First signs of labour

[RachelLynda]

I'm coming up for 39 weeks and been having "signs of labour" back ache, period pains, need to sort out babys room (for the millionth time) etc. But no sign of my mucus plug, no sign of my waters breaking and the signs turn up for an hour or so a day then disappeared and sometimes don't come back for two/three days. How long can I expect this to go on for until I go into "actual labour" I know everyones different but are we talking days, weeks or even to the point of induction :'(

 

[LittleNikki]

Don't want to dissapoint you but I had the same at about 39 weeks was getting contractions at almost 41 weeks was convinced baby was on his way as had strong contractions for a few hours which suddenly stopped, I then made it to 42 weeks and had to be induced. But everyone and every pregnancy is different the pains could be a good sign that baby will soon be on the way, hope they don't keep you waiting like my son did xxx

 

[RachelLynda]

I was told I'd likely go early so making it to 39 weeks I'm dying of impatience
I think I'll need to be induced so I'm not TOO disappointed but was hoping this may have been the start

 

[Hippiemomlife]

I thought I was going into labour from week 37 onward lol. Lost my mucous plug at 39 weeks and 1 day and 4 days later I had bubs in my arms! I know you're impatient now but just let it happen good luck!

 

[MindUtopia]

I had nothing that I recognized as a sign of labour before I went into labour. The day before I did actually have some really heavy clear discharge all day, so much so that it started to make me feel itchy, and I was annoyed that I was getting thrush or something (and it was the first day of my maternity leave, so I thought, this is the last thing I need right now!). I went home that night, went to bed, woke up to my waters breaking at 2am and my daughter arrived 11.5 hours later. I was 37 weeks and I had absolutely no idea anything was about to happen. I never even had any BH as far as I knew my whole pregnancy! I was completely unprepared. So definitely sounds like things are starting to happen for you, but that doesn't mean it will be tomorrow obviously as sometimes our bodies can take weeks of getting ready before anything happens.

 

[_Meep_]

I didn't see my mucous plug until I was already in the hospital. My first sign was regular mild contractions that gradually got much worse!

 

[DCS]

With DS I had a bad tummy, followed by contractions. Only went to the hospital becaise I was so poorly and they were concerned because I was being sick. The next day I had DS. With DD I started getting cramps in the morning went about my day as usual taking DS swimming etc and only went in to the hospital because OH was bugging me. Got to the hospital , and I was only 3 cm got told I had to wait around because it wasn't time. She went to run me a bath because she thought I was being a wimp, came back and I was refusing to move, turns out baby's head was on its way out 12 minutes later I was holding my baby. My midwife who was meant to be looking after me, greeted us and then went on her break, by the time she got back I was laying on a bed feeding my baby.
I never saw my plug and waters went right at the last minute.
Hopefully won't be too long for you. The wait is so annoying but take the time you have to make sure you are prepared.

 

[SarahBear]

Could be days or weeks. With my first, I knew labor was around the corner when I had regular but painless contractions. They lasted 2 days before I went into "real" labor. With my second, it was one day of similar contractions that were less consistent in timing and intensity, before going into "real" labor.

Edit: Oh, and I didn't notice my mucus plug either time and water broke right before pushing both times.

 

[RachelLynda]

Thought I was going into at least early labour last night, had pains on and off, baby kept pushing downwards (lovely pains in my cervix ) and my belly kept going hard and I felt so much pressure down there, it was like I was really desperate for a wee but I'd gone twice in about 20 minutes if less and after going I clearly didn't need to wee These were on and off for about an hour maybe a little longer just before bed, thought I'd get some sleep before it got worse and I couldn't sleep. Woke up this morning.. nothing.. :'(

 

[_Meep_]

It's so frustrating at the end isn't it! Mine finally arrived at 40+6, having gone into labour at 40+5. Those last five days were especially depressing! Rest assured though you are clearly close and it WILL happen. Before the end of this month, you will surely be holding your beautiful baby.

 

[RachelLynda]

Yeah! If I'd had no signs I'd probably be less frustrated it's the starting and stopping which frustrates me haha. I really hope so! :') Got a midwife appointment today so hoping she has an opinion on atleast a estimatex time line x