Any truth in the (ahem) clear out before labour?

[Sealgirl]

Hi everyone,

I've not posted for a while, my 2 year old keeps me very busy these days, but now that I'm nearing the end of this part of my journey I've been stalking again.

Anyway I'm 39 plus 4 now but I feel like I'm 2 weeks overdue, partly because everyone predicted a march due date for me, tho how would they ever know that???? and wishful thinking, I thought I would have my baby by now! However, since yesterday morning I can't eat anything without it passing straight through. Nothing stays in my tummy for more than 5 minutes.

And last night I started getting contractions. Now I have been mixed up before between bowel cramps and early contractions I will admit, but my tummy was definately getting hard and they were 5 minutes apart for 2 hours. Then I had a slice of toast, ran to the toilet and bam they were gone, nothing since. I practically had my welcome to the world facebook status written, I was that convinced. Ha ha, jk!

I was really upset this morning that I woke up with my bowling ball tummy instead of my baby in my arms, I was certain that was it.

I can't get out the toilet today. Do you think I'm just nervous and excited, or even a bug? Or is there any truth that this clear out means labour is imminent?

Sorry if tmi!

Thanks all xxx

 

[jenny82]

I have had clearouts before my previous two labours. It definitely does matter, so fingers crossed it.means something for you!

 

[little moomin]

I've been having this for days, pooping every time i eat argh

 

[Sealgirl]

I've been having this for days, pooping every time i eat argh

Oh no really? Cos I thought it was a sign of it happening imminently, like that day! So do you think it's just one of those things that happens as your bowel is so squished then, but not really a sign of labour necessarily? X

 

[little moomin]

I don't know tbh, i don't feel sick, REALLY hungry, but pretty much for about 4 days every time i eat i need to go and poop fairly urgently within half an hour?!! Really odd and I don't think I had this with my son. I thought it was a sort of 'two hours before labour' thing and got excited but it's wearing a bit thin now!!!

 

[little moomin]

(i also wondered at first about the horrible cramps, but they go once ive been to the toilet so i guess def not contractions booooohiss)

 

[Dory85]

With my first I was having contractions ever 3 minutes before I opened my bowels and even then it wasn't the 'clear out' people talk about. I believe its contractions irritating your bowels that causes it?

 

[Sarah lo]

I definitely had a good clear out before having DD. it happened maybe 2 or 3 days before my labour started. I was in the toilet all day long!

 

[SillyMoo1983]

I had a clear out day at 39+3 and went into labour that night.

 

[MummyToAmberx]

Oh yes ive had this with previous babies but i do think it was different from 'bug' type of clear out.
Labour started within 7 days of both. good luck

 

[Sealgirl]

I definitely had a good clear out before having DD. it happened maybe 2 or 3 days before my labour started. I was in the toilet all day long!

I had a clear out day at 39+3 and went into labour that night.

Oh I so hope one of these is me! X

 

[x Zaly x]

I think there is some truth in it. I had a clear out ten mins before I went into labour. Also my sister had this with both her babies too. Good luck! Xx

 

[kirstybumx3]

I had the clear out the day before I went into full on labour. I was already in 'slow labour' x

 

[dinosaur2010]

Sorry to say I've been having this for 10 days now it's become the norm for me

 

[Sealgirl]

Sorry to say I've been having this for 10 days now it's become the norm for me

Yeah still nothing much happening here, so definately doesn't mean imminent for me anyway x

 

[little moomin]

Nothing here either sulk sulk!!! Still living in the bathroom though

 

[Sealgirl]

I think my original theory is correct, in that in the last few weeks us ladies can't really be far from the toilet because babies are squishing bladder and bowel more and more every day/week, which as baby gets to maximum size pre-birth, bowel is minimum size and therefore needs consistently emptied. So I've decided it's partially true, but definately doesn't necessarily mean baby will be born that night or anything as I was originally hoping this weekend! Damn! X

 

[Misscalais]

I had two days worth of 'clearing out' before I went into labour with my two older boys