gastro or prelabour? poss TMI!

[SammyRo]

Since Monday, I've been having on and off stomach cramps (more the ones associated with your bowel, not contractions) and have emptied out a number of times. However, the pattern isn't really following gastro as such, and other than the cramps and going to the toilet about 3 times a day, I've no other gastro symptoms. I can eat, but that gives me mild stomach cramps too.

Anyway, does this sound like gastro or could it be pre-labour? The Midwife's not sure, although she is thinking I may go early (but has also said that this is by no means definate) as she was quite amazed to find the head was so far engaged, esp. considering this is #2 - she could basically only feel the shoulders and bottom of the neck - the rest was in.

I know even if this is pre-labour, I may still have a couple of weeks to go so I'm not getting too excited. Has anyone else had similar with the baby engaging, especially with a second baby?

ETA - I know my ticker says that I've only just gone past 36weeks - but that's going off my LMP - the scan puts me at 37weeks tomorrow.

[~Trish~]

Hmmm, it could be pre-labour. Only time will tell I guess!

All my babies have engaged early and none of them came early even though the midwives told me they would LOL!

I hope your bub isn't too far off

[Jellymaker]

Hey Sammy

If you don't feel sick, as in vomity sick, then i would say that it has to do with getting close. I find i get similar pains and have to go regularly too, but its been happening on and off for weeks so i don't think its prelabour, i would just say its another one of those fun symptoms of late pregnancy, we're either blocked up or running for the loos! LOL

I wouldnt get your hopes up but still have fingers crossed for you!

[MummaSue]

OMG, I was just about to post a similar thing!!

I've not been on the toilet as such but I had a massive vomit this morning and am feeling like my 'morning sickness' has come back and have been feeling 'off colour' for a couple of days.

Weird hey?

For you Sammy, could be pre-labour?
All the best
Sue xxx

[Alan]

Hi SammyRo
Your symptoms do suggest that birth is not too far away.

Sue
Maybe a little bad news for you, morning sickness can return late in pregnancy.

[MummaSue]

Alan, I kind of thought that was what it was.

Oh well..... not long to go now!

Thanks
Sue

[SammyRo]

Thanks everyone! Like I said I'm not getting my hopes up, and will wait patiently! Although at least its been the kick up the bum I needed to start getting the labour bag prepared!

THe only thing I'm worried about is we are off to Kadina, which is about 2hours out of Adelaide for a family thing on Saturday. Now, I've heard a couple of not so good things about the local hospital there, plus I really want my birth centre birth, so I'm a bit concerned about if I go into labour while we are up there. Part of me feels like saying we won't go, but then I'll look like a dill on Monday when I'm still pg! What do you reckon? Safe to go 2hours from where I want to labour? Esp, since this mw and my last mw with DD reckon if this one comes out normally, it will slide out quick smart

[Alan]

I would say that it is safe to go providing that there are no signs that labour is imminent. It would be unlikely, although not imposable, that you would give birth 2 hours after the first contraction. The symptoms you have now could go on for another week or so.

[Hahamama]

Hey SammyRo, did the midwife say how far engaged you were? I'm only 31 weeks and saw my OB yesterday, he wrote in my antenatal card that I'm 3/5's engaged. I'm not really sure what that means though? Is it a lot for 31 weeks? Good luck with everything!

Or maybe you could tell me, Alan? I also have a didelphys uterus, been told I could go into early labour as there isn't as much room in my uterus for the baby to go full-term.

[Alan]

Hi Erin
Babies can engage at anytime during your pregnancy, unfortunately they can also disengage. For some women their baby did not engage until they went into labour. Your doctor writing 3/5th engaged means that 3/5 of your baby’s head is below your pelvic brim. (quite well engaged).

[Hahamama]

Thanks Alan! Yes, the OB said the head was well down, but he didn't express any concern or surprise over it, so I figured it was okay! Thanks for the reply.

[SammyRo]

I would say that it is safe to go providing that there are no signs that labour is imminent. It would be unlikely, although not imposable, that you would give birth 2 hours after the first contraction. The symptoms you have now could go on for another week or so.

I was more worried about having to do 2 hours of labour in the car back to Adelaide! Ialso don't fancy taking my chances with the local hospital up there - heard some not so good stuff, so we've decided to stay in Adelaide, which DH is more than happy with as the surf is pretty good this weekend!

I wanted to query with you Alan as well something that a nurse my mum works with, who used to be a mw, but that was 5+ years ago - anyway, she seemed to remember that once the baby was engaged, they didn't recommend long car trips because of the position of the pelvis and it could be bad for the baby's circulation. SHe did say to check it out with someone currently practising. WDYT?