what were your less obvious signs of early labour?

I'm due today...

It's my first and I know that many first babies take their time coming into the world...and I know it could be another 10 days off yet...and I'm trying hard to remain patient and just enjoy these special days before our even more special day!!!

...but I was wondering...

for those of you that have had babies, what are some of the 'early' signs of labour that you experienced (apart from the obvious - contractions, membranes rupturing, mucous plug show)???

Anyone have any signs (emotional, physical or mental) that in hindsight they realise were more quirky or unusual labour signs?

Monnie, with Jack I felt restless and had the urge to go for a long walk about 4 hours before going into labour. I had no other signs at all. I went for the walk and 4 hours later pains started. I had no show or waters breaking - this was done artificially in hossy. With Tom I had been having BH that were quite painful, but I'd been having them for months so it might not have been a sign. My show happened with the contration that made me start wanting to push (when I was fully dilated), then my membranes were artificially ruptured.

This probably doesn't help you much, other than to show that it can happen suddenly without warning, so don't think that it's necessarily a long way off just because you have no signs.

I can't believe you are due already. I hope it happens soon for you and I wish you all the very best. I am so looking forward to your birth announcement. Enjoy that VD!!

a bad nights sleep the night before my waters broke

Oh Monnie, I'm so excited that it's your EDD!

In hindsight, the day I went into labour I had some pretty obvious signs. As you may or may not know, I had my baby shower in the afternoon, and my waters broke at 9pm, contractions starting at 10pm. I felt a little 'off' all day, but I assumed it was because I'd had such a big week with my foot! By afternoon I was a bit of a mess, everyone kept asking me if I was alright, apparently I was quite flushed too. I felt like I was in slow mo all afternoon, opening my presents was a real challenge, it just seemed really hard. I was also very concious of everyone looking at me, which normally I wouldn't fuss about at all! Very tired all day too.

By 6pm I just wanted to cry (for no reason) and by 7pm I was, big crocodile tears LOL! Poor Andy didn't know what to do with me. I perked up a bit about 15 minutes before my waters broke.

So yes, looking back, there were some big signs there.

The day before my waters broke I remember being in tears a couple of times (and one of those was because the midwife told me I would definitely be going overdue!).
The next day I woke up at 5am, and I had an uncomfortable feeling like a needed to do a bowel movement, but nothing happened - and this feeling lingered on and off for a while - I think it was very early (and tiny) contractions maybe? 2 hours later when I stood up my waters broke!!
And thats all I can remember...

All the best Monnie, won't be too long now hon! :hug:

Hey Monnie

I was VERY emotional...lots of crying

rather restless...couldnt sit still, and just a feeling of something about to happen (sorry to be vague)

and then I had a shower...and discovered my show...went into labor the next morning at 3am :clap: and had the most amazing birth

good luck to you lovely...its an amazing rollercoaster ride :D

xx yogababy

I kept getting up (just like normal) to go to the loo in the middle of the night, and didn't need to go and after quite a few times i couldnt get back to sleep.

The other two I was just having a bit of back ache, nothing too noticeable. And with all I had a big energy surge the few days before.

Good luck, hope all goes well xoxoxo

I LOOKED terrible, my sister looked at me and commented on how awful i looked

I couldn't eat anything, i had a terrible pregnancy with morning sickness but just before labour started i couldn't eat or drink anything if i tried. That lasted 24 hours until they gave me an antinauseas injection at the hospital

I felt violently ill before the contractions started, more so than i had the whole pregnancy

With my first, had a nesting urge to tidy the house, and I lost my mucus plug about one and a half days before going into labour, so sort of anticipated it coming. The next day my waters broke.

With my second, I had a nesting urge and rushed around tidying the house and gathering together things I needed for my hospital bag (at 27 weeks mind you), then we went away for the weekend and I had the most uncomfortable time trying to sleep at night, tossing and turning and wide awake and then my waters broke in the early hours of the morning.

Now I'm wondering what signs I will get with my third!

With the first, I was alone in a little rented flat (in Ireland) and felt the need for company, so asked dh to drop me off at a friend's farm to spend the day. First clue. Then the mother of the house ran me a bath. Second clue - her maternal instinct kicking in! Then later I got busy re-arranging their book-case (at their request) - nesting - but in someone else's nest! Third clue. Later I felt low back ache and the mother & sister of the family looked at each other and said, "that's just what you were like just before the last baby!" and gave each other 'knowing' looks. Fourth clue. However, I didn't have a clue.

I went home to bed, had contractions all night and lost the plug at 4 a.m. They were spectacularly unsuprised to be summoned to he house later that morning. Babe born 22 hours later.

Hi Monnie
I was 37 weeks and due to go out to dinner with my work friends to say good bye. But I suddenly felt like I didn't want to go and instead stayed home, cleaned out my draws and packed my hospital bag. 4 hours later my waters broke.
Also a few days before I lost 2 kgs which I later found out can be a sign of impending labour.
All the best for your birth:D

The day i went into labour with Macauley, i had been on and off the toilet all morning (diorreoah SP) my contractions started at 12pm 3 minutes apart
I also felt uncomfortable in every position, i couldn't seem to settle