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!!!

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!?

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! :D

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.

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.

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!

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!

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:doh:

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.:o

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

Yes...you sound exactly the same as me....Wednesday night I had only about two hours sleep because the cramping was atroscious!!! Then on Thursday I felt fine and had a great night sleep (despite toilet stops) on Thursday night...but today - the cramping is back - all up my back, thighs and period pain but not really the BHs (just a few - normal for pregnancy I would say). Bubs moved around crazily last night - so wondering whether she has disengaged too as there was a lot of movement and I am not feeling as much pressure in my pelvis! Guess I have to wait until next OB appointment on Monday to see what she is up to. Let me know how you are going!!

Well...you won't believe it - but after four days of agony and lack of sleep - bubs backed up! Thursday morning everything just stopped!!! Also all the pelvic pressure disappeared!

When I went to OB on Monday, I said I thought she had disengaged. He had a look (ultrasound) and she has indeed disengaged and turned prosterior!!!! Can't believe it!

OB said that she must not have like the contractions and decdided to get out of there! Now I am desperately trying to turn bubs...and you won't believe it but not single little niggle!!!

She has no intention of going back into my pelvis again!!!

Awww you poor thing. Sending you a heap of labour vibes. I hope bubby gets down and ready really soon for you. :hug:

oh that sucks! I've birthed 2 posterior babies now, so I feel your pain if bub doesn't turn around! Good luck with getting bub to turn and your impending labour.

Friday night bubs went crazy and kept me awake for 4 hours...the acrobatics were amazing. I am hoping she has turned - seems like she is on her side from kicks and feeling the bump! Fingers crossed...I see OB and will have US on Tuesday (wish is was sooner) but she hasn't re-engaged.