When will I go into labour?
I know it's impossible to tell when I'll go into labour. But here's the story: this is my second pregnancy. The first time around I was induced at 40+5 due to reduced fetal movements. Baby hadn't dropped or engaged or anything he was still sitting up really high.
This time baby has been engaged since 36 weeks and fixed since just before 38 weeks when I had an episode of period pains, lower back pain, nausea and diarrhoea on Tuesday. Cramps increasing in intensity until they subsided after 6 hours. I told my doctor the next day at a routine visit and she wasn't concerned but said it might all be happening soon and that baby is now fixed in my pelvis. Since then I had occasional cramping. Lots of cervical and back pain and feeling a huge heaviness in my bottom and vag area at different times.
People seem to be either telling me "you'll go really soon, he's ready, look at those symptoms" or "unless this or that happens you're still weeks away". I'm getting quite emotional about it all as I'm also getting quite exhausted from the physical symptoms and lack or opportunity to rest - which I know I the most important thing at the moment.
I guess my question is: what's you're experience? How did you feel the last few days before you went into labour naturally?
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It’s so hard and the wait can be gruelling I completely here you! I like to compare it to starting your first period you can have signs and symptoms but ultimately it comes when it’s ready and we have no control. It does however just come! I would try just focus on finding pleasure where you can atm! Getting a massage, watching a funny movie, having a nice meal, even writing a letter for you baby for when they turn 18! Trying to be more in the moment (as hard as it is) and realising everyone minute that past is closer to them coming is important. Accepting and surrendering to things we can’t control is so hard but sometimes ‘fear setting’ helps me relax ie. okay let’s explore the ‘worst’ option which might be that you don’t go into labour for other week. In the mean time it gives you more time with your first born and to prepare for this bub!
It truly does just happen when it happens. This is my 6th pregnancy (4 singles and 1 set of twins)
The only thing I can say is I lost the entirety of my mucous plug with my 1st and went into labour 2 days later. The rest of my pregnancies it just came on when I went to bed and got comfy, no serious "signs" the days before, I was uncomfortable for weeks with strong braxtons hicks, pains, cramps etc. All of them.
This one I had a very long (9hours) of false labour at 36.5 weeks 2 days after losing a fair amount of my mucous plug and I thought it was happening. Here I am 38+1 and still pregnant 🤷🏼♀️
Rest when you can and as easy as it is to say try not to work yourself up with every little niggle etc. Get some day time naps in so that you aren't exhausted if you go into labour at night when you get comfy in bed. Lots of warm baths in the dark with candles etc. You are more likely to go into labour when your body and mind is relaxed.
It will all be over soon xx hang in there.
Does it have anything to do with the weight of the baby as it descends and the flexibility of our muscles or the weakness of our muscles? I'm also wondering if opening legs and hip joints via squats and pregnancy ball helps them travel down to potentially lose our plug/water? Basically it's all weight, gravity and our tissues right?
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