QuestionHI,
This is my first pregnancy. No complications thus far. I am due 9-7-06. I have been having more frequent braxton hicks with cramping that feels like a period. They are at times 6 min apart.
Also, I have the urge to have a BM more frequetnly and I am feeling naseaous. At my appointment last week I was dialted to 1cm, roughly. No bleeding or loss of membranes.
Where would you put me for onset of labor? I am just curious like most first timers! :)
Thanks a bunch,
AnswerHello Maria,
I would say that what your body is doing is definately preparing itself to go into labor. From what it sounds like, you might go sooner than your due date, which is just fine. Most pregnanies are considered full term anywhere from 37-42 weeks. So, even if you did give birth today (which is doubtful but possible) your baby would probaby be just fine. I would look to give birth in the next few weeks. It's always best to be prepared than make a mad dash to labor and delivery. Have your bags packed and ready to go, in the trunk of your car if at all possible. You never know when you might need to go to the hospital or when the doctor will send you on your way. That being said, it's good that this is happening because it means your body is preparing to deliver. With the increase in the Braxton-Hicks contractions and you being dialated, you might end up being one of the lucky few who begins labor already 3-4 cm dialated. That's a good thing. The thing is, however, you never know when labor will begin. Some women are told they will deliver that night only to go another two weeks, and some are told they have at least another week to go only to deliver that night. It just depends on your baby and your body, so I can't tell you an exact date, only that your body is definately getting ready.
When you start getting contracting that increases in intensity and timing, that's probably real labor. A few days before this you will notice a loss of your membranes or "bloody show" as they call it. Usually when you lose this, labor is less than 3 days away. You are definately close when all this happens. The increase in BM's is something that your body does before you go into labor as well. It's probably a good thing since you don't want a full colon when you are trying to push your baby out anyway. If you end up feeling really sick, have blurred vision, feel really swollen, or you get bad headaches, call your doctor right away as it could be something else like preeclampsia. I don't think that this is the case for you. Just be on the watch for anything that doesn't feel right to you. :) I wish you all the best and hope your baby brings you much joy. If I didn't answer a question you had, please ask. :)
~Andrea
