how do i know if im in labor, early labor, prelabor?

mamma&angel · January 2016

Im a first time mom... Just hit 37 weeks yesterday and my baby's acting weird. She usually does little movememts and kicks (regularly but nothing to big) last night she was doing flips and laying sideways. This morning i was on the toilet for an hour (abnormal) with spotting (abnormal) runs (abnormal) discharge (normal but wanted to throw it in incase it makes a difference) and loosing my mucus plug (normalish but this time was slightly more. Wanted to throw it in incase it makes a difference.)

I took a warm shower and then a bath cuz i ran out of hot water and another shower after. Drank alot of water and finally took my prenatal. I feel alot better now but was wondering if i was in prelabor and stopped it before it happened.

If im really off please dont call me stupid, im a first time mom and its just me and my husband. Ive been pretty chill with my symptoms and i havent really freaked out about labor at all... Probably should've looked it up a few weeks, maybe months ago.

Also, p.s. what do i need to look for before going to the hospital. I am ready for my baby in all ways, just nervous about meeting her and going into labor

Winters12 · January 2016

It's pretty hard to say, but spotting can be a sure sign and I've also heard of many women who experience loose stools beforehand. I did not with my first birth though and my first signs were cramping and pain that felt very similar to period pains that crept into my lower back fairly substantially.
About 3-4 hours after the cramping began I had bloody show... Very light pink discharge that slowly became a bit darker, but no obvious "plug" as some might suggest. Everyone is different of course, so there's no sure fire way of knowing, but without pain, contractions or cramping, I'm not too sure it's true labour. It could be things starting up, as this can take a very long time with first babies. Do you have an OB or a midwife? You can always call and have them check you out.

When it's true, true labour, I promise you'll know but it's normal to over analyze all symptoms and you are technically at term so I hope for your sake this is the start for you!

destinyb12 · January 2016

A lot of early labor symptoms are also typical pregnancy symptoms:) definitely okay to be nervous this is my second and I'm more nervous then the first. When in doubt you can always go to labor &delivery! I'm one who hates the hospital so unless my water breaks OR I'm having super regular contractions back to back for hours. But it sounds like your body's just gearing up for labor which still could be a few weeks off. I lost my mucous plug at 38weeks with first pregnancy and didn't go into labor until I was 40wks5days. I'm 37weeks now and having awful morning sickness/nausea and loose stools some would say they went into labor with these symptoms others would say it still took a few weeks. The waiting game sucks but baby will be worth all the wait and freak outs

MssyMmmy · January 2016

Everyone is different. I had a lot of those symptoms for weeks before labor and the day of. something that helped me was writing down and keeping track of the frequency and intensity of symptoms. That way I could see if things were progressing or if it just felt like it. Hope your feeling better and or have a baby soon!

mamma&angel · January 2016

Thank you all. So i was having Braxton hicks and my daughter was born 3 days later on the 12th.

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