what are the signs of labor? (39 weeks pregnant)?

Question

I'm 39 weeks pregnant. It feels like I will never give birth! Will I get little signs before labor starts or will it hit me at once? The baby seems to be moving a bit less and I have had BH's with some lower back pain at night but nothing big.

Answer 1

My son came 5 days early, so I was also at 39 weeks. I was cramping all night. After I woke up, everything was fine until about 2 hours later. It felt like I needed to make a bowel movement! Called the hospital and I had him 3 hours later.

Answer 2

Pregnancy Week 39 Signs Of Labor

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

With every person it is different but at 39 weeks I would be edgy too. Contractions feel like a strong tightning of your lower abdominal/pelvis area. The slowly come on and then slowly subside. What you want to keep track of is the the length of and regularity of the contractions. If the start coming at regular intervals you need to call the doctor. It does sound like the little one is getting ready because they usually do slow down when it gets closer. I alot of people say they start getting a lot of energy when it gets closer but that may be just an old wives tail. If all else fails and you have concerns, call your doctor's office, that is what they are there for.

Answer 5

You are already getting some little signs. Your baby is moving a little less, getting ready for the big trip. Sometimes "Braxton Hicks" contractions with back pain can actual be dilating your cervix, but a little bit at a time and can go on for days. The signs of active labor do not usually just happen. You may first lose your mucous plug, and or have your water trickle or break. (This doesn't always happen before contractions, but if you start losing water, call your health provider). Active labor contractions, start at irregular intervals; every 10 min., 3min, 5 min., 10min, etc. Then they become regular; every 10 min. for one hour or every 5 min. for one hour. When they are regular call your health provider. Good luck!

Answer 6

At first I thought I had indigestion from the Mexican food the night before. Gradually minor pains started with a slight building intensity and frequency over the hours. I had what felt like an almost urgent need to use the bathroom with the lovely frustrating dribble that we get and no relief. I think these symptoms started in the wee hours of the morning. By 6am I woke my husband up a bit ungentle-ly. By 11:30 we were on the way to the hospital. Baby born 3:05pm. God bless you and good luck! I wish you a smooth labor when it comes.

Answer 7

Aww, you poor thing. It really drags at the end. The thing is, there's just no telling. I went into labor on my due date. I had bloody show and the contractions started an hour or two later. They were strong and 5 minutes apart almost immediately but it took another 24 hours for my son to show up. Good luck annd hang in there.

Answer 8

it can be cramping in the lower part of your stomach or you can have labor pains in your back. usually you get a burst of energy a couple of days before. sometimes you don't though. but don't worry its gradual and the contractions get closer together and intensify. usually a first pregnancy can go either 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late. but you will know the signs when it comes on.

Answer 9

Baby moving less is a call your dr. thing. It could be (just could) that your placenta is deteriorating, because the job's almost done, and baby isn't getting what he needs to be happy and active. Or it could just mean that there's no more room to move around in there. Either way, call the dr.

Debbie
Not an expert

Answer 10

Actual labor should start with some contractions, Not the braxtons, they will be stronger and much more intense.. it will then quickly move into back pain, and more steady contractions...you may also start feeling a very heavy pressure...a lot of women think, how am I supose to know when labor begins....but you have to trust in the fact that when it does..you will Not miss it!