3rd Trimester

What symptoms did you have days or weeks before labor began??!

Hi ladies! I know we all handle pregnancy differently and not one body is the same. But I'm just curious as to what you all might have felt weeks, days or even hours before going into full blown labor? I've been told many many things by my Dr on what I would feel. Everyone says, "you'll know". I'm scared. Probably not the first to feel this way. I'm a first time mom and am 38+1 pregnant. At my appointment last Thursday my Dr said I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. My mucous plug is coming out as well. Gross, I know. I want this baby out of me! I injured my back way before my pregnancy and have been in more excruciating pain this last month! Sciatica, lower back pain, hip pain, nausea, lose stools. Anything you can think of! I know she'll come when she and my body are ready. People have mentioned some methods to help soften the cervix and whatnot like sex, primrose oil, pineapple, curry, and nipple stimulation? Has anyone ever tried any? I'm just curious.
(Please note that I'm not here to be judged. Simply a chat to ease my nerves on what lies ahead of this 9 month adventure I've been in.) Thanks! ✌

Re: What symptoms did you have days or weeks before labor began??!

  • With my first I was just really uncomfortable. More so than normal and even laying in a hot bath didn't help. I started contractions immediately following the bath. With my second I didn't have any signs. Went to get dressed and had a strong contraction
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  • I had some Braxton Hicks that were barely noticeable (belly got hard). Then my water broke in bed one night. That's about it.
  • I never noticed BH contractions, though I'm sure I had them. I woke up at 2am with what felt like either menstrual cramps or needing to poo cramps. I went to the bathroom and noticed a lot of mucous tinged with blood when I wiped. I had irregular cramping all night but it wasn't painful enough to wake me up. When it was continuing the next morning I started timing the fintractions, and around 9 30am they were regularly about 6 minutes apart and wrapping around to my back. By 10 30am they were completely in my back (baby was sunny side up so I had excruciating back labor). I had diarrhea a few times that morning and left for the hospital at 130pm when contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. Baby was born at 1155pm.

    Until that day nothing felt different really. Just uncomfortable.
  • With my first I never noticed Braxton hicks.. I was 39w4d and had terrible back pain all day, to the point I couldn't sit or stand without constant pain... Later that night I went to pee and lost my mucus plug, it was a big ball of jelly with blood in it. 6 hours later my water broke and 5 mins after that my contractions started !
  • I'm sorry to say, for me there were no warning signs.... 
  • My water broke at 4:30 in the morning.  I never lost my mucus plug beforehand and never saw any blood until a couple hours later when I was already at the hospital.

    I had been having strong - uncomfortable but not painful - braxton hicks for 10 full days before then.  At my checkup 3 days before my water broke I was only dilated 1cm (same as 2 weeks earlier).
  • I couldn't stand the idea of being away from DH. I was supposed to have drinks with a friend the night benefits DD was born (at 36-6) but I canceled because I just wanted to go hone to him.
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