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Category: Labour & Delivery

Asked by Lilemu2

Q: Do these symptoms seem like early labor, or that it could be coming soon?

I'm a FTM... I asked a question the other day regarding labor, but since then my symptoms have progressed quite a bit. As of Monday, I was dilated 1cm. My cervix was soft and my baby has been dropped for over a month. Since then I have had more frequent shooting cervical pains my doctor told me were because i was dilating. My contractions have started becoming more unpleasant, sometimes painful. During my contractions, I feel like my face and whole body flushes and gets really warm. This is the first time that this has happened during my pregnancy, even with my BH contractions. My back has also been very sore. I have another appointment august 31st but some days i feel like i wont make it that far, especially after working all day. I know everybody is different, but i could really use some opinions. Should I go in and get checked? Could labor come soon? I'm just feeling a little nervous and overwhelmed because i am dealing with all of this on my own! any input is welcome! Thank you!

This question was asked Aug. 25, 2016 2:37am
Category: Labour & Delivery

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Answers (5)

Answered by yummymummy1991 - Aug. 25, 2016 11:37pm

It's quite normal for you to have a degree of dilatation if you have had a child before. I have had clients who have walked around not being in labour at 3-4cm (that was more than 1 previous birth keeping in mind). The back paid could be the position of the baby as well as general discomforts of late pregnancy. It's normal for subsequent children not to engage until labour begins whereas first time mothers the baby tends to engage and stay there. Baby may engage and then pop out at any time before you labour. The most reliable sign out of what you have stated is that the cervix is beginning to soften which indicates effacement could be starting. If your professional stated that the cervix was anterior then that would be indicative of near labour too, as opposed to posterior. Hope that helps! Can't say anything for the hot flushes i'm afraid!

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Answered by kvstone - Aug. 25, 2016 3:00pm

Something that you could do is take a tylenol and get in the bath tub and see if it eases up, if it does then you wouldn't be considered to be in active labor. All of things you are describing can happen a good bit before you actually go into labor. I know its scary, I'm sorry you are on your own, but remember that your body knows what to do and birthing a baby is a huge task that usually takes a long time and lots of stuff has to happen before its time to push. I would not hesitate to call and let the doctor know what is going on, they expect lots of questions from FTM's. You can do this :)

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Answered by tmhess - Aug. 25, 2016 12:44pm

I agree that it could be your body getting ready. It could be tomorrow or it could be in a few weeks. However, at this point you would be preterm so I think it is better to be safe and let your OB know what is going on. :) I know my OB wants me to watch for any signs of preterm labor and call them if I think I might be in preterm labor. At the least you will be able to talk to the nurse and she will put your mind at ease. As someone else said, it is better to be safe than sorry.

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Answered by Angela18 - Aug. 25, 2016 11:59am

I agree, everyone and every pregnancy is different and if you have a gut feeling or are concerned I would just see if your doctor could take a look. All any of us can tell you is what we've been through and that won't help to guess if you are in labor or not. I'd just call your doc and see what he/she tells you to do :)

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Answered by blondeone12 - Aug. 25, 2016 10:52am

It sounds as if your body is preparing for labor. If you have any questions or concerns i would give the office a call, or ask to be seen. I always played it safe, rather than sorry. My office had no problems seeing me for little things, or even to just put my nerves at ease.
What you are experiencing is different from what I experienced though. I had no sign of labor until 4 hours before i gave birth.
Wishing you the best.

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