[cowchick530]

I know this is a little soon for some. But I am definitely going through some pre labor symptoms. The passed two days I have been losing my mucus plug. Its not all that fun. Butttt it is a sign that things are progressing. So I thought I would create a thread to talk about our labor symptoms and what not! So exciting we are all so close to meeting our babies : )

 

[happyday8598]

We've gone through 35+ weeks of waiting, and the weeks roll in and out pretty quickly (lately)... plugging right along, I've been surprised at the speed of progression. But the thought of these last 2 weeks coming up seems to be SOOOOO LONG!!

I read a funny earlier in the pregnancy. It was a cartoon with the caption... "There are an average of 30 days in a month. Except the 9th month of pregnancy, which has 5,362 days." I'm finding that accurate!

Super excited for the changes your body is showing in gearing up for the big event! Can't wait to "meet" your little one, if even only in photos!

Love, luck and light to you... And let your birth be like BUTTER!

 

[Valerie11]

It is possible to feel like you're in labor, but it's false labor. It happens to me every time about 3-4 weeks before the real deal. And I always go to the hospital. Last time was the worst, they confirmed contractions and offered me a medication to stop them, and I can't remember what I did. My husband says he remembers that I didn't take the medication, but I did hang out at the hospital for a couple of hours before the contractions finally died down. They were 5-7 minutes apart and extremely painful, but just like before, they weren't real. I would say if you are due at the beginning of February, then it's more likely to be the real thing than if you are due mid to late February. But you never know!

 

[cowchick530]

I don't "feel" like I am in labor. I just know that my body is actually preparing this time. I was induced twice with my son. So this is all new to me.. I just know that things are actually progressing this time. Its super exciting : )

 

[Valerie11]

Yes, that is definitely exciting. My first birth the water broke on its own, and although that started labor, I think it would have went differently if the water didn't break, maybe slower? The second one was a natural induction (my OB manually pried the cervix open) and it took all day long. But the third was initiated by the baby itself and went so much faster. It's so great to let your body and baby decide.

 

[sarahknavy]

My water always breaks before I dilate and I don't have any labor on my own. I am super hoping that this time I get some signs and symptoms. Only one I had before was intestinal upset.

 

[Silverbirch]

I've had prelabour for 9 days now, ever since I lost the mucus plug at 36.5 weeks. I'm nearly at 38 weeks and am pleased that baby is still inside, safe and growing.

However!! I am feeling completely worn down by the pains in my back and pelvis every day; the 6 hr marathons of strong contractions which have me ready at the door to go to hospital but which suddenly stop; the upset tummy every couple of days; and the emotional roller-coaster which has me crying at the slightest thing!

I don't know if it is all simply getting ready, or if it is because baby is back to back still and my body tries to go into labour and gives up? Or if I am somehow, subliminally stopping it when it gets more "real" because I am fearful of giving birth in a hospital and fearful that my baby will go into intensive care because he has Diwn Syndrome. I am aware I am overthinking it but pregnancy hormones and emotions and tiredness really mess with your brain!!

 

[dentonmidwife]

I've had prelabour for 9 days now, ever since I lost the mucus plug at 36.5 weeks. I'm nearly at 38 weeks and am pleased that baby is still inside, safe and growing.

However!! I am feeling completely worn down by the pains in my back and pelvis every day; the 6 hr marathons of strong contractions which have me ready at the door to go to hospital but which suddenly stop; the upset tummy every couple of days; and the emotional roller-coaster which has me crying at the slightest thing!

I don't know if it is all simply getting ready, or if it is because baby is back to back still and my body tries to go into labour and gives up? Or if I am somehow, subliminally stopping it when it gets more "real" because I am fearful of giving birth in a hospital and fearful that my baby will go into intensive care because he has Diwn Syndrome. I am aware I am overthinking it but pregnancy hormones and emotions and tiredness really mess with your brain!!

It is a very good possibility that your body is trying to get baby into a better position so that labor can start for real. I see this all the time. I totally recommend spinning babies.com and seeing a chiropractor.

 

[cowchick530]

I am aware I am overthinking it but pregnancy hormones and emotions and tiredness really mess with your brain!!

I am the same way. Although I have started to chill out.. I figure I'll know when its time. Even if I think its time every time. Haha.

 

[cagnew]

I made myself miserable with my last two pregnancies examining every symptom starting at 38 weeks. Prodromal labor makes it so hard! It felt like those last few weeks dragged on and on and every day was a disappointing eternity.

This time, I am determined to ignore everything before 40 1/2 wks (unless it's totally obvious). I am going to just embrace prodromal labor as part of the early labor process and try to be thankful for it because i know it serves a good purpose. I'll be 38 weeks on Monday and so far, so good.

I WILL NOT make myself crazy again... I WILL NOT make myself crazy...I WILL NOT make myself crazy... lol. Seriously, I felt like a rat in a cage last time! Definitely not fun for DH either.

 

[cowchick530]

I never had any sort of prelabor with my first pregnancy. So this time it's exciting to experience it. Its pretty awesome. Which sounds crazy to most. But I kind of like the anticipation.. Its not a feeling you get with any other situation. Its really unique. this is my second and last pregnancy. So I'm soaking it all in..

 

[dentonmidwife]

I never had any sort of prelabor with my first pregnancy. So this time it's exciting to experience it. Its pretty awesome. Which sounds crazy to most. But I kind of like the anticipation.. Its not a feeling you get with any other situation. Its really unique. this is my second and last pregnancy. So I'm soaking it all in..

This is my fourth pregnancy and the first that I have had noticeable contractions of any kind.

 

[happyday8598]

Contractions (which I'm enjoying for now!) have been increasing the past couple of days. Especially after a car ride.

I think I began loosing my mucus plug last night. Hard to tell, bc I've had some bloody shows every few weeks during the whole pregnancy, but... This time it seemed different. Maybe I want it to seem different.

I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow, the marker where my brain has told me it could be anytime after that... So in theory, I *could* have a baby by the weekend!! Oh, the excitement is almost too much this morning! I so look forward to that first moment of meeting him/her. I'm really hoping to not catch a glimpse of the gender for at least the first few minutes. I've been enjoying bonding with this baby as a being, and not a gender. I would love to have that same unbiased bonding for a few minutes before my brain naturally puts a gender bias on this individual (something I do, even though I'm hyper aware of it).

 

[cowchick530]

I will be 38 weeks on Thursday. And for the majority of this pregnancy I have said I don't think I will make it to my due date. Maybe it was wishful thinking. Since my son was born 10 days late and two inductions later.. But Istill think my body is making some awesome progress that iit never made my last pregnancy.

I love how you said you are enjoying bonding with the baby and not his/her gender.. I imagined for a moment what it would be llike to not know what we are having.... It seemed in complicated in my head. And easier. Well for me anyways. I'm sure all the people that have bought me stuff would be going insane haha..

 

[happyday8598]

It's driving my friends and family nuts. I think it's harder on them, too! I have to say, though, I loved the clothes we got from others with them not knowing the gender. Neutral tones with owls and ducks...

It's funny you mentioned thinking you'd be early, but without really having had it happen before. I was thinking that just a little while ago. Why did I always think I'd go around 39 weeks? My first hit 40 weeks, and my second 41. There is no reason to think my body has a tendency to deliver early. When I saw the Feb 3rd due date, I automatically changed it in my head to Jan 27th. This whole pregnancy I've been going by that as my due date! We'll see if I was picking up on some vibes in the very near future!

 

[DuchessTergie]

My typical weeks-before-birth pattern started last night: contractions every 5 minutes for 2 hours then.... Nothing. We'll see if it starts up again tonight. I like the warning.

 

[DuchessTergie]

Nothing tonight. I'm trying to sweet-talk my cervix into becoming as soft and pliable as butter. :smiley:

 

[Valerie11]

Yep, I think tonight is/was my first false labor of this pregnancy. Right on schedule at 3-4 weeks to go. I took a bath and drank some water and it's not every 5 minutes anymore and also not as strong when I do have them.

Even if I could have this baby early, I don't think I would want to. I read something about how much development goes on in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy in the baby's brain, so I would definitely want that to continue. Not that it's the same for every baby, just like not every baby is born at exactly 7 lbs. but can still be super healthy at other weights.

 

[cowchick530]

I have been having irregular but uncomfortable and a bit painful contractions since about 3pm today. They continue no matter what I do... I have an appointment tomorrow. Hopefully all this jazz has softened my cervix and dilated it a bit more.

 

[gabeyho]

I'm with @cagnew . My last two were each five days past edd, so I am decided that this will be a March baby and I will NOT start driving myself crazy in a few weeks thinking it could be any day. At just 34 weeks right now it could still be almost 8 more weeks for me, which is insane, but keeps me from going insane to know that. Meanwhile, my BH have kicked up a notch and I went into crazy cleaning nesting mode and DH said I was grouchy and tried to just stay out of the way while I was cleaning up the kids toys and play area while muttering under my breath.