How Will I Know?!

i used to wonder the same thing and people would say to me "oh you'll know when you are in labour." of course i never went into labour naturally with either of my kids so never got to test that theory out. i did think once that i was labour - for about half an hour - but that may have been wishful thinking.

AW, I'm so sorry, sounds so sucky and it's horrible once you get just so completely past it.

with the sense of feeling like any time could be "it", That is completely normal - you do start to feel like that - like you just want to stay close to home.. for some that happens weeks out, others closer to the time. I think especially with your first and not completely being sure what will happen it's easy to get a bit wary. The best you can do though - is spend some time, make sure things are ready and get things prepared for your labour bag, for once you get home, all that stuff. The last 6 - 8 weeks really drag, and the closer you get to the due date, the longer each darn week takes!

Usually, UUUUSUALLY, lol, you will have some other signs that labour might be on it's way. Braxton hicks will start increasing from this point on anyway and can get a bit painful, often dependant on where baby is lying.. some you won't notice, others you'll think OOH. But mostly, you might get a few more of those, closer and closer. You'll feel like baby has dropped into your pelvis.. ie, you will feel like someone has stuck a bowling ball up there between your legs, and you'll know what that loose-legged waddly feeling is. alot of people get really nestyish, grumpy, or feel like they HAVE to get everything done or tie up loose ends. The day i went into labour with Ayja i had gone into town finished up all loose ends and picked up paris from daycare and walked home again! i had been staying home for weeks before that so was pretty out of the ordinary... he he, that night i went into labour and that was that.
You might also get some d's and sometimes v's, your body will clean itself out in prep for labour - gross i know. You might actually not feel like eating to much eaither around that time.

For the most part, only about 10% of people get their waters breaking as first signs of labour.   I thought i was one of those with Paris, but looking back i had probably been in early labour without knowing it for most of the days beforehand, with that bowlingball feeling, feeling like i needed to pee all the time - way more than the usual overpregnant stuff, and pains in the lower region too, as well as i thought paris was getting into weird annoying painful positions!! (Braxton hicks.. i didn't know it)

Anyway, this is a long post. Hope it helps some.

I never had the dropping feeling with my son im not sure if it was because i was induced???? but i would think that i shouldv felt it anyway?? but nothing just the contractions started like a big BANG!! and i soooooo knew what they were!!! an uncomfortable rising crampy feeling in my belly and mostly my back!!! I also never had any water to break! so that didnt help! ( i had Olygohydrosis where there is no fluid replenishing around bubs).

My mum never knew that she was in labour with me - she thought it was indigestion!! but she was 4cms dialated!!

i was 7days overdue, been having 'braxton hicks' all day, had a 'show' 2 days before and was still in denial when contractions got closer together and more intense
i think i'd convinced myself that she was never going to come out so it couldn't possibly be happening!

hang in there girls, the end is near and i totally feel for you!! the last 8-10wks of pregnancy suck!

My plug come away in the morning, I rang m/w she said ill see you in a few days, well that night contractiom started, I think I know the day before, I had this feeling I had to rest and a urge to make up the babys bed.

Its normal to think that Renee, I know I did.
I remember I ahd a fear of my waters breaking out in public, but luckily they broke at home while watching tv, I jsut felt a sudden urge to go to the loo then a bit of pressure then well i made it in time before i leaked anywhere.
It was quite a gap between them breaking adn contractions starting, and believe me you will know when your in labour the contractions are far stronger than braxton hicks.
Mine started kinda like strongish period pains across my bump then got stronger and stronger, I knew when to call my mw when each contraction was getting unbearable and making me sick (dont worry doesnt happen to every1 and they have injections to help relieve that).

I couldnt even talk, all i could say was i need water, is it over yet lol. i didnt even hurl abuse either i jsut nearly broke DF and mw hand lol.

from one that has just been there, they are right when they say you will know, it just might not be right away.

I had back labour so basically was getting an ache through my back and after a couple of hours realised it was coming and going, and decided to time them. My whole labour I feel was relatively quick (realised at 8.30pm I might be in labour, and he was born at 5.40pm the next day), but there was still plenty of time to get to the hospital, and while I got there early compared to most, when labour really kicked in (around 8.30am the next day) I knew for sure that it was happening.

(appologies for the ramble, I am very tired!)

Can I ask what the "show/mucus plug" looks like? Does it come away in one piece or is it like a really thick discharge? Does everyone have this happen?

Mmmm cottage cheese..

Oh and for Nikki - I was bracing myself for hating you! What you said was very true, and it's not really as bad as I made out. I am feeling heaps better now, was just having a grumpy miserable day.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I'm..nearly..there.. Next month even!

Ohh, I'm in Hamilton Jax, but thank you very very much for the offer.