I know all the *normal* symptoms of labor starting (mucous plug, lightening/dropping/engaging, nesting, increased braxton hicks...)

BUT, what were YOUR early signs that labor was starting?

Umm

Umm

Well, gee, um

Have you read my birth stories?

LOL

I go from nothing to 'this is it' in a snap! There really isn't much 'early' or 'is this it?' stuff.

I have spurts of nesting throughout pregnancy. Not necessarily related or reserved to the end.
Each pregnancy has been different as far as BH goes as well. With some I have had absolutely none. Others, I had pretty 'good' ones fo the last two months. And others have experienced BH or some kind of tightening from rather early on. Not necessarily increasing near the end.

I do not lose my plug nor does my water break until I am IN labor, pushing.

I have experienced *some* degree of lightening, with some. But I think even that has varied greatly in how close it was to labor actually starting.

Clear as mud eh?

Yeah. I'm just 'here' then 'labor' then 'baby' *shrug*

No 'signs' with my first except that two weeks before I delivered I lost my mucos plug (had NO idea what it was, freaked out! LOL) and the week I delivered, all of the sudden my crotch/pelvis felt like it was at my knees and ached soooo bad....I had no idea I was even in labor until my reg. checkup that Friday a month before I was due at 36 weeks and they sent me on up and said that explained why I felt so bad the last 72 hours! LOL, I was at a 4, locked and 100% effaced when they checked! With my second, braxtons went on for several months for me....the last month I had 3, 12 hour stretches of strong "practice" contractions, which typically hit at night with my second....
With my second I walked around 4cm dilated and 85% effaced for the last four weeks and delivered at 38.5 weeks....

The only thing for me was the norm. Loss of mucus plug and having contraction at night a week before my water actually broke and went into labor.

I had none. but then again I kick started my own labor by taking mineral oil. Abby never dropped and my back never broke on its own. I still don't know what a mucus plug looks like. (not that i want to see)

I just got completely uncomfortable the night my water broke... my mom took one look at me the night my water was going to break and said, "I think I need to sleep here tonight so I can take care of the kids for you while you're at the hospital." I knew I was uncomfortable, but I didn't *know*... she sure did though. My contractions just got more intense as I got closer to delivery...

Well, besides the 9 hours of contractions and back pain that I was in denial about?? Hmmmm.......maybe when I laid down and heard a loud POP sound (my cat even looked at me funny). My first time going into labor caught me totally unprepared because it was two weeks early, I was unpacked, and convinced I was having a boatload of Braxton Hicks', when in fact I started labor around 1:30 p.m. while I was at work (then proceeded to finish out the day, drive home, eat dinner, and attempt to get some sleep before I gave up around 10:30, lol.)


Second time going into labor still caught me off guard (is anyone really prepared when it finally arrives?? Or am I the only one who, at 9+ mos of pregnancy, is like, "Whoa, didn't see that coming?" Anyway, it started with back pain and quickly kicked into contractions which quickly went from 10 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart (almost didn't make it to the hospital. Charlotte was born 20 minutes after we got there......good thing I wanted to go natural no meds because I was already 9 cm when we arrived and no time for an epi.)

So, back pain and belly contractions (like PMS).

I just had really bad back labor with both of mine within the last couple of weeks. But I never got to experience actual pre-term labor on my own. I had to be induced both times...

Mainly the usual stuff. I lost my plug on Friday and went into light labor on Saturday night. I had her on Monday afternoon.

About a week before my due date I had mild cramping and diarrhea. I have to say, though, that didn't mean too much, because I had her almost 2 weeks past my due date. LOL.

Oh, yes, towards the end of pregnancy I was going to the bathroom every five minutes. LOL. She was at zero station and probably sitting right on my bladder.

You're getting so close, Kate!! How exciting!! Can't wait to hear your news and see pics of your baby girl. :D

I don't remember many either. With Em I went into early labor, which was totally boring and never changed. If I wasn't so ready to have her, I may not have even really noticed much. When active hit though, OH BOY watch out....like a switch was turned on. (I really liked it that way though!)
I was induced with Noah, so I didn't have any pre-labor stuff with him.

I have never seen my mucous plug either, not everyone loses it in one glob. I don't think i would want to see it by the way the nurses talk about them here in labor and delivery! haahaa!!

blessings,
amber