thread: Pre-labour, labour, baby engaged?

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    138

    Pre-labour, labour, baby engaged?

    What are your thoughts and my last couple of days??? I am 37 weeks tomorrow.

    On Saturday night, bubs squirmed and wriggled creating alien stomachs...which set off Braxtin Hicks. The BHs continued until 8pm Sunday night. They were constant!! Basically my stomach stayed hard as a rock, released a little and off it went again. It didn't hurt. During that day, the downward pressure increased markedly.

    On Monday morning the BH's started again at 9am and are still going. Not as constantly but not really with a pattern. At 3am I woke with cramping from my shoulder blades to my calves. Like really bad period pain. Now I have lower abdominal cramping, lower back and the front of my thighs are cramping - like period pain.

    Last night I felt a little off and do a bit this morning too.

    I had OB appointment at 4pm yesterday and he said that you can get 24 hours worth of BHs has baby engages. He was not concerned at all but did say if things start hurting then go to the hospital.

    What do you think? Is this just the beginning of three weeks of niggles or more?

    This is my second baby. First bubs was induced at 41+ weeks (had just engaged) and I had no cramping or niggles. I did have BHs but they would come for an hour a day, not regular in any way.

    Would love to hear your thoughts??? Do you think I should pack a bit??? As I haven't started at all!!!

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Sep 2006
    the mulberry bush
    895

    hmmm i'm not really sure, but can only tell you my recent experience... first baby came on time, no BH or niggles at all.... second baby i had TONNES of BH, and on the day i went into labour, i had constant BH two minutes apart all day, hospital said it was nothing but i knew deep down it was pre-labour as they were every 2 minutes.... started at 8am in the morning, and by 4pm they were hurting, by 7pm ish i was at hospital in full blown labour, bubs wasn't born til 5.50am next day...

    anyways i think there is always a chance it is pre-labour..... sorry i haven't been much help have i!?

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Somewhere between asleep and awake
    1,194

    Regardless of whether it's labour or not, I'd get some things together just in case. I packed at about 30 weeks with DD2 because DD1 was a month early but I had a list of things that I needed to get ready when I knew I was in labour too cos obviously I couldn't pack everything. But the last thing you want to have to stress about is whether you've packed everything when you are starting to get your real contractions.
    I got strong BH from 36 weeks onwards. I had my DD2 10 days early. If they are getting stronger or more painful, then I would just relax and see how it all goes. Once you're in labour there will be no doubt. It will get gradually more painful and regular. Unfortunately, the niggles can happen for weeks on end. I found that once I stopped wondering whether every little BH was a contraction I went into labour the next day! Good luck with it all!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    5,951

    It does sound like pre-labour, which is a great thing! It's getting your body ready. I had pre-labour for 4 weeks with DD2. I had a 6 hour labour in total, 50 minute 'active labour' (3cm-10cm including birth).
    Good luck with it all.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    QLD
    156

    Im going through it as well!! Constantly wondering whether this time is the REAL thing??
    I started getting mild BH at 36 weeks quite frequently, now they seem to be stronger but less frequent. I didnt have any BH with DS and if I can remember these pains are similar to the first ones I got when I went into labour so maybe everythings just toning up so when D day arrives things will go a bit quicker!! fingers crossed!!
    Goodluck and I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    138

    I went out shopping this morning and got toiletries etc. So have bags packed and a list of what needs to go in or for hubby to get for me later.

    BH still going and cramping but not hurting any more or less, so guess this will be the status quo for a while!

    Waiting and wondering - could be for weeks!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Feb 2010
    Australia
    10

    I had BH for a day or more earlier this week too. Didn't hurt at all, just stomach tightening and releasing. That's interesting that your OB said that it can happen when the baby engages cos I have definitely noticed my bump is sitting lower now! Hope all goes well for you!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    Airlie Beach
    156

    Wink

    Ooohhhh you are the same as me....i am nearly 37weeks. This is my second bub, first was induced at 41+1 and I had no syptoms at all with 1st she just didnt want out

    I have been getting BH for ages now and they aren't painful but they are pretty constant. Since fri however I have been feeling quite crappy and very pre-menstrual, and today I have full blown period pains requiring drugs. I do get very painful cramps a couple of times a day but put this down to muscles stretching. And baby had engaged 3/5 but apparently has come out, but it doesnt feel like it, pelvis still feels like it cracking in half.

    I would like to think this was the start, but after last time I am not getting my hopes up and am preparing for another 5weeks of niggles.........but im sending us lots of labour dust just in case.

    Good lUck
    Lis