Think I may be starting early labor.. No clue....any help?

Carla - posted on 11/08/2009

What you had is called a "show". It often means that you are ready for labour. BUT not always as I was 3cm dialted 4 weeks before my baby was due & had shows for 2 weeks before I was finally induced 2 weeks early.

Annie - posted on 11/08/2009

If you're in labour, you'll know.

Karen - posted on 11/08/2009

What you saw was called bloody show - Your mucous plug dropped out. You are getting close. Sometimes it seems like it takes forever with a first baby. But be very cautious with your swelling. Call your doctor. Swelling, high blood pressure, and back pain could be a sign of toxemia. I had toxemia with 3 of my 4 pregnancies. Your doctor should test your urine for protein and if that is present then you should be induced. I wish you all the best for a healthy baby and safe delivery. Don't stress about this - that can cause toxemia also.

Ingie - posted on 11/08/2009

Be patient and don't get hung up that you are late--I was a 42-43 weeker--that is normal. After 4 kids I've learned that the worst thing you can do is concentrate on "that moment". Believe me, when you go into labor you will know. You won't miss it. Your body is practicing contracting until then. Try not to let yourself get checked too often--it introduces bacteria and often rushes along all those invasive measures to rush the baby along--like inducing and then drugs. You can stay 1-2cm for weeks. Go about your business--take walks, shop, work on the baby's room--moving around is the BEST BEST and healthiest way to move things along. Getting sexy with the husband also is a natural way to move things along (ejaculate is a natural inducer). I had a c-section with my first and then natural childbirth with the rest--my 2nd was 11lb 14 oz and the second 10lb 6oz, so BE PATIENT! Good luck. Trust your body and nature.

Emily - posted on 11/08/2009

When I went to the eye doctor like a week or two ago she said no signs of preclampsia.. unless it could just onset suddenly..



I called the L&D unit just a few minutes ago, and the nurse said I can go ahead and come up there and get monitored, just to see whats going on and make sure I'm not having contractions or if I am in actual labor and just have no clue since this is my first pregnancy.

Melissa - posted on 11/08/2009

The swelling could be preeclampsia. You need to get checked out. I had an emergency c-section, but from the few contractions I had, you will know it!
Good Luck!

SHalene - posted on 11/08/2009

yesss you are in labor:) good luck..

Leila - posted on 11/08/2009

Dear Emiliy, your back pain may very likely be contractions. If your membranes have ruptured (you're leaking fluid from your vagina) you should certainly call your doctor (or the Labor Unit) even if you don't have contractions. Good luck!!!!!

Kimberly - posted on 11/08/2009

sounds like ur in labor

Michelle - posted on 11/08/2009

another thing i'd like to add, better safe than sorry. its best to get checked out and told you aren't in labor than be in labor and the child be endangered by something happening, but even if that possibility was up in the air, they could still do a C-section.

Jenifer - posted on 11/08/2009

Definitely could be. I had the same type of gooey discharge at about that many days overdue, and didn't realize what it was at first. My water broke about 4 hours later. Hopefully it will be the same for you - good luck!

Michelle - posted on 11/08/2009

oh and I was VERY moody when going into labor without knowing it. I was snappy, not too bad, but just a little moody and I felt like I was on the edge, but didn't know why and the aches wouldn't go away. It felt tight, constricted, my back and stomach hurt and my stomach felt hard.

Michelle - posted on 11/08/2009

Sounds like you could have lost your mucus plug? Not all the time do women's water break when they are in labor. Never expect your water to break. I was in labor with my oldest daughter, without my water breaking and even for my 2nd daughter, I was induced and had a planned C-section. Though, my first delivery, I lost the mucus plug which looks like snot and gross looking (a discharge) and I was in labor 24 hours without knowing and dilated to a 3, had back and stomach pain ({non-stop that wouldn't go away) just an aching type pain and then went to dr and I was in labor without knowing it. I would go to the hospital or call your dr. It doesn't hurt to go to L&D for hospital, all they will do is hook you up to monitor and check things out and if you are, you are and if you aren't, they will take the next steps and decide whether you need to be induced or go home, etc. Good luck!

Emily - posted on 11/08/2009

thanks, I was thinking I should call up there.. or at least call my cousin-in-law she is a L&D nurse at my hospital..

Michelle - posted on 11/08/2009

Call in. The worst that can happen is you're wrong and they send you home. It sounds like you need to be induced if you're not in labor with all the swelling. There could be something else going on.

Sarah - posted on 11/08/2009

i would phone up good luck xx

Amanda - posted on 11/08/2009

I would call thy L&D if you are really swollen. It could be serious. And it sounds like you may be going into labor if you are having back pain and stomach pain. It won't hurt to go to the ER anyway. Better to be safe than sorry.