I had about an hour of what I would describe as severe menstrual-style cramps this morning which finally went away and then have periodically returned through early afternoon. No idea if these are actually contractions because they're low (not overtaking my whole belly) and I can't really tell when one ends and another begins for some of them. I'm only 37+1 and at my appointment Friday I wasn't dilated at all so I'm kind of doubting this is real labor but I guess could be the beginning? I have an appointment with a nurse practitioner tomorrow morning so I'll ask what she thinks then.
I've had the same thing and my nurse said they were probably contractions, but real labor contractions will be timeable, won't go away, and will get stronger. She said what I was experiencing was the cervix "gearing up" for labor!
I had about an hour of what I would describe as severe menstrual-style cramps this morning which finally went away and then have periodically returned through early afternoon. No idea if these are actually contractions because they're low (not overtaking my whole belly) and I can't really tell when one ends and another begins for some of them. I'm only 37+1 and at my appointment Friday I wasn't dilated at all so I'm kind of doubting this is real labor but I guess could be the beginning? I have an appointment with a nurse practitioner tomorrow morning so I'll ask what she thinks then.
I've had the same thing and my nurse said they were probably contractions, but real labor contractions will be timeable, won't go away, and will get stronger. She said what I was experiencing was the cervix "gearing up" for labor!
This. I had constant menstrual like cramps start up about 3 weeks ago, then two days later I started having very timeable and obvious contractions..started 10 min apart, worked all the way up to 2 min apart and I was freaking out because I was only 32 weeks along. Went to the hospital, they said I was having some pretty major contractions and they were very timeable, but they weren't dilating me so they sent me home and told me it was false labor and to expect to experience the menstrual cramping and occasional false labor until I deliver...and I have experienced both on the regular. Welcome to the joys of late pregnancy
Also had the cramping sensation for a few days and especially this morning on my way to work but it subsided. I surely hope it wasn't me dilating anymore. I really hate the "false labor" contractions because it's like I prep myself a give a big pep talk and within 15 minutes its like nothing ever happened. Don't like being teased!
Did anyone feel like around the time baby was dropping he/she was moving like crazy? LO has been having a dance party in my belly lately. Last Thursday he was moving all day and last night and today he's been break dancing.
So, at my appointment yesterday I was 4cm dilated, baby is engaged, and this morning I lost my MP. Surprisingly, I actually got the best sleep (which, is relative) I've had in at least two months last night. I feel as though it was the last hurrah! Despite the sleep, I'm still totally exhausted, and rather than being productive I'm already thinking about taking a nap. Hoping the end is nigh! And this baby decides to make a break before my doctor leaves for her Bahama's vacation on Sunday.
I had another 2.5 hours of cramps with a few timeable contractions thrown in last night... went to dr today and baby is low, cervix is softening but still closed. Could be any day now or a month! what fun.
@mellow13 is it just me, or do OBs seem to take a lot of vacations?
I feel like I've been focusing on the wrong field
My favorite midwife at the practice and the one I've seen more than anyone else is on vacation for 2 weeks starting this Saturday... of course the day I hit 37 weeks. I don't mind one of the others, but the other one I've only seen twice now I'm not really a fan of. She seems to blow things way out of proportion and doesn't seem to know me at all - our personalities really don't mesh... DH even said this too. Also, my doula has worked more with my favorite, she actually used to work at the birth center and was trained by her so I would think that would make for a 'smoother' labor process. So hoping baby either stays put till 40 weeks or I don't get the back-up midwife or the one I don't really like.
And not that I was trying to be mean but I did actually have them put my preference down in my file. Not that it's going to matter, but at the very least I probably won't see the one I don't like again.
This is actually the first time since I've been seeing her (several years, this is second pregnancy) that I've known of her vacationing (though I'm sure others have had to deal with it). And, to be fair, it's a trip she's had planned for more than a year to celebrate her 60th birthday, AND she was just named Chief of Staff for the OB department at the hospital. So.... I mean, I have to respect that. lol And I really do love her, she's just a phenomenal doctor. But yeah.. not exactly the best timing! If it weren't for my pre-term history I wouldn't even think anything of it. But given that I'm 37 weeks tomorrow (yay!) and all signs point to baby coming within the next week, I'd just really, REALLY like her to be the one there, not someone I've never met, who may be talented, but still.
Is there an OB convention going on somewhere?! My doc is also going to be out starting next week. I know I'm having a c-sec and it's pretty standard procedure, but I would really prefer to have my doc be the one to do it. Hoping baby either comes this week or waits until the already scheduled delivery day of May 6!
Is there an OB convention going on somewhere?! My doc is also going to be out starting next week. I know I'm having a c-sec and it's pretty standard procedure, but I would really prefer to have my doc be the one to do it. Hoping baby either comes this week or waits until the already scheduled delivery day of May 6!
I think they are all plotting together just to make us miserable, lol.
@kbrands7 I'm with you!! I feel like we just need to get this show on the road already. Maybe it's STM impatience for us? I don't know, but I'm over it.
@mello13 I just have no patience for being teased this time! Plus, it's not like a toddler cares if you're having contractions. Lol, even DH has been shrugging them off this time since they're not the real deal yet.
I wish I knew what to expect . . . I have had some pretty harsh lightning crotch pain but nothing that I would think is false labor. Sometimes my uterus tightens but I don't usually notice it unless I happen to touch the bump. I feel like I am not going to know when I actually go into labor. Baby is extremely low and my OB seemed surprised by this. She asked to do a "stretch and sweep" ( which I can only assume is the same as a membrane sweep?) at 37 weeks. Is that early to be doing that? I don't even really know what it is but the word stretch freaked me out so much I just shook my head 'no' swiftly, like some kind of weirdo.
Also, Any STMs have any input on giving birth while suffering from exterior Vaginal varicose veins and Hemorrhoids? I've had the veins for a bit and got them under control with ACV. OB put me on Iron tablets recently and it's caused some annoying constipation which has in turn given me hems and brought back my VVV. . . I hope to get rid of all this before birth but I feel concerned.
I wish I knew what to expect . . . I have had some pretty harsh lightning crotch pain but nothing that I would think is false labor. Sometimes my uterus tightens but I don't usually notice it unless I happen to touch the bump. I feel like I am not going to know when I actually go into labor. Baby is extremely low and my OB seemed surprised by this. She asked to do a "stretch and sweep" ( which I can only assume is the same as a membrane sweep?) at 37 weeks. Is that early to be doing that? I don't even really know what it is but the word stretch freaked me out so much I just shook my head 'no' swiftly, like some kind of weirdo.
Also, Any STMs have any input on giving birth while suffering from exterior Vaginal varicose veins and Hemorrhoids? I've had the veins for a bit and got them under control with ACV. OB put me on Iron tablets recently and it's caused some annoying constipation which has in turn given me hems and brought back my VVV. . . I hope to get rid of all this before birth but I feel concerned.
Don't just do a stretch and sweep without a medical good reason pretty please. Obs and even midwifes like to say it's nothing at all but it can send you down into the classic cascade of interventions! ( just happened to a friend of mine and she was devastated with the birth she ended up having!) not even sure why someone would suggest to do that so early?? That seems nuts. Before you consent to sth like that be sure to know about it and all the pros and cons. I'm not saying it's always bad but I'm saying it is some kind of intervention and should not be shrugged off as nothing.
For STMs - Outside of a big belly, pelvic pain, fatigue, and an increase in menstrual type cramp feelings (maybe 2 times during the day and a couple of times during the night), I don't really feel any closer to labor. I'm 36w2d right now, so I still have close to 4 weeks until my due date. Did you have a slow build up of labors symptoms? Did you not really feel close to giving birth outside of a few minor cramps and a date on the calendar, then all the sudden your water broke? It reminds me of the early weeks of pregnancy where I saw women talk about all of their symptoms, and I didn't have any except for fatigue. But then all day morning sickness and sore nipples hit me like a truck one day.
For STMs - Outside of a big belly, pelvic pain, fatigue, and an increase in menstrual type cramp feelings (maybe 2 times during the day and a couple of times during the night), I don't really feel any closer to labor. I'm 36w2d right now, so I still have close to 4 weeks until my due date. Did you have a slow build up of labors symptoms? Did you not really feel close to giving birth outside of a few minor cramps and a date on the calendar, then all the sudden your water broke? It reminds me of the early weeks of pregnancy where I saw women talk about all of their symptoms, and I didn't have any except for fatigue. But then all day morning sickness and sore nipples hit me like a truck one day.
Honestly, I went into labor on a night I felt less likely to go into labor. Although I lost my MP that night and 6 hours later my water broke. However, I didn't have contractions as often as I had been (weirdly), I didn't feel a lot of pressure, I didn't feel over tired, etc. It came when I least expected it really.
Been married since 2009. Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter) Several MCs DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
@Kurrant As for the hems and varicose vaginal issues, the truth is (and I'm SURE you don't want to hear this) there isn't much to do because the weight and pressure is what is causing them. Stool softeners will help (non-stimulant only) to counter the straining and constipation caused by the iron, which is nice regardless. The secret that many people don't mention, is that even if you make all the way to L&D without a hemorrhoid or varicose issue, you will likely leave with them because of all the pushing and straining necessary to have a baby. The difference is, everything is already so swollen and sore you really don't even know (and do NOT take a mirror to that area, at least for a while!). I promise though, you are not alone.
@mumbolino Thanks for the reads and the input. I'm actually nervous now . . . My OB is a bit of a bully. Every time I question anything she laughs in a "You know nothing" sort of way and then smiles as if she is just humoring me or something. Its very frustrating. When she suggested the sweep in the first place she said something along the lines of "Would you like me to do a stretch and sweep this week or would you prefer to wait till next week" as if it wasn't a question of if I wanted one but when she would do it. My appointment is tomorrow. I need to grow a backbone with this woman before then . . .
@Kurrant I certainly don't want to make you nervous. The opposite! Read up on the topic. ask her why she wants to do it. If you're 42 weeks and there is no sign of labour starting that's a different story! You are nowhere near that... I'm just pissed off when I hear something like that cause a good friend of mine got bullied into one by her doc and one thing led to the next... She is so upset and wishes she could turn back time and just wait for baby to be ready on her own. She was 40 weeks when the pressure started. Abd the horrible thing is: there's probably nobody more scared and vulnerable than a pregnant lady. So it's easy to bully them into procedures they might not need at all. Can you perhaps bring someone with you (I'm guessing you can't change your doc) to support you?
@missnc77 for me I had no build up whatsoever. I never had Braxton hicks contractions or anything. The day I went into labor I had felt nothing different. Then the contractions started fast and strong right away. I thought they were my first Braxton hicks and boy was I wrong! 12 hours from the first contraction my daughter was born
@missnc77 I had zero build up until the day before. I had false labor all night, close enough that I went to the hospital but wasn't dialated enough to be admitted. Went home and took a nap, sure enough 4 hours later my water broke and by the time I got to the hospital was 6cm from maybe 1cm that morning.
I'm so happy to see people saying they didn't get BH contractions much, every week I read it's supposed to be happening a bit .... And I haven't felt anything and I'm 34+2 so I freak out a little. Granted I currently have a breech baby and a planned c section but I'm not accepting that fate until it's time to get to the hospital. I keep asking her to flip. I'm not a good candidate for a version as I have scar tissue from prior surgeries(septate) so I'm just hoping she does it on her own.
For STMs - Outside of a big belly, pelvic pain, fatigue, and an increase in menstrual type cramp feelings (maybe 2 times during the day and a couple of times during the night), I don't really feel any closer to labor. I'm 36w2d right now, so I still have close to 4 weeks until my due date. Did you have a slow build up of labors symptoms? Did you not really feel close to giving birth outside of a few minor cramps and a date on the calendar, then all the sudden your water broke? It reminds me of the early weeks of pregnancy where I saw women talk about all of their symptoms, and I didn't have any except for fatigue. But then all day morning sickness and sore nipples hit me like a truck one day.
I didn't have any symptoms of true labor until I was in labor, and then I didn't even know I was in labor until my contractions were 4 minutes apart (back labor). You never really know until it's just there.
Re: 3rd Tri/Labor Impending Symptoms **Updated**
I feel like I've been focusing on the wrong field
Mine is on vacation next week for two weeks!! and this is his SECOND vacation.
And not that I was trying to be mean but I did actually have them put my preference down in my file. Not that it's going to matter, but at the very least I probably won't see the one I don't like again.
Also, Any STMs have any input on giving birth while suffering from exterior Vaginal varicose veins and Hemorrhoids? I've had the veins for a bit and got them under control with ACV. OB put me on Iron tablets recently and it's caused some annoying constipation which has in turn given me hems and brought back my VVV. . . I hope to get rid of all this before birth but I feel concerned.
https://midwifethinking.com/2010/09/16/induction-of-labour-balancing-risks/
https://m.facebook.com/positivebirthmovement/posts/521899457918255
Been married since 2009.
Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
Several MCs
DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
Been married since 2009.
Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
Several MCs
DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
Abd the horrible thing is: there's probably nobody more scared and vulnerable than a pregnant lady. So it's easy to bully them into procedures they might not need at all. Can you perhaps bring someone with you (I'm guessing you can't change your doc) to support you?
Edited to add link
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/induction-of-labour-to-induce-or-not-induce/
Btw: nowhere can I see anything to suggest this procedure is offered so early like in your case. I really wonder what her reasoning is.