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If someone asked you what is the one question that every pregnant woman
asks, without a doubt it would be how will I know when I'm in labour?
Below are some of the signs you may experience
when going into labour. You could well experience all of the early signs
or none of them at all and the first time you realise your in labour is
when your waters break!! I know I know not quite the answer you were
looking for but hey! who ever said having babies was easy???????
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The Nesting
Urge - You may get a strong desire to get every thing clean
and tidy all the time even if is the tenth time you've wiped that
worktop today! You may feel full of energy all of a sudden, this is
often said to be your body gearing up for the hard work of labour
that lies ahead! Make the most of it though, especially if you've
suffered from tiredness during your pregnancy cause once your little
bundle of joy is born its back to being tired all the time again!
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Soft Bowl
Movements - this can happen up to 2-3 days before you go into
labour. Its just your bodies natural way of getting rid of any waste
before you go into labour. Better now than having an embarrassing
episode in the delivery room ....................
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Menstrual Type
Cramps - These will be mild period type cramps, if they are
so strong you are doubled over call the hospital immediately. You
can have these type of cramps up to a week (or longer) before you go
into active labour.
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Backache
- If you've had this all the way through your pregnancy I wouldn't
get too excited however if this is new to you early labour can start
in the lower back and will gradually get stronger and labour progresses.
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Bloody Show
- This is a small amount of blood tinged mucus, your most likely to
see it after you've wiped after going to the loo.
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Losing the
Mucus Plug - The best way to describe this is snot! Its true
it looks like snot, again your most likely to see this when you've
wiped and again it will only be a small amount. The plug has been
protecting your baby from infection throughout your pregnancy and
the fact it has come away means your cervix is dilating. Don't pop
the Champaign corks just yet though, active labour can still be a
few days away yet!
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Regular
Contractions - these can start off as mild period type cramps
and will gradually get stronger and stronger and each contraction
will also last longer as labour progresses.
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Your Waters
Break! - Only 25% of women have this gush of water so don't
panic every time you go out just incase it happens in the middle of
Tessco's!. However if your waters do break and they are a funny
colour or smell contact the maternity ward immediately and let them
know, chances are they will want you to come in straight away to
monitor you. Don't panic though this is just a precaution, however
your birth choices could be limited i.e. you wont be allowed a water
birth and your most likely have to give birth lying on a bed so the
baby can be monitored.
Whatever your birth experience I hope its
a magical and memorable one that you will treasure forever. It is true
however once your baby is born and you hold them in your arms, all
the pain and misery is forgotten!
Good luck! |