FTM & Not seeing the end in sight!

lolobellrn

I'm 38+3 and have had a relatively normal pregnancy so far. I'm not even to the point of being so over the pregnancy except I am dealing with the usual back and hip pain at night, breathless feeling at times and some episodes of cramping or lightning crotch but nothing consistent and I'm not even sure I've ever had any BH contractions.
I feel LO moving like normal most of the time so I'm not worried about her, but I'm worried I won't know what to expect when labor does start. I know that FTM tend to go past their due dates so I know I have plenty of time to go into labor on my own, but I find myself worried that I won't notice the signs of early labor.
At my weekly appointments my midwife asks if I have had any contractions etc and I haven't that I know of so we haven't done any cervical checks yet(which I'm not complaining about!!) but I'm getting discouraged that my body isn't going to know what to do!

ryan1reb

I remember feeling this way with my first as well. To be honest I'm not sure I had any noticeable contractions with her. My doc checked me at my 40 week appointment and I was a 0 dialated and 0% effaced! However my water broke the next day and I had to have pitocin to start labor. Best thing you can do is just relax and know that the baby will come out. You won't be able to "miss" true contractions, especially when they start coming in a timely fashion! Best of luck!

Ebiejay

I'm in pretty much the same position, no signs of anything. I don't think my Dr even does cervical checks since they don't really tell you anything, which I'm also totally fine with.
I've already convinced myself he's coming late which makes it easier. As another FTM I don't have any experience to go by, but our bodies are designed for this so there's no way it's not going to know what to do when the time comes. And if we miss the early signs of labour I reckon we'll still have enough time to get to the hospital once we know and it might just shorten the ordeal for us! 

mamakculb

I definitely felt this way with my first. To an extent, I feel it this time too. I had zero progress by my due date and needed cervadil to jumpstart labor last time. I just realized about a week ago with this pregnancy that what I've been feeling are contractions and not just baby movements. You'd think a STM would know what they feel like, hah! Trust me though, your body will know what to do when the time comes. Even if you don't realize immediately that you're in early labor, you'll know by the time it matters. Just think, maybe you'll have less work to do once you get to the hospital! It's crazy how these last couple weeks just drag on without end, but before you know it your sweet baby will be here. Just know we all feel this way and it's one of the joys of expecting a little one. Prayers for a happy and healthy delivery and baby