Do you know when your going to be in labor ahead of time?

Question

I'm still just 35 weeks pregnant, but i know it can happen at anytime now. I don't have any braxton hicks or feel anything, I really just feel great. I just feel like it's going to be forever till I give birth. So my question is, is labor something that can happen all sudden, or do you know its coming on in advance, like a week or two before?Thanks

Answer 1

It really can be a lottery.

There's no absolute set order of events or timing involved here, but your body will be preparing for delivery behind the scenes. You could go into labour suddenly or you could notice signs and symptoms accumulating over a period of weeks, it really depends on you and your baby.

Things that you MAY OR MAY NOT notice yourself as labour approaches include a change in sleeping patterns, an increased feeling of pressure in your pelvic region, a dull lower backache that won't go away if you change position, your bowel motions become looser and more frequent, your appetite decreases, you start to feel distracted and wanting to clean and organise everything in sight, and you may lose a small amount of weight (a couple of pounds). But then again you may experience none of this, or at least not notice it.

A more obvious sign that labour is on the way is "ripening" of the cervix (softening and thinning) which your doctor or midwife should be able to feel at your final-weeks prenatal visits. This could start to happen several weeks before delivery, but then again you may stay shut tight until the last minute, so whilst a positive sign, it doesn't mean that labour is necessarily imminent, or that an unchanged cervix means labour is a long time away.

The loss of your mucus plug, aka "the show" is something a lot of women look for but this isn't always reliable either, as some women lose this weeks before labour starts, and some don't lose it until the action is well underway.

If your water breaks (amniotic sac ruptures) this is one of the most obvious signs of labour and this means your baby will be delivered very soon - if it hasn't already started labour will usually start within 24 hours and if it doesn't, then the doctors/midwifes will know what to do to help. It is important that your baby is delivered sooner rather than later after your water breaks as infection can set in. Note that your water breaking may happen in a Hollywood style gush or it may leak out slowly with the baby's head acting as a plug. If you notice fluid leaking from your vagina (with or without contractions) and you aren't sure then one way to tell if it is amniotic fluid is to sit on the toilet and try and contract your muscles like you are stopping your urine flow. If the fluid is still leaking then it's probably amniotic - call your doctor.

Finally, contractions that are regular and strong enough to cause pain and not just doscomfort are a good sign that labour is either on the way or has started.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Wouldn't it be nice if you could know ahead of time! hehe With both my kids, I felt great all day, but then went into labor quite quickly in the evening, so even if you feel great, you could still go into labor at any moment. Or, you may have symptoms like backache, etc. that gradually build. Some women go into labor that way. You just never know. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 3

I didn't know till a day or so before my 2. All of a sudden I would wake up and not even feel like I had this huge growth infront of my abdomen. I had so much energy, all I wanted to do was clean and cook. I mean move the fridge and lift the couches type of clean. And Turkey dinner with all the fixens and homemade pies type of cooking. Don't worry, it'll be over soon! Get all the rest you can now. You are going to need it.

Answer 4

Well, for me, I lost my mucous plug at 35 weeks. Everyone told me not to worry, I could still go full term. But, after that I started leaking amniotic fluid, and went into labor a day later.

I think most people don't know in advance, though. But every person is different!

Answer 5

there are signs of labor coming... sometimes if you are lucky you wont feel any contractions at all until your baby's head is about there.;... with me, my first child, i didn't feel no contractions, i went in for a regular doctor check up and i was told that i was already dilated 5cm.... so i was stuck in the hospital.... i never felt braxton hicks at all..... i didn't even have a 'bloody show' or anything.... if you want you can look on the net for more info about going into labor.....good luck

Answer 6

I didn't lose my mucous plug until I had been in labor for about six hours and at the hospital for 1/2 an hour. For me, I woke up feeling "strange"...not energetic and not great...kind of 'out of sorts'...enough that I made sure I took a shower "just in case". Sure enough, that night during "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" labor started! Good luck!

Answer 7

Usually, you will lose your mucous plug a little while before your birth. After it has dislodged, birth can take place anywhere from one day to two weeks. This is the first sign of labor.

Answer 8

I have four children all were different but you will know.The tell tale sign is a old wives tale but I found it true you will get the urge to clean everything and get the baby's room perfect.I guess its a nesting thing~Good Luck and I wish you a speedy delivery...my last one start to finish was one hour long ...piece of cake lol

Answer 9

If it could be predicted, there would be no giving birth in taxis, cars, buses, stores, etc... So no. The best thing to know, is when the baby 'drops' (gets in position for birth), be ready to go at any time.

Answer 10

yes you no when your going to give birth you have major contractions and your water breaks you have a lot of pressure in your lower tummy. you can't tell nor plan weeks ahead when you are giving birth unless its a C-section. it comes as a surprise to the best of us. good luck. and congrats.