I am 38 weeks pregnant, what are the signs that labor is going to come?

Question

i am 38 weeks pregnant and was wondering if there are any signs to tell you that you will be in labour soon. im getting a bit impatient and would like know. i have at the moment hardly any contractions, but i do have bowel movements, im feeling a little ill and the midwife said that the baby is nearly engaged. i also feel the menstral feeling sometimes, and it also feels a bit heavy down there, is this normal. its my 1st pregnancy so i have no clue.

Answer 1

Is there any way to predict when I'm going to go into labor?
Not really. Experts don't fully understand what triggers the onset of labor, and there's no way to predict exactly when it will start. Your body actually starts "preparing" for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near. Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:

* Your baby "drops."
If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.

* You note an uptick in Braxton Hicks contractions.
More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your cervix ripens and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.

Sometimes, as true labor draws near, Braxton Hicks contractions become relatively painful and strike as often as every ten to 20 minutes, making you wonder whether true labor has started. However, if the contractions don't get longer, stronger, and closer together and cause your cervix to dilate progressively, then what you're feeling is probably so-called "false labor."

* Your cervix starts to ripen.
In the days and weeks before delivery, Braxton Hicks may do the preliminary work of softening, thinning, and perhaps opening your cervix a bit. (If you've given birth before, your cervix is more likely to dilate a centimeter or two before labor starts — but keep in mind that even being 40 weeks pregnant with your first baby and 1 centimeter dilated is no guarantee that labor's imminent.) When you're at or near your due date, your practitioner may do a vaginal exam during your prenatal visit to see whether your cervix has started to change.

* You pass your mucus plug or notice "bloody show."
You may pass your mucus plug — the small amount of thickened mucus that's sealed your cervical canal during the last nine months — if your cervix begins to dilate as you get close to labor. The plug may come out all at once in a lump, or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with blood (which may be brown, pink, or red), which is why it's referred to as "bloody show." Having sex or a vaginal exam can also disturb your mucus plug and cause you to see some bloody discharge even when labor isn't going to start in the next few days. In either case, if you see more than a few spots of blood, be sure to call your caregiver immediately because it could be a sign of a problem.

* Your water breaks.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, the fluid leaks from your vagina. And whether it comes out in a large gush or a small trickle, you should call your doctor or midwife.

Most women start having regular contractions sometime before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When this happens, labor usually follows soon. If you don't start having contractions on your own within a certain amount of time, you'll need to be induced, since your baby will be at increased risk for infection without the amniotic sac's built-in protection against germs.

How can I tell if my labor has actually started?
It's often not possible to pinpoint exactly when "true" labor begins because early labor contractions might start out feeling like the Braxton Hicks contractions you may have been noticing for weeks. It's likely that labor is under way, however, when your contractions become increasingly longer, stronger, and closer together. They may be as far apart as every ten minutes or so in the beginning, but they won't stop or ease up no matter what you do. And in time, they'll become more painful and closer together. In some cases, though, the onset of strong, regular contractions comes with little or no warning — it's different for every woman and with every pregnancy.

When should I call my doctor or midwife?
Toward the end of your pregnancy, your practitioner should give you a clear set of guidelines for when it's time to let her know that you're having contractions and at what point she'll want you to go to the hospital or birth center. These instructions will depend on your individual situation — whether you have pregnancy complications or are otherwise considered high-risk, whether this is your first baby, and practical matters like how far you live from the hospital or birth center — and your caregiver's personal preference (some prefer an early heads-up).

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for about an hour. (You time a contraction from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one.) As a rule, if you're high-risk, she'll want to hear from you earlier in labor.

Don't be afraid to call if the signs aren't clear but you think the time may have come. Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women who aren't sure whether they're in labor and need guidance. It's part of their job. And the truth is, your practitioner can tell a lot by the tone and tenor of your voice, so verbal communication helps. She'll want to know how close together your contractions are, how long each one lasts, how strong they are (she'll note whether you can talk through a contraction), and any other symptoms you may have.

Finally, whether or not your pregnancy has been problem-free up to now, be sure to call your practitioner right away (and if you can't reach her, head for the hospital) in the following situations:
• Your water breaks or you suspect that you're leaking amniotic fluid. Tell your practitioner if it's yellow, brown, or greenish, because this signals the presence of meconium, your baby's first stool, and is sometimes a sign of fetal stress. It's also important to let her know if the fluid looks bloody.

• You notice that your baby's less active.

• You have vaginal bleeding (unless it's just bloody show — mucus with a spot or streak of blood), fever, severe headaches, vision changes, or abdominal pain.

Answer 2

There are a ton of websites that you can look at that will probably be able to give you a more accurate idea on what to look for, than people on here, because everyone's signs are different. Some people have no signs and head straight in to active labor with out warning, and some people will have a lot of signs through out the weeks before labor.

Answer 3

Since you are 38 weeks, that in itself is a sign that labor is on the way. There are no set signs. Every woman is different.

Answer 4

I got sick to my stomach and diarrhea. I will tell you you will know when you go into labor ( it will feel like a sharp pains kinda like major cramping and stretching pains) It will come and go and you will notice that you can not sit still or you will have to move to try to get comfy again, that is the when it stats and soon after it will be very painful. You will know. You will loose your mucus plug ( bloody or snotty looking usually bloody) a few days before. ( some take longer or shorter but that is the average) Everything is normal and Looking good Good Luck to you !!!!!

Answer 5

You will know for sure i am only 23 years old with 4 kids and 1 step daughter! So belive me i've been there done that of course it is different for everyone no two people are excatley alike(i'm sure you know that already)anyways your going to feel ALOT of streching and more than likely cramping mine was mostly in my back with my kids. (ITS THE WORST) also your water might not bust on its own mine never did so anyways goodluck and congrats on your new lil'one take care

Answer 6

If you are in bad pain you need to call the doctor. I never had that kind of pain. My first baby I had contractions, that's how I knew it was time, my second my water broke. You don't need to suffer go to the doctor and they can tell you what is causing this and give you some relief.

Answer 7

Well two clues:

1 - your water will break. Sploosh.

2 - you will have contractions through which you likely won't be able to smile.

Answer 8

I went through the same thing - you will know when it is time!!! I was 1 week overdo and they had to induce me.... It is just a waiting game

Answer 9

Everyday that goes by without you delivering is one more sign that it is soon to come.

Answer 10

PAIN, HONEY AND MOST TIMES WET!! YOUR WATER WILL BREAK, IT CAN BE A GUSHER OR A TRICKLE!! THE PAIN CAN BE IN YOUR BACK LOWER BELLY AND EVEN VAGINAL AREA!! I HAVE 4 KIDS, TRUST ME YOU'LL KNOW!! GOOD LUCK AND I WISH YOU A HAPPY HEALTHY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!