Early labour signs?

[DaintreeDream]

Apart from the obvious, being contractions are there any other signs to look for as a sign of labour commencing? You would think I would know this looking at my sig however I have never laboured or been close to labouring. I just have a feeling that I am not going to make it through to my scheduled CS in 4.5 weeks, I am 35 weeks today. I know that your cervix can begin dilating early and not progress however I am say 1cm maybe just over dilated, easily a fingertip and my cervix is very soft, I have no idea how to tell how far effaced I am, it is still highish, I have never had this before, I have always been hard, high and very closed.

[Arimeh]

I've always been under the impression that the more pregnancies you have, the earlier your cervix can start dilating but it doesn't mean labour is imminent?

Fwiw, I was 1cm dilated with dd1 and I never went into labour with her, not by 42 weeks anyway

[~TT40~]

i cany see your sig cause im on my phone and cant remember if you have had a vaginal birth before or not. but if you have it is normal to remain a cm or 2.
other things can be signs...even tho everyone is different, but a change in your demenour (not sure if thats the right word) can be a sign eg...a sudden burst of energy or insomnia (or extreme tiredness) basically the opposite of what you normally feel. thing is, you might not notice, the people around you might notice first.
a change in bubs movements can also happen (although you should still feel bub move just as much)
another sign...which might be tmi...but your body might do a 'clean out' that is you go to the loo alot (bowels).

[DaintreeDream]

Yeah I thought that may be the case Arimeh but since I have never laboured I wasn't sure that it would be true in my case? It isn't as if I am very far dialted anyway just the fact that it has started is different for me.

Thanks TT, I have been feeling like things are shifting, in some ways that you mentioned, I feel I have a sudden burst of energy and insomnia, I was up from 1.30am yesterday, after weeks (months?) or extreme fatigue and I just have a 'feeling'. I have never laboured, all have been elective CS for medical reasons on babys behalf.

I am wondering if it is just me feeling this way because I have so many little ones at home and if I do go into labour I have no-one to look after them within a 2.5 hour raduis, eek! Well DH obviously but if they want to rush me strait in for a CS I would have to go alone so DH could watch the kids. Murphys law is certainly not on my side lately.