I'm 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I was just wondering, is there a "certain" way I should be feelin

Question

Because, I don't feel like a woman that's about to give birth. Will I know when I am going into labor and what does it feel like?

Also, I was wondering if sonograms done later in the pregnancy are more accurate or have a tendency to be less accurate? I went to the doctor's office and she said I was measuring big. When I went to the sonogram, the tech said that the baby was measuring two weeks ahead of my due date!?! However, my doctor said we'll just keep the original due date because of the chance of inaccuracies. Someone please help me?!?

Answer 1

Every woman's body experiences the same changes during labor - some are more subtle than others. You will know you are in labor when your contractions start to come rhythmically, and you begin to spot. There will be no denying that you are in labor when you start to feel a lot of pressure near your bladder, or on your lower back - contractions normally last 1 minute and they peak at about 30 seconds. For me, it felt like I had to go to the bathroom, I had so much pressure on my bladder and lower back. The beauty of having a baby is feeling all of these sensations and not masking them with drugs/narcotics. Labor is one day of your life, and you will get through it. Another great part is that just when you think you can't take it anymore, the labor will be almost over, and it will be time to push.

Sonograms, in my opinion are crap! I measured 7.5 pounds and had a 9 pound baby. A co-worker of mine was told she was having a 10 pound baby, but he was 7 pounds. They can be way off, and the baby will come when it is ready - it has nothing to do with counting weeks or due dates - it has everything to do with it's little "go" button being triggered and making his/her arrival into the world when he/she is done developing in the womb.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It's surreal, sometimes, isn't it? There's no right or wrong way to feel. You're a unique human being, who is to say what's "correct" for you?

You will know when you are in labor. It feels like really bad menstrual cramps. It's kind of hard to miss. The women who don't make it to the hospital are the ones who have really fast births... It's not that they were in labor for days and days and just didn't notice. Don't worry. When it's time, chances are excellent that you'll know it's time.

Sonograms done in late pregnancy are extremely inaccurate. My friend was told that her baby was 10.5 pounds, and they induced, and when he was born he was only 6.5 pounds. Don't worry. I'm measuring 2 weeks ahead, too (down from 5 weeks ahead, two weeks ago!). The baby moves and changes position, the amount of amniotic fluid changes, LOTS of things can go on in there to make you measure big. It's not an exact science, just a guess. I'm surprised your doctor sent you for a sonogram, as +/- two weeks is normal on a fundal height reading. Weird.

Anyway, relax and get some sleep, because you won't be doing that for a while once the baby's born.

Answer 3

I had to be induced because my baby was 8 days late and it took another 2 days before she finally joined us. So no I didnt feel any labor pains before I went to the hospital. After they broke my water though it hurt. I would seriously recommend pain medication if you're comfortable with that. I tend to take pain very well but the contractions I was having put me in tears and I threw up three times. It could be just because she was stuck on my pelvic bone but I've never felt pain like that in my whole life. I ended up having to have a C-section. Anyway, a lot of people go through a "nesting" period right before they have their child so that could be a sign. To answer your second question, the sooner you have a sonogram, the more accurate the due date is.

Answer 4

With my first child, my water broke at 4 in the morning.
(at 38weeks) I had no clues, no feelings , nothing that I was about to burst. It was awkward to walk far and peeing was an event all day long but as far as "feeling a certain way", I would say no.
Now, I do know that every woman is different and some ladies feel real bad but all pregnancies are different too. My second pregnancy is totally different than my first (due in May). I am in pain, I feel more "full" and I am alreay waddleing. I didnt experience this until 2 weeks before my 1st.
Just relax and prepare your bag and live as you would mornally. The months ahead will blow you away!!

Answer 5

Basically, everyone is different and every pregnancy is different. When I has pregnant with my first son, I felt great and could have gone on for several more weeks. Not the same the second time around, I was ready to be over an done with a couple of weeks before he came.

As for the due date -- the only one who really knows is the baby. He/she will come when they are good and ready regardless of what the doctor has marked down on your chart.

So try to relax and enjoy it while you can, everything appears to be progressing well. Things will happen when they are ready to happen.

Answer 6

Sonograms are often inaccurate. You will definitely know when you go into labor. Sometimes it starts of slow without pain and then gets to a point where you cant walk or talk through it. There is no mistaking real labor.

Answer 7

your baby will come when its ready and trust me you'll know. As for the feelings your main feeling is probably "I want to get this baby out!"

Answer 8

fat n fed up desperate to get it over with.i have had 3 children so i know how this feels.just relax n take it easy enjoy it while it lasts