Do all these things means that I might be going into labor soon?

Question

I'm 36 weeks. The baby has dropped considerably. Everyday his head is resting against my pelvic bone and it's terribly uncomfortable while sitting, walking, etc. I went through a pyscotic nesting phase yesterday and got EVERYTHING for him done (crib set up, clothes organized, room painted, everything ready for his delivery-Tonight I'm packing his hospital bag and mine too) And I've been getting a LOT of cramping in my lower abdomen that are period-like cramps. I FEEL like I'm ready and I know at his last appointment he weighed 6 pounds or more. Does this mean the birth is coming up soon?

Oh, yeah one more thing.....my breasts started leaking when I was about 24 weeks pregnant. At around 32 weeks they completely stopped leaking for weeks. Last night I woke up and had BOTH sides of my tank top stained TERRIBLY with milk. (more than there's ever been before)

Answer 1

well it's just probably a lot of cramping and i don't think that u should be worried but i might be wrong so ask a doctor about your cramping so he can make sure that u won't have a premature baby.

Answer 2

Like always, you could be close to labor, or you could have a couple weeks to go. The increased discharge is a hopeful sign, but even if it is the mucus plug, you could still have at least a week. Babies usually only move lower the first pregnancy, so if this is not your first, you wouldn't need to worry about that. Even in the first, it's possible that the baby can drop right before labor. Measurements are so unreliable, too. I sure would like to tell you it will be soon, but to tell you the truth, it will be easier for you to tell yourself that you've still got a while to go. Otherwise, every minute could be agony. Then if you do go into labor, it will be a nice surprise. See if you can find a book to read or project to work on to pass the time. I always crochet a blanket for my baby the last month so I have something that I can do that reminds me of the baby. Good luck.

Answer 3

Sounds very possible! Not to dismay you, but I went through the same thing at around 38 weeks, cleaned everything, packed up bags, even thought I was going into labor one night... and here I am at almost 41 weeks and still waiting. Each day the baby feels like he's dropped a little bit more. I am still amazed at that feeling. But I am not sure about the breasts... that paired with the cramping makes me think you could have your little boy at any time! Good luck.

Answer 4

Full term is seen at 37 weeks so it might be another week or a couple of weeks. I´m 38 weeks at 36 weeks my baby dropped, I started nesting and I lost my mucus plug and here I am two weeks later and still pregnant. No one knows when labor will start but just be prepared....

Congrats and Good luck, just take it easy now...

Answer 5

These are all signs you're getting closer to delivery. Another thing is you should be having slimy discharge. This means your cervix is thinning. The only thing I'd recommend is timing your contractions (the sharp pains in your abdomen and lower back) and if they are 5 min apart go to the ER. Also if you feel your bag of water break you should go in.

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

Sounds like it may be. With my first I had BAD nestign about 3 days before labor started.

Answer 8

I have three and it sounds to me like you should go ahead and pack those bags!

Answer 9

yep on your way good luck

Answer 10

Any time now!
Congrats.