Please help rest my worry filled mind it would be much appreciated!!!?

Question

I'm 37 wks pregnant and worried as hell about a lot of things.
1. I'm getting a lot of discharge in my panty liners almost yellow in color. I've talked to my midwife and she said that I shouldn't be worried yet i read on another page that it could mean trouble for the baby... Am I just being a worry wart?

2.I've been in pain at night with a really tight feeling around my bottom half of my belly (wear he is sitting)

3. How will i know its a contraction or not? (i know that sounds dumb but it's my first pregnancy and I'm obviously nervous/anxious etc)

Also my partner thinks I'm doing to much house work but i tell him I'm just nesting... what do you think?

I thank you all in advance for answering this even though it may sound stupid, I just need to set my mind at ease.

Answer 1

If the discharge turns brown, THEN you have something to worry about because that could mean there is merconium in the placenta OR that you are losing the plug and the midwife will want to see you ASAP. Don't read so much - the books are careful to cover everything that can go wrong and often don't address what is perfectly normal. Listen to your midwife, she's done this before.

The pain is probably because of where the baby is sitting and also because of your body stretching and getting ready to deliver the little guy.

Trust me - you will know when you are having contractions. They usually start as a kind of gentle pressure - sometimes in your back and move in a bandlike fashion around to your belly. Your belly will get hard. In true labor, they will become more regular and frequent. Hurt more too (sorry, but that's the truth)

You ARE probably nesting, but you should take it easy and not do a bunch of heavy stuff.

Yup, you're right, you are just nervous and anxious, but that's okay because if you weren't THEN you would be abnormal :) Please don't hesitate to call the midwife if you have questions or concerns. That's what she's there for. Lots of people don't because they don't want to appear to be a worrywart or ignorant, but you need to remember that it's part of her job to insure your peace of mind.

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Your questions are perfectly normal...especially for a first pregnancy! :) My first advice is to calm down. The discharge is normal. As long as there is no fluid leakage or blood, then don't worry. The pain you are feeling at night, is probably either braxton hicks contractions (which can become more painful as your baby gets bigger) or it is just pressure because your baby is moving into position for birth. When the baby moves down and you start to dialate a little, the blood flow increases dramatically and you may even develop vericose veins in your vagina and your labia may become purple in color. Again...nothing to worry about.
Contractions start out feeling like cramps. They can be felt in your belly, back and legs. When they first start, you just feel uncomfortable. When they become productive like labor is actually starting...believe me...YOU WILL KNOW IT! They will be sporatic at first but will start to become more regular and very painful. Keep an eye on the clock and time how far apart they are and how long each one lasts. When they are 10 minutes apart or less...call the doctor. Unless your water breaks before that...then call your doc asap.
As far as nesting goes...also totally normal. But listen to your body. If you become fatigued or start to have some contractions...stop and rest they should go away. It helps to take a warm bath and lay down for a while. Also, if you are going into labor and you take a warm bath and rest and the contractions don't stop....that's the real thing. Your baby is considered full term at this point so there is nothing to worry about. Oh, word from the wise though...don't wear yourself out because it would suck to work your butt off and then go into labor when you are already exhausted! :)

When are you due? I am expecting a baby girl on Jan. 11th. but I am certain that she will be here early. I have been having mildly painful contractions on and off since Halloween, but most recently in the last week or so, they have been really powerful and I am dialated to 2.

Good luck and Congrats!

Answer 3

There are no stupid questions.

1. This discharge is normal, some women have it the whole time....it could be vaginal discharge, it could be your "plug" coming out. If it turns a little bloodly, don't get upset...then it IS your plug (in case yo u on't know that is mucus at the top of your cervix..as you efface ..thin out...and dilate it will come out) Call your doctor if it is a bit bloody but it is VERY common.

It could also be a mild yeast infection which pregnant women get all the time....your midwife would know. If it burns or gets itchy let her know.

2 and 3 You could be having contractions, or it could be the weight of the baby on your ligaments....you could also be dehyrated from all your house cleaning or straining muscles. Drink water and take it a bit easier. Trust me...when the contrations mean something..... YOU'LL KNOW....OH MY YOU'LL KNOW.

It is fine bto clean your house, we are not as fragile as people think,, but don't overdo and don't lift...also, I'd rest up while you can. I wished the last few weeks of my first pregnancy away...now I think WHY? Sit on the couch and read and watch dumb Lifetime movies while you can sister!!!!!

Housecleaning in reason will not hurt your baby!

I'm 34 weeks and waiting for my son (4) and husband to come down and check out the Santa booty!

Answer 4

It is normal for your discharge to increase due to hormonal changes in your body.but should not be yellow but creamy or whitish???.....Did your midwife do an internal to see if u r leaking fluid and possibly your water is broken?? Pop the question if midwife not looking into it!! Also the pain u r referring to at nite sounds like braxton hicks i.e. false labor......Did u recently your get urine tested to rule out UTI ??? Look into that as well????
It is normal to ask questions and be nervous and anxious as this is your first pregnancy!!! No questions are ever silly or dumb!!! Keep asking the right people!!! Normal to have a surge of energy shortly before labor occurs....but remember to conserve some of that energy for labor as well....resting before labor occurs is a smart thing to do. When contractions start u will experience pains like menstrual cramps or a bit stronger and u will feel your uterus contracting somewhat as well ....these contractions come and go but as things progress u will notice contractions should get more strong and they will happen closer and closer together...Once true contractions start they don't go away but they get more intense as labor progresses!!! All the best!!!

Answer 5

Congratulations.

I'd think with three weeks to go, you'd be feeling a little less than comfortable.

Your "almost" yellow discharge is probably just yeast. This is a kind of secondary way to get rid of microbes living in your vagina. Don't worry about it. The primary cleaning mechanism hasn't been operating for several months. If it isn't itchy, you're in good shape. Remember, it is warm and moist in there... perfect for growing a good collection of yeast.

Your little shaver is probably begining to "drop". He needs to get head first. Can you identify his position by feeling your uterus (from the outside, no need to get the SCUBA gear out). Perhaps your partner can feel for his head. It'll be a little tough for you to do yourself.

If you're losing vision or cursing at your baby's father, then you're probably having contractions. If not, well probably not. If you're really curious, have your partner get out a flash light and look at your cervix. If you're not dialated, you're just stretching your abdominal muscles in ways they haven't been in a while.

Take a break from the "nesting" and get some rest. You're going to need it in a few weeks. Newborns are VERY demanding. You'll not get a decent nights sleep in six or eight weeks. Why don't you just "direct" your partner in the nesting operations. I'm sure he feels helpless/useless right now anyway. Reward him with a nice "ride" in the next week or two. You're beautiful, and a nice orgasm or two will ease some of your pain and anxiety. Not to mention better living through chemistry (hormonal) will ease your delivery... we men are good for somethings.

Answer 6

If all your symptoms started within the last 2 days, I would think you are starting labor. A strong urge to clean house is natures way of getting the house ready for the rest period that follows delivering. And a yellowish to pink discharge that is very slimy will be the mucus plug that covers the cervix Tightening in the lower abdomen could be the begining of labor. Pull out a watch and start timing the tightening sensations, if they are regular in duration,such as very 30 minutes or 20 minutes,then you could be in labor. At 10 minutes you need to go to the hospital. At the very least, go get checked, you'll feel better and more at ease.

Answer 7

You're depressed. And, moreover, you're bored. Isn't there anything you simply LOVE doing? Laying on the couch might seem helpful, but it's not, if you're looking at a considerable period of time. If you feel there's nothing you can or want to do, just don't lay on the couch, take a walk, even if it takes all day. Laying on the couch and doing nothing means accepting you're being defeated by whatever's messing with your head. Stop being negative, because the way you see your life in present dictates your future. If you feel you did nothing until now, start fixing that. And if you're out of options don't do nothing while laying on the couch. There are countless books to read. Read every book you find. You'll feel a drastical change, trust me. Been there ;)

Answer 8

I had my son 2 weks ago and I had all the things you asked about. He is fine and the labor was quick and easy. The only things out of the ordinary with my baby when I delivered was he was sunny side up (face up) and he had pooped in utero. They called in a special doctor just in case but me did not end up needing him. Chance are your baby may be face up, my doctor said that explained the tightening feeling I kept complaining of or it could be nothing. And the discharge I wouldnt worry about everyone I know has had it at the end.

Answer 9

you are fine, and as normal as nesting is you do not want to overdo it. you will need all the strength and energy you can get for labor. there is no way to explain but when you go into labor you will know. right now you are having braxton hicks and possibly an infection.

Answer 10

I was worried I wouldn't know the real contractions, because I heard stories about women not knowing they are in labour. I know this will not necessarily help, but honestly, if you are in tune with your body I think you just "know". I did. I just knew it.

I wouldn't worry about the discharge, if it was in infection it would smell, hurt, and/or itch.