38 weeks pregnant and counting… and waiting. Are signs of labor during my pregnancy starting?
It’s funny because I know that I’m 1cm dilated and 80% effaced and I keep getting my hopes up with every little sign. I’m also quite aware of the fact that dilation and effacement doesn’t necessarily mean a thing. It’s such a tease really.
I find myself looking for signs of labor approaching and then I think “Is this it?” and it never is. I need to remain calm and stop worrying. I really just don’t want to have to worry about being induced, but no sense in worrying about that now either.
I had my last pregnancy internal on Friday and I must say that I dislike having my appointment on Fridays. It was much better when I had my appointment on Wednesdays because the office was always open should I need to call about a question. With a Friday appointment I can’t just call the office. Well, I technically could call the emergency number, which pages my OB, but the key word there is emergency.
Anyways, after my internal on Friday my OB told me that I could expect a little spotting since there was a little drop of blood on her glove. No big deal, right?
Well I had spotting the whole damn weekend, accompanied with menstrual cramp feelings. I wanted to call the office, but did not deem this quite an emergency, so I refrained. Naturally I was super excited when the office re-opened yesterday and I was able to place my call to the nurse.
Wouldn’t you know that she called me back while I was in the produce section of the grocery store? Perfect location to talk blood, mucus plug, cramping, and labor, isn’t it?
Anyways, the nurse said my OB said it was nothing to worry about, most likely my cervix ripening and shedding some blood. She also said that my OB thinks it will be just a matter of time now (another tease, no?). I was told that I should not be having period-like blood, so if I do to call the office or the emergency number if the office is closed. So far, so good (as far as having no period-like blood).
So now I just sit and wait and continue to look for other…
Signs of labor during pregnancy week 38?
For example, and consider yourself fair-warned about this TMI topic coming up, pregnancy bowel movements.
Up until four days ago, I was not pooping. I swear that a week had gone by, or at least it felt like that. It could have only been a few days. Obviously I wasn’t keeping track.
But four days ago, everything started to move in my bowels and this was without changing up my diet. No diarrhea (really, I did warn you about the topic!), but not extremely “solid” either. And it’s been happening daily at least 2-3 times. This is brand-spanking new for me and I like to think that it’s a sign. Pregnancy bowel movements is not my favorite topic by far, but it’s a sign my body is preparing for labor!
I’ve read and heard numerous times that bowel movements at the end of your pregnancy is a sign that labor is soon because your body will start to cleanse that unwanted stuff before labor.
The only reason I remember that is because there were about six signs of preliminary labor and I checked off each item to Tarzan as we were watching a DVD on the signs of labor – which we will be reviewing on here within the next day or two. The only thing that I hadn’t experienced on the signs of labor list was “diarrhea”. Lovely topic.
And then things started to move, so maybe I can check that item off the list too.
Even if I can, it doesn’t really mean anything. My baby will come out when he is ready, no matter what I do to help him along the way (spicy foods, sex, walking, etc). I wish it was easier to get him to make his appearance, but I know that when he does it will be special and I will be so thankful to hold him in my arms instead of him pressing against my bladder.
All. Of. The. Time.
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I am 37 weeks and 5 days pregnant with baby #3 I have been having the cramps and braxton hicks contractions for 4 weeks now. I was last checked at the Doctor on July 22nd and was 2cm and about 75-80% effaced. I was induced with both my previous children. My first was induced 3 days before my due date and my 2nd was induced 2 days before my due date. I am looking forward to going into labor on my own this time but I have had so many complications since about 28 weeks so I doubt that will happen. They had to stop contractions twice and now I'm only gettin braxton hicks contractions. Before I began to dilate I tried walking around although, doctor says I did too much walking I believe it may have been the reason I made it to 2cm and 75-80% effaced. I went to a local festival in my town and walked around for about 5 hours. I ended up having contractions 2-5 minutes apart but they stopped them it was too soon. Now that I am 37 weeks I feel as if my daughters just about ready to make an entrance. Although, I am now having troubles dilating further as I had the same problems with my previous pregnancies. I now fear I will be induced again. I only have 3 more appointments til my due date hopefully something soon. My last appointment is on my due date and I know my doctor will induce me if she is not here by then.
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