How Can You Tell Your Getting Close to Labor?

Question

Im already 35 weeks pregnant. I been having little fake contractions. So, now Im actually scared to go out. Im scared that my water is going to break or something. So, what are some signs? I know they say dropping, but how do you know when you dropped. Plus, Im getting a bit more stronger pelvic pain. . Its way too confusing!

Answer 1

I have been having contractions for the past two weeks. I am 39 weeks pregnant right now. I have been having some very sharp pains in my lower back lasting around two minuites. My doctor told me that the pain in my back was from my pelvis expanding.
I think that it is different for every woman, but I think your body has a way of gearing you up for that bid day!

Answer 2

You can have achiness down low once the baby is big, and I think - based on people I know - that small-framed women may have more trouble with that achiness than larger-framed women do.

You can tell the baby dropped because all of a sudden you have extra room between the breasts and the top of the abdomen. The "whole business" just feels like it got lower and kind of more out of your way than it seemed before. They say some women can breathe more easily. I never had a breathing issues anyway.

Sometimes the water doesn't break at all, and someone has to break it once you're in labor. Sometimes it happens on its own when you're already in the hospital. "Some people I know" though, were in a restaurant when it happened; and - you know what - it wasn't a big deal with the exception of having walk through a super-cold, windy, large, parking lot in non-dry clothing.

There can be a little warning: You could think the baby kicked your bladder into doing a little something. If that happens leave wherever you are. There's a good chance that's not what the water is.

If you're in a store just leave. You don't have to announce anything, but if someone were to spot a pregnant woman with wet clothes on they'll pretty much understand.

If you're in a restaurant you can use a bunch of napkins to clean the chair and discreetly tell the server what happened and that the chair needs to be cleaned (even if you've dried it off). People in stores and restaurants are used to cleaning up spills, kids' bladder accidents, vomit, etc. It isn't a big deal.

I was one of those people who got the urge to do all kinds of cleaning the day before I went into labor. That isn't an old wives tale.

For the most part, though, you just have to go about your business (but don't go on any airplanes or long trips), and labor will let you know when its imminent. Dropping generally doesn't occur in a first pregnancy until really close to delivery.

Late pregnancy is generally uncomfortable, so just try to keep in mind that labor contractions or water breaking are pretty easy to figure out when they happen. The contractions are regular; the pain is usually very much like bad menstrual cramps with a back-ache added.

Answer 3

Did you feel a little congested before? Like the baby was way up in your ribs and you were having a hard time breathing? They say you know when you've dropped when there's been a relief in that area, when you can breathe easier. This usually happens 2-4 weeks before labor begins when the baby moves into your pelvis, which is probably why you're having this pain. He/she is also putting more pressure on ur bladder which may make u feel like u gotta pee more now.

Another way you know you're almost there is when you start "nesting." I'm 37 wks and I'm already doing that. It's like u feel like u need to clean all the time, wash the baby's clothes, get the room/nursery ready, etc.

I also know that your discharge changes, too, and the mucous plug comes out. If it's brownish or pinkish/bloody, then that could mean ur cervix is dialting more and the blood vessels may have ruptured and tinged ur vaginal mucous. For some women, they go into labor within 24 hrs of this, but for others several days.

Also, you get more and stronger Braxton Hicks and a lot of 1st trimester symptoms come back like indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, dizzyness, and tender breasts.

And for the ultimate sign that you MOST LIKELY WILL give birth in the next 24 hrs, is when your water breaks. Although, NOT ALL women will experience this naturally. But if this happens, even if you are only 1 cm dilated you WILL HAVE TO be delivered right away because w/o the amniotic fluid ur baby is more susceptible to infection and something about not getting enough oxygen w/o their water. They say it feels just like a gush of water.. unlike urine - no color or smell.

Answer 4

There's no way to tell. Everything you are experiencing sounds normal at 35 weeks and the baby doesn't always drop before you're already into active labor. Some women just get a feeling. Like when you just knew you were pregnant.

Answer 5

Only 10% of women have there water break naturally.

Just keep track of your contractions are how far apart they are. Your doctor should of advised you how many and how far apart before you go to the hospital.

Answer 6

if u start to have no appetite u should expect the baby within the week--this is ur body's way of cleaning u out so u won't poop or throw up when u give birth

Answer 7

What I experienced was a lot of pressure. Plus I had this sudden burst of energy.