What does prelabour feel like?

[AndiE]

Hi all,

My EDD is 8 days away, and for the past couple of days I've had the odd period cramp-type feeling which has eased off fairly quickly.

For the past few hours this afternoon the cramping has been more constant (not painful, but an achy/'draggy' type feeling) and my tummy feels tight on and off.

Is this what prelabour feels like - or at least, my body getting ready to have bub? I haven't had a show yet and waters still intact.

I'm not kidding myself that it's actual labour ... I hear tell that you KNOW when you're in labour. But just wondered if this is a sign that labour day is not too far around the corner ...

Welcome any feedback/thoughts.

Cheers, Andie

[BellyBelly]

Labour Signs - Could I Be In Early Labour?

[Jo+3]

It could be labour if your contractions are regular and getting stronger. I never had a show or waters breaking till the end when I was about to push.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hiya AndiE!
Firstly, Congrats & Good luck with the impending arrival of bub...

Secondly... i don't know how muhc i can help answer your question as i 'felt' like i was in pre-labour for weeks.

I had the period type cramps, the lower back pain, the pinching pains when bub would grind my cervix... and everytime i even hoped it was a sign it just made the time drag on for longer!

The two days before i did go into labour though, i had a lot of increased 'pressure' or weight in my upper thighs. There were occasions when it was increasingly painful to walk or have weight on my feet at all. I also had really stingy, sort of itchy nipples. Maybe all the scratching and pulling at them is what actually got labout to start, who knows!

Hopefully the time comes for you soon, looking forward to seeing a birth announcement soon!

ETA - As for early labour... the cramps were more like a wave of pain. Instead of being consistent, they were consistent, with a peak... and even the slightest i could tell.

Three people got in before me while i was writing this, lol!

[Emma1979]

i'd say if it gets progressively stronger and more painful then it may very well be labour.... but im just relating this to my own experience.

stay relaxed and positive and go with it, bubs just might be on the way, good luck!!

[AndiE]

Hi gals,

Thanks for the replies. I'm staying pretty relaxed about the whole "impending labour" (God bless you, hypnobirthing classes!). At this stage, the feeling I have is still just a vague, cramp like feeling which kind of drags across my lower tummy IYKWIM. Not getting any stronger ... it's just there.

It's more a case of "I wonder if this is my body getting ready'. When it's your first bub I think you rely heavily on advice/feedback/reassurance from people who have been there/done that. Kinda puts your mind at ease just a bit more to know that what you're feeling is just like what many others have been through.

I've actually got an Ob appt first thing in the morning, so till then I'll just go about my usual business (ie/ cooking dinner) and see what transpires. My gut feeling is that bub isn't on the way just yet, but I'm happy to be proved wrong

Cheers, Andie

[RobynG]

How exciting Andie...its getting close!! With my second pregnancy, 5 days before I was due, I had period like pain and lower back pain for a whole day and didnt think it was labour. It started around 11am. I thought nothing of it until 9pm at night when the pain was coming at regular intervals...every 15minutes. I went to bed and slept on it and was woken at 2:30am when my waters broke. Lucas arived at 3:30am...that was my experience of some mild period pain that turned into labour!! Good luck. Your body is getting ready!

[Danni K]

I'm interested in reading this thread to see peoples comments as I'm in a very similar situation. I'm due soon and am also having quite full-on period pains and lower back ache for the past few days. I've experienced lots of braxton hicks througout my pregnancy but these feel so much more intense. I was even woken with them at regular 20-30 min intervals Sat night and also early this morning and they were so painful but they lasted for up to three minutes. I wondered whether it was it but think it's just my body getting ready.

This is my second pregnancy and I am still not sure as to whether I'm in early labour or not as labour can differ so much!! I remember having some period pain with DD and I had a show two weeks then three days before she was born and then quite a bit of period pain. I'm also feeling real heaviness and having difficulty walking at the moment and bubs movements have quitenened and having regular bowel movements (sorry TMI), so all the signs are there and am thinking it's not too far away - hoping!! Have you had any other signs?

I live an hour an a half from the hospital so I want to be sure that I'm in established labour before I leave but I don't want to leave it too late! Usually we will know when it's the real thing! Contractions will usually come in regular intervals with pain intensifying.

The dr should give you some idea if you have an internal although I had one yesterday and she said my cervix was still thick and closed. This probably isn't too accurate an indicator though as I didn't start thinning or dilating until after my waters broke with DD but was in prelabour for hours beforehand. The waiting of our little one is such an exciting, unpredictable and anxious time. All the best and can't wait to hear how things work out for you! Hope you feel well and good luck!
______________________________
Me 32 DH 29
DD 3 years
EDD 23/3/08

[AndiE]

Hi gals,

According to my Ob, my cervix is still on the "longer" side but is definitely soft, bub's head is well down and I'm 1cm dilated - Ob reckons there's a 50/50pc chance I'll go in to labour before my next appt (next Wed). As she was doing my internal she said she'd have a "feel around" which may encourage things, but not sure if that meant a strip and stretch (have i got that terminology correct?) as I've never had one before.

Hmmm ... maybe I should give the house a clean today just in case .

Anyway, I'm just pleased to know things are starting to happen ... though realistically I realise I could still go several days overdue. Anyway, I'm off to an accupuncture session shortly, so might see if she's prepared to help things along a tad.

Danni K - I continued to have tightening across the tummy and period cramp type feelings on and off into the evening yesterday. Had an uninterrupted night's sleep (I've been lucky like that) and initially woke up this morning with the same period cramp type feeling. However, now it's really just the odd mild BH. Sorry to hear you've been in a bit of pain - hope you're keeping as comfortable as you can.

Guess I'll wait and see what eventuates, and I'll keep on drinking raspberry leaf tea like it's going out of fashion.

Cheers all, Andie

[Danni K]

Hi Andie, just checking to see how things are progressing for you. Are you still having any cramps or niggles? Hope you are well, very exciting, not long till you meet your precious baby! I've been still having cramps and bh have eased thankfully but nothing else is happening as yet. So exciting knowing that something can begin happening at any moment. I love the unpredictable nature of being near full term.
As to a strip and stretch procedure I'm not sure what it is either?! Am curious to find out. Take care, Danni
______________________________
Me 32 DH 29
DD 3 years
EDD 23/3/08

[AndiE]

Hi Danni K,

Thanks for your post. Still at home waiting patiently for something more to happen .

To be honest, the hubby came down with a head cold/sore throat yesterday AND we've got Brissie council elections tomorrow, so I'm wondering if bub has decided to postpone its arrival till (a) dad feels a bit better ... therefore being more help to mum in labour and (b) let mum and dad vote, therefore not copping a fine.

I'm still getting the odd period type cramp, but nothing as consistent as what I was feeling Tues afternoon. Having said that, I think I've been gradually losing my mucous plug over the past three days (sorry if that's a little TMI). I even think bub may have dropped slightly.

Anyway, being the ... ahem, "sensible" woman I am, I've spent all day cleaning inside the house and then sweeping up/cleaning around outside the house and our garage. Am now totally whacked, so here's hoping labour doesn't happen tonight ... I need a good night's sleep!!!

I read up on the strip and stretch, and I don't think that's what my Ob actually did. From what I can gather it would "feel" like she was stretching things, IYKWIM. I'm pretty sure it was a standard poke around to see what was happening with my cervix.

You're right, it's an exciting time letting nature run its course. I'm probably mad, but I'm really interested to see what labour's all about and how it unfolds for bub and I (hopefully without intervention of any kind!).

Glad to hear you're a bit more comfortable - who needs painful BH before actual labour???? You take care too and I'll let you know if there's some more "movement at the station".

Cheers, Andie