Signs of Labor, Anyone?

SamanthaSue222

I think I may have lost my mucus plug yesterday, and I've been having more cramps since. Wondering if this party is gonna start anytime soon. Anyone else experiencing any contractions or any other labor symptoms?

tigerfish227

I've had some sporadic and mild contractions the last couple days but nothing today unfortunately. DH said we are going to attempt to get things started tonight when he gets home from work.

MollySm

I'm not due til the 20th, so nothing exciting going on here.  I lost some chunks of mucus a few weeks ago, and I have BH, but nothing that makes me think things are going anywhere this early.  It's super exciting that you guys are starting to get close though!!

SamanthaSue222

Yeah! Exciting. I'm due the 8th but thinking it is going to happen much earlier. My son was born 3 weeks early. 

Muscatmommyof4

I've been losing pieces of my plug since Wednesday as well as having contractions but because I'm only 36w my doctor and my DH are making me stay in bed but I have a feeling my LO will be within the week... 

rencontrezmoi

I had some period-like cramping earlier today that was making me a little nervous, but I chugged a bunch of water and it went away. Thankfully! I'm only 34 weeks

kristah2

@rencontrezmoi could period like cramping be a sign rhah labour is coming? 
Im a FTM. last night my cramping was unreal. It was ligament pain because I get that all the time. It just felt like the worst period cramps and stayed for a couple hours. 
My back also ached more than it usually does and I had a really loose bowel movement. 
Im 37+4 so at this point they will just deliver anyway but I'm not positive what I should be looking for to be honest. I like this thread! 

mamahazey

I'm 37+1 and I've had some cramps in my back and some contractions, but nothing consistent. I've had quite a bit of pressure the past few days and I'll be doing yet another 24 hour urine collection tomorrow. My blood pressure creeping up. I think I'll be having him next week... 

SamanthaSue222

I'm still cramping more than normal. Not sure if that's a true labor sign or not. I'm 3 days post plug loss...I think. They say the plug is less noticeable for second time moms, which I am. 

jenesiso

I am currently having period cramping at the moment. All of the the nurses and doctors here (I'm on hospital bedrest) says it's just ligament pain. Whatever. Im 34w tomorrow. They are inducing me at 35. I can't flipping wait.

arcticseal-2

I had some fun contractions last night but they didn't end up going anywhere and ended up spacing further apart and today I'm fine so...

laurenlalap

Tons and tons of cramps and contractions. 1cm dilated. Sometimes the contractions come 5-7 mins apart, but then they always go away...

SamanthaSue222

laurenlalap said:

Tons and tons of cramps and contractions. 1cm dilated. Sometimes the contractions come 5-7 mins apart, but then they always go away...

Bummer! Sounds like you're close tho! I get checked for dilation this week I think at my 37 wk appointment. Exciting!

whaat

Don't want to be a downer but you can be 1cm dilated for weeks. My OB says that this is why they don't even do internal exams until 40 weeks unless there's a reason they think you might go sooner (like you show up having regular contractions). 

mrsmoose5

Having been having lots of cramps/Braxton Hicks the last week. Last night was having timetable contractions (5-7 mins apart), but they went away. Woke up this morning & lost my mucous plug 

camcbeth

whaat said:

Don't want to be a downer but you can be 1cm dilated for weeks. My OB says that this is why they don't even do internal exams until 40 weeks unless there's a reason they think you might go sooner (like you show up having regular contractions). 

Yep, I was checked by someone who wasn't my Dr (a backup plan in case I can't deliver at my regular hospital) and the OB checked me at 36 weeks. I was 1cm dialated. That was a week and a half ago. This is my 2nd and my regular Dr said to be dialated at 1cm is very normal for STM. 

laurenlalap

whaat said:

Don't want to be a downer but you can be 1cm dilated for weeks. My OB says that this is why they don't even do internal exams until 40 weeks unless there's a reason they think you might go sooner (like you show up having regular contractions). 

sasha_2013

I haven't lost my mucous plug or any pieces I wear a pad and constantly check the toilet, but yesterday I started cramping and went to L&D and I was having contractions but I wasn't dialated so they sent me home, I have to have a c-section so this all freaks me out because I don't know when to go and I can't wait to late. My first was @35 w, via emergency c-section

kvruns

sasha_2013 said:

I haven't lost my mucous plug or any pieces I wear a pad and constantly check the toilet, but yesterday I started cramping and went to L&D and I was having contractions but I wasn't dialated so they sent me home, I have to have a c-section so this all freaks me out because I don't know when to go and I can't wait to late. My first was @35 w, via emergency c-section

my labor class said use the 5-1-1 method on when to call. You should be having consistent contractions that are 5 min apart, lasting 1 min in duration, and have this occur for 1 hour. Maybe your doctor wants you to call sooner given your past experience and planned C section but I'd figure out what that is so you know

SamanthaSue222

Similar boat here. We live about 45 min from the hospital so I'm trying to think about what our contraction timing should be for going in. 

laurenlalap

kvruns said:

sasha_2013 said:

I haven't lost my mucous plug or any pieces I wear a pad and constantly check the toilet, but yesterday I started cramping and went to L&D and I was having contractions but I wasn't dialated so they sent me home, I have to have a c-section so this all freaks me out because I don't know when to go and I can't wait to late. My first was @35 w, via emergency c-section

my labor class said use the 5-1-1 method on when to call. You should be having consistent contractions that are 5 min apart, lasting 1 min in duration, and have this occur for 1 hour. Maybe your doctor wants you to call sooner given your past experience and planned C section but I'd figure out what that is so you know

Not to scare anyone, but if I followed the 5-1-1- rule with my last son, I would have delivered at home. My contractions were 5 minutes apart, lasting only 30 seconds, but when I ignored the nurses and went to the hospital anyway, I was 6-7 c.m. dilated. 

My contractions never lasted a minute throughout my whole labour.

MrsBigTime

SamanthaSue222 said:

Similar boat here. We live about 45 min from the hospital so I'm trying to think about what our contraction timing should be for going in. 

We're 45 mins away, too, and my first labor was 12 hours. My MW said when contractions are 3 minutes apart and/or if I start throwing up. I am hoping for another med-free birth and I had a pretty great experience last time and would love to have a similar one this time, so me staying in my comfort zone as long as I safely can is key. 

kvruns

Just curious for those who are 45+ away from your hospital, is this because there aren't other hospitals nearby or you wanted to go to a specific one? Where I am there are a gazillion within a short drive, but I know my Dr said they have people drive in from 1-2 hours away vs going to their local hospitals so I was curious. I actually switched from my regular Gyn when I found out I was pregnant because the hospital (and all the Dr appointments) would be about 25 min away and I waned to go to the location closer to my house. 

leighry

@kvruns my hospital with my first was 15 minutes away and it was just the hospital my OBGYN was associated with. However my insurance then changed and I had to change providers which changed my hospital (if I went to a hospital out of 'network' I would be billed because insurance wouldn't fully cover it). So now my hospital (for 2, 3, and now 4) is 40 minutes away. Not a huge deal but just annoying for all the end of pregnancy appointments because I feel like I'm driving there sometimes twice a week.

BmcD2016

I chose a hospital with connecting dr office that is close to work, instead of being close to my home. That way I'm not missing as much work for appointments and I'm close by 5 days out of the week versus just on the weekend. Plus there is higher level care here instead of the small hospital near home. 

itsjustasetup

I don't believe I'm close or anything (although I have a feeling might be early, for some reason). I'm 36+1, FTM and had an ultrasound and internal exam (strep b test, also) yesterday. Tech said baby weighs 7.6lbs via ultrasound (I know these are not 100% accurate at all) and Doctor said baby's head is very low, he couldn't get to my cervix to check for any dilating?! It also felt like like he didn't get very far up there before he said "oh wow, there's the baby's head" Eek.
He said none of it means the baby is coming, but helps to explain why I have been hurting so much down there for the last few weeks (baby has been head down since at least my 32wk appointment).
All this has put me in "oh shit" mode to get all the things done that I've been procrastinating on...you know, like packing hospital bag and getting car seat ready haha.
Yey for almost baby time!

MrsMaryK2016

I feel so left out! I've been having BH for a while but nothing consistent or timeable at any point. Baby is still high and I still have my mucus plug. Basically no progress over here! FTM 36w4d

BmcD2016

MrsMaryK2016 said:

I feel so left out! I've been having BH for a while but nothing consistent or timeable at any point. Baby is still high and I still have my mucus plug. Basically no progress over here! FTM 36w4d

With my first and second kids I never had any signs of anything! The only sign with my first was my water breaking and then it was unmistakeable. 

SandNStarsNJ

BmcD2016 said:

MrsMaryK2016 said:

I feel so left out! I've been having BH for a while but nothing consistent or timeable at any point. Baby is still high and I still have my mucus plug. Basically no progress over here! FTM 36w4d

With my first and second kids I never had any signs of anything! The only sign with my first was my water breaking and then it was unmistakeable. 

Same here - I remember at my 39 week appointment I was told there was no sign of DD coming soon and 12 hours later I had her in my hands.

camcbeth

kvruns said:

Just curious for those who are 45+ away from your hospital, is this because there aren't other hospitals nearby or you wanted to go to a specific one? Where I am there are a gazillion within a short drive, but I know my Dr said they have people drive in from 1-2 hours away vs going to their local hospitals so I was curious. I actually switched from my regular Gyn when I found out I was pregnant because the hospital (and all the Dr appointments) would be about 25 min away and I waned to go to the location closer to my house. 

I was originally 20 minutes away and then moved. I want to keep my Dr. and now the drive will be 30-40 minutes without traffic and close to an hour with traffic. I have a kiddo whom I need to drop off at a friend house which is 40 minutes east, then 40 minutes to the hospital. Worst case I bring my child with me and go from there. We don't have family close so it's a bit stressful trying to figure out the plan. 

rspalding001

With my first I had to be induced and they had me come in for multiple NST's leading up to the induction. Every time they told me I was having contractions and I could see them on the monitor but I never felt any of them. In fact after I was induced I still felt nothing for a full day and a half until they broke my water and then finally I started to actually feel the contractions. I'm super nervous that I won't feel anything this time either until I'm well into labor and not get to the hospital in time for an epidural. That's assuming I don't need to be induced again that is. I suppose I should be grateful I don't have all the discomfort leading up to full blown labor ha ha.

PrettyPalomino

rspalding001 said:

With my first I had to be induced and they had me come in for multiple NST's leading up to the induction. Every time they told me I was having contractions and I could see them on the monitor but I never felt any of them. In fact after I was induced I still felt nothing for a full day and a half until they broke my water and then finally I started to actually feel the contractions. I'm super nervous that I won't feel anything this time either until I'm well into labor and not get to the hospital in time for an epidural. That's assuming I don't need to be induced again that is. I suppose I should be grateful I don't have all the discomfort leading up to full blown labor ha ha.

This is what I'm hoping for! Luckily the hospital is practically my neighbor, really hoping I can stay home through most of the dilation, but I am so doubtful it'll work out that way. I'm sure I'll be hurting at 0cm

OlgaN15

@kvruns We only have certain hospitals that deliver babies. So, even though there are closer hospitals, the closest ones that you can deliver a baby at are 30min away. 

Muscatmommyof4

So I'm starting to think all the contractions yesterday and last night might have done something cuz I lost the rest of my plug this morning (the bloody show) and have been more crampy and my lower back is killing me so I'm hoping I will have a baby within the next 24hrs!

SandNStarsNJ

Muscatmommyof4 said:

So I'm starting to think all the contractions yesterday and last night might have done something cuz I lost the rest of my plug this morning (the bloody show) and have been more crampy and my lower back is killing me so I'm hoping I will have a baby within the next 24hrs!

It sounds like you might! The bloody show was the last sign for me to go to the hospital - good luck!

BabyTaylor88

I could have sworn that I was leaking amniotic fluid yesterday morning (I mean clear fluid (not a ton, but more than would should be normal) dripping down my legs and onto the carpet. Dr tested it and said that it was urine, but I know urine when I see it and this was not that!

Muscatmommyof4

SandNStarsNJ said:

Muscatmommyof4 said:

So I'm starting to think all the contractions yesterday and last night might have done something cuz I lost the rest of my plug this morning (the bloody show) and have been more crampy and my lower back is killing me so I'm hoping I will have a baby within the next 24hrs!

It sounds like you might! The bloody show was the last sign for me to go to the hospital - good luck!

Thank you! Im so excited!!!

SamanthaSue222

kvruns said:

Just curious for those who are 45+ away from your hospital, is this because there aren't other hospitals nearby or you wanted to go to a specific one? Where I am there are a gazillion within a short drive, but I know my Dr said they have people drive in from 1-2 hours away vs going to their local hospitals so I was curious. I actually switched from my regular Gyn when I found out I was pregnant because the hospital (and all the Dr appointments) would be about 25 min away and I waned to go to the location closer to my house. 

For me it is because I just live that far away from town. Texas, ya'll. It's a big place! 

desoky01

Good luck @Muscatmommyof4! 

Anybody else getting scraping/pinching feelings downstairs? I have a feeling it's baby's head putting pressure on my cervix, but man can that be uncomfortable! I was having it before and then found out I was effaced and dilated, so I'm wondering if it has to do with thinning or changes in the cervix? Anybody else have experience with this? 

arcticseal-2

SamanthaSue222 said:

kvruns said:

Just curious for those who are 45+ away from your hospital, is this because there aren't other hospitals nearby or you wanted to go to a specific one? Where I am there are a gazillion within a short drive, but I know my Dr said they have people drive in from 1-2 hours away vs going to their local hospitals so I was curious. I actually switched from my regular Gyn when I found out I was pregnant because the hospital (and all the Dr appointments) would be about 25 min away and I waned to go to the location closer to my house. 

For me it is because I just live that far away from town. Texas, ya'll. It's a big place! 

My reason is similar.   Small town Canada with a small hospital that only sort of does deliveries.   Or I can drive roughly an hour to a hospital that has dedicated maternity staff, OBGYN's, etc.

MollySm

Muscatmommyof4 said:

SandNStarsNJ said:

Muscatmommyof4 said:

So I'm starting to think all the contractions yesterday and last night might have done something cuz I lost the rest of my plug this morning (the bloody show) and have been more crampy and my lower back is killing me so I'm hoping I will have a baby within the next 24hrs!

It sounds like you might! The bloody show was the last sign for me to go to the hospital - good luck!

Thank you! Im so excited!!!

Good luck!!