Labor

Brianna - posted on 02/08/2011

Yes u r very close my babygirl was a mnth early and the whole wked b4 i had her i was feeling that same way and i never had my mucus plug leak nor was i even dialated when i first went to the hospital so just be prepared it can happen at any moment and if you were wondering if your water does break on its own it feels like you are peeing on yourself and cant stop it mine broke on its own at home

Erin - posted on 02/07/2011

When I went into labor, I think it was probably around 6 am. I woke up, wide awake. No pain...just uncomfortable like the baby was stretching non stop. So I walked around and ate something, watched TV, waited for my bf to come home. He got home at noon and I told him my stomach was hurting a bit, so we went for a walk and that made me feel better. 4 pm hit and I was staaarrving! So we walked to the store a block away, and as I was standing in line my stomach started to hurt even more, but still just cramps and uncomfortable. We walked another block to the doctor and she saw us immediately since I was 3 days away from due date. She checked and I was already 6 cm dialated. I got to the hospital at 5 pm. Got gowned up and settled into a room, my friends came to visit, no real pain or issues. 6:45 hit and I had some big contractions, they popped my water, and at 7:26 my daughter was born naturally with no pain medications. I was baffled because labor and delivery did NOT hurt nearly as much as I had worked it out in my head. Ive banged my toe on doorways and it had hurt more. I sincerely hope you have an experience like mine!

Renee - posted on 02/07/2011

I started to do the same thing a month before my due date. I was even 3cm dilated...Ended up having to be induced 6 days past my due date. (This was my 2nd baby) The pain down there is more than likely her head pushing down and starting to make room. For the last 3 weeks it felt like my pelvis was breaking apart. It hurt to walk, sit, and get out of bed. I also had a 22 mos old boy to run after at the same time. Good luck with everything and hope your delivery goes smoothly.

Kerri - posted on 02/07/2011

im the same my babies due in 11 days.getting horrible cramps and back pain its making me miserable and anxious.altho this is my second child i never experieneced labour of any variety as my daughter was born by emergency c section so every ache and pain i get excited about and question at the same time.it is also getting me down now that i have no energy,do not feel inclined to make an effort with myself and its making me sad that i havent got the patience to communicate with my 3 year old even tho she doesnt really understand whats happening to mommy.feel very alone in all this.my partner tells me every night to wake him if im awake and in pain but as he has to be at work for 5am every morning i hate to think of even waking him.im dreading the thought of having to need a c section again as i was so poorly last time and want to be able to encourage my daughter to bond with the new baby.

sorry to hijack your post but its just all come pouring out with what was meant to be a short reply.lol

Ashley - posted on 02/06/2011

Congrats on having your first. I was completely shocked when I found out I was having my first. My son was born at exactly 37 weeks to the day, and I had braxton hicks for 2 weeks before he came, the worst part tho was when my water broke on its own... cause it was like I CANT STOP PEEING!! lol :P You know Im not gonna lie vaginal births can hurt, but dont let anyone change your mind from what you want. And please dont make the same mistake I did... get more rest, cause if your not properly rested you are bound to be sick after the delivery! (lots of sex is what they told me made my son early)

Concerned(AK) - posted on 02/06/2011

Well done because technically speaking u r now term, past 37 weeks! Baby can come any time now. The Braxton Hicks increase in frequency, intensity and duration and convert to labour contractions. The whole process of getting into labour does not happen overnight but takes abt 4 weeks...

The cervix becomes soft, pliant and waterlogged and starts to dilate and move forward. As this is Ur first baby, the head should be engaged by now, except if it's breech! Ha!

I think the end is in sight, hold on tight, the D day is arriving soon. Spend more time in bed to bring it on:)

Lisa - posted on 02/06/2011

sounds like it hun just go with it, i dare say she will be out see early labour can last a few days or a few weeks ya see, but let it do its work normally the cramping will be ur cervix softening dont be scared go with the flow :) and good luck :)

Stifler's - posted on 02/05/2011

You can lose the mucous plug ages before the onset of labour though. You will know when you're in labour! Until then just rest.

Jazz - posted on 02/05/2011

you will now when ur in labour trust me. I have in active for a week and a half straight that kept starting and stopping and when i was actually in labour there was a big difference. i know u have probally heard this alot but don't rush it the ur lil girl will come when she is ready.

Nadia - posted on 02/05/2011

Sounds like your body is getting ready for the big day... don't get your hopes up though. it could still be a ways off. with my first i was walking around for a month 3cm dilated... and with my second i had braxton hicks since month 5. And the last month of my pregnancy every day i had cramping and braxton hicks all day long... i ended up being induced and my little girl was 8 days late!!! I hope it's not too much longer for you though... it's always the last couple weeks that are the hardest. Ask you're doctor about doing a sweep... it might help things along... also there are plenty of things you can do that supposedly help you along. drinking raspberry leaf tea (it tastes awful, i thought, and didn't do anything for me!), getting "intimate" with your man (with my first this actually worked... but not with my second) and going for a long walk (but don't overdo it) and i've heard that tweaking your nipples totally works, but i never tried. good luck, and i promise you it won't be much longer, even though right now it feels like forever! And i also know that you probably want to kill me for that comment, cuz i felt the same whenever someone said that to me lol! best of luck to you :)

Adrienne - posted on 02/05/2011

It sounds to me like you're getting close! I was induced but my daughter was at a -1 station for weeks! It was very awkward having something that low in that area as you're walking around! Haha I lost my mucous plug but didn't have a bloody show at all...the doctor broke my water for me also...my daughter was ready to come out but I don't think my body was! The doctor had to also basically pull my cervix forward as it was tilted making it difficult to check me...how often and far apart are the cramps? I just pretty much ignored mine because I thought these can't be contractions and I have horrible cramps with my periods so I was almost kind of used to it! But they are....if it feels like a really strong period cramp you're contracting! Good luck!! It sounds like you're pretty close but it's ultimately up to the baby!!

Carolyn - posted on 02/05/2011

labor could be near, but it might not ! hate to disappoint you !

for 4 weeks i felt like if i sneezed, i was going to drop a baby out of my pant leg. It felt like my bones were grinding on his head when i walked.

Sounds like babies head might be starting to engage, or is head down. An increase in pressure is totally normal too. are you cramping, or having braxton hicks ? braxton hicks are like baby contractions, I had them daily for about 4 weeks. ( im a freak though, dilated to 7 without actually going into labour doc just offered to pop my water and i told him to have at it LOL)

Not everyone has a bloody show, and the mucous plug can regenerate itself so you might seem like you are loosing it for ever.

maybe talk to your care giver about a stretch and sweep to see if that will progress labour but i would wait till you are about 39 weeks, since you are just over 37.

it does sound like the end is near, but no way to tell just how near it is !!