Question about pre labour

[Ginny]

Hello- first time on the site. I am nearly 38 weeks and this is my first. I am sure I am experiencing pre labour symptoms, but then again, everything little twinge or pain I am so aware of!! Does anyone out there have any idea about pre labour symptoms? Thank you :)

[xkwzit]

Hi Ginny
I well remember the endless waiting during the last weeks of both my pg - I was really eager for things to get started. Try to take it easy and have lots of naps - it is possible to bank sleep ;) .

I'm no expert, but from what I recall it is quite normal to have non-specific pains and twinges pre labour. It could be back or pelvic pain or Braxton Hicks (or the "practice") contractions. In general, if your pain comes and goes, is regular and gets stronger and more frequent and doesn't abate whe you change your position, its probably labour. Try getting up if your lying or sitting down, or lie down if your up on your feet - a change in posture will often cause Braxton Hicks contractions to stop. The only other thing to do is wait - arggh :eek: .

Cheers (and the very best of luck)

[RuthK]

Ginny

I had Braxton Hicks with both my children. With my 2nd they came every 10 minutes for 4 weeks! They were generally a little uncomfortable but toward the end, with both pregnancies, I was in hospital with false labour as they became quite painful. The good news is that the stronger and more frequent they become, the closer you will be to labour as they help to thin out and dilate the cervix.

I know you've heard it before, but you will know you're in labour. The pains do get stronger and they don't abate at all. You sometimes don't know when labour starts and BH stop though. If in doubt, don't be afraid of going into hospital to be sure. With BH they grip the whole belly in one go, last for up to a minute, then stop. With labour they start slowly, travel along the belly, peak, and then ease off (if that's any help)

If you get any mucus or a little blood on your underpants, then labour is defintiely on it's way!

Good luck

[Ginny]

Thanks so much for replying to me. I have had blood on my undies, and told my OB who sent me for montioring and scans. All looks fine, baby is down and ready to go- so I hope this means that it is going to be soonish, rather than too much later!! I guess I just want someone to say- 'it will be on thursday'!!! I am so impatient. 10 months is a long time!! :eek:

[RuthK]

Ginny

Won't be long now! I went mad too not being able to control when I'd go into labour (am currently trying for my third and am angry that I cannot control when conception takes place either).

The only thing you can do is relax, even if it kills you! Ironically, as soon as you relax your body takes advantage of your calm state and puts it into labour. Happened both times that way for me. Go for a walk, as exercise pushes things along too. Dare I say have a wine, if necessary. I found a glass of wine with my second relaxed me adequately and i had my baby the next day (questioned the doctor whether it would come out on alcohol withdrawal and she thought I was hilarious).

Let us all know the outcome!

R

[wattle]

Hi. I was induced after my waters broke, but for me the real contractions were totall different to Braxton Hicks. The real ones were much lower down and felt like really bad period pain. The BH seemed to be higher, and didn't last as long.

It's really hard though - the waiting and not knowing. Hopefully it will all happen soon, and naturally for you.

[StormAngel]

Hi

I hope everything goes well for you :)

I have four kids and each one was different except for one thing the endless waiting, the one thing i found was, relax as much as you can and enjoy the time for yourself as hard as it is to wait

:D Good luck :D
Let us know when the bub arrives :)