Do they just *know*

**{sarah}** · April 14th, 2008, 09:04 PM

I'm starting to wonder if children & animals just *know* when something is happening. Zander has been extra cuddly yesterday & today, then my cat who usually is attached to Aaron has been following me round today & right now is trying to lick my feet LOL! So I'm wondering has anyone had an experience where they're kids or pets have been able to sense labour is near???

**Janie** · April 14th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Sarah, I can't remember what our dog was like, I was way too off the planet LOL! It's easy in hindsight to say that I was obviously about to go into labour

Hopefully someone else will remember better for you.

Not long now hun, I can't wait to hear all about your VBAC! You go girl

**Julie Doula** · April 14th, 2008, 09:12 PM

I wonder if they are sensitive to the peaking hormones??? My 2 yo dd climbed into bed next to me, snuggled up and went to sleep with her head on my boob, just like she used to when she was younger, the day before I went into labour.

**Tobily** · April 14th, 2008, 09:26 PM

I totally think they do

My cat, who we had for 10 years before the birth of our first child, was all over me like a rash for days before DD was born. She wouldn't let me out of her sight. And we all know how *ahem* "independent" cats are

**Janie** · April 14th, 2008, 09:32 PM

Man, this thread is making me excited! And how it sends you back.......I want to have that time again, to go through labour again!

**Smoke Jaguar** · April 14th, 2008, 09:46 PM

I confess, me too, Janie!
Sarah, my dog (was the only dog at the time) stayed extra close to me before labour started and was very sensitive to me when labour began - he would just be there and sidle up to me, looking into my eyes to make sure that all was normal. My goodness, I'll never forget that! Even now, when he's being painful (he's huge and takes up so much space when he's inside), I give him a pat and remember how good he is to me

Oh, my horse, too, seemed to know that I was in an altered state. I didn't see him after about 37 weeks, but up until that time he wasn't belligerent with me and was sure to walk slowly next to me instead of pulling on the leadrope. Also, I rode until about 27 weeks and he just knew - seemed to know that I didn't have the abdominal power to urge him forward, so there was never any danger of going too fast or doing anything too energetic on him (I would have pulled a ligament trying to get him to jump a log, I think!).
It's nice - I loved that feeling of being on the same, instinctual, mammalian level as my animal friends.

**Astrid** · April 14th, 2008, 09:58 PM

My cats were quite clingy during the later part of my last pregnancy and are doing the same this one. I can't recall any exact behaviour prior to labour last time, I will try to take notice this time. I can be hard to tell though, as they do get clingier as it gets colder and if they want something. I am getting worse at feeding them on time these days. Actually they do seem to want to get closer when I get those feelings that something could be starting.

DoubleK · April 14th, 2008, 10:47 PM

i think they would have a great sense..

how sweet to think that your little one has a connection with his new sister, even before they have met..

**{sarah}** · April 15th, 2008, 06:41 AM

they do get clingier as it gets colder and if they want something.

My cat is the same only not with me. I've had her for almost 15 years, but as soon as we got married & moved out (almost 7 years ago), she became Aaron's cat. He will get the cuddles & any attention she wants to give to people which is why this is so strange.

paradise lost · April 15th, 2008, 06:55 AM

Not really a prelabour story but...

When i was pregnant i walked through a little local park every day. There is a big pond there, and an inner city heron lives there. All through pregnancy he flew to the end of the pond opposite to wherever i was. I never got within 40 yards of him. On the morning i walked through in labour, with ctx every 10mins for 40secs or so, he stayed right where he was and watched me and my birth buddy waddle by, stopping to contract then waddling on. I got to within 3 feet of him. He knew i wasn't going to attack him that morning!

ETA- i feel mean saying this Sarah, but my DD was born 11 days past her EDD. Because you're having a VBAC you'll be under even MORE pressure from medical people as your due date approaches and passes than i was. I know it's almost impossible not to look for signs that the baby is coming soon, but if your little girl is anything like mine you'll be exhausted with it by the time she arrives in 5 weeks time! Retrospectively you will know when you were in labour, because you'll be holding a baby

**krisp** · April 15th, 2008, 08:30 AM

Not really a pre-labour story either but....

When I had my surgery for my breast cancer 5 years ago my cat did the most amazing thing. When I got home from hospital he would cuddle up to me and put his paw gently on my incision and then stare into my eyes. This went on for weeks until I had healed and then he was normal again. It was the most incredible thing.

**sasha** · April 15th, 2008, 12:32 PM

Kris, that's such a cool story.

Sarah, my cats were especially attentive to me while I was pregnant, and the dog got VERY protective (even bit one of our friends

) I think they really understand that something is going on. I don't remember them being particularly different just before labour, but afterwards they were so cuddly, especially the boy.

Best of luck with your VBAC!