a motor scooter if I start cramping to much while walking.

But honesly I'll be sitting a lot because I can't go on all the rides... Though I really want to go on thunder mountain railroad, soarin, and test track really really bad. Hehehe

 

[CookAMH]

Don't get your hopes up

At least I am not trying to

My baby is dropped and I've had some period like cramps here and there but I'm ignoring them at this point lol.

 

[KBinSATX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom Ooh, Disney sounds like fun! Well, actually, sounds like a lot of walking!

No kidding! That late in the pregnancy I probably would have taken the scooter...

 

[Error_kitten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBinSATX No kidding! That late in the pregnancy I probably would have taken the scooter...

As weird as it sounds I feel so much better on the days when DH and I go some place where I have to walk a lot (like Renfest), and I don't get near as swollen as I do when I sit on my tush all day.

 

[j_p_i]

I'm right there with ya regarding the baby dropping quite a bit and the crampy, achy feeling in my lower abdomen. I didn't really think of these as early signs of labor... more of like... par for the course! I figured I was just getting to that point in pregnancy when this stuff starts happening, a few weeks before birth.

Anyway, have fun at Disney!! How cool! I do feel better on days when I am most active, though I tire so easily these days.

 

[CookAMH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Error_kitten As weird as it sounds I feel so much better on the days when DH and I go some place where I have to walk a lot (like Renfest), and I don't get near as swollen as I do when I sit on my tush all day.

I don't get as swollen...but I get SORE and stiff.

I had hoped to walk a ton once off work next week and will try...but I will go slow and easy.

 

[cmoma]

It seems to me that with your first your body tends to start things early to get things going since it often takes a long time. Then with your second or third etc It starts things early cause it knows what its doing and so it gets a head start to the whole process.

Atleast this was the case for me. I swore for days I was in labor with my first called mw 3 different times!! It didn't happen for a atleast a couple weeks. then when I finally went in I was barely a 3

With my second although I knew I wasn't "in labor" I had contractions and cramps for weeks prior to giving birth but.... by the time I went in when I really was in labor I was almost 5cm

Obviously this is not the case for everyone but it's seems to happen to a lot of women.

Oh and have fun a Disney!!