I'll be 38 weeks pregnant tomorrow and 4 days ago I was having menstrual cramping until the next day and also had some spotting.. so I went to my clinic and they said everything was normal.. and that my baby is at 0 station now(Im in so much pain!) but I haven't effaced or dialated.. does this mean labor might be within the next few days?

Unfortunately you just never know when labor will begin. It sounds like you are getting ready, but like I said, you never know. There are some women who walk around dialated to 2 or 3 for weeks, they lose their mucous plug and it still comes in it's own time. Don't want to disappoint you, but you don't want to get your hopes up too high and nothing happen. You've come this far, only a little bit more to go! I've still got 3 months! Good luck and let us know if you have any questions or progression.

It sounds like you are getting close. Keep an eye on the pain and if the so claled cramping keeps coming and going they could be contractions people can go from 0 to 10 in no time depending on your body.

It sounds like you are getting close. Keep an eye on the pain and if the so claled cramping keeps coming and going they could be contractions people can go from 0 to 10 in no time depending on your body.

Yeah I have a friend that told me her contractions started as menstrual cramping and that soon a couple hours later she was in labor, well hopefully he will be here soon!

Both of my children came at 38 weeks and both times it felt like cramping.
Good luck to you and if you need someone to help you through it we're here.

Oh really.. hehe Im getting anxious.. thank you

I would say it is probably some form of contractions that you are feeling... but these could still be Braxton Hicks, and not actual contractions... either way, you are getting very close, and you should stay alert. I had contractions all day, and then they stopped... went into labor that night... but I know other women, who had the baby drop, and contractions for weeks before delivery... everyone is different... is this your first?

This last time, I did no dilating, and he was still at -2 station, right up to my due date. Went into the doc that morning at 9, he schedualed me for induction for two days later, then said not to be surprised if I went into labor that night, because it was a full moon that night. I laughed it off, because there was no sign that I would be going into labor any time soon, on my own.(minus some cramps I had been having, but I had those for two weeks). I was in the hospital that night by 11:30 almost 5 cent. Dilated, and going strong.he was born at 11:30 the next morning. I had lost my mucus plug twice.(thats right, it can regenerate. The first time was a month before I was due. The second time was the morning before I was in labor.)these cramps were annoying, like menstrual cramps, and progressively got worse, until I had to stop what I was doing and just breath. So, watch the timing, watch the pain level, and go in at the doctor appointed time, or before if you really feel its time. If baby is already at 0 station, it shouldn't be too far down the road.

Yes this is my first baby.. yeah its pretty much just a waiting game now huh.. I'm so anxious like every little pain I feel I'm like could this be it?. but at the same time I have a feeling he might just not be here until his 40 weeks are up.. but who knows.. I have an appoinment next Friday so I'll see what the doctor says.. what do you guys think about an epidural?. because I don't want to get one but everyone says I should.

This could also be a sign of dehydration. Please contact your doctor as soon as possible

I would like it, if you could, to describe the pain. Where it is, how it starts, intensity on a scale of 1 - 10, etc.

I had an epidural with my first 2 and natural with my last 2. It is a total and complete individual decision.

Yeah but I was drinking a lot of water because I heard that also.. but the cramps were still lasting all day and night... it started as light menstrual cramps and it got a little more intense when I would lay down.. the next day I woke up and they started again a little bit stronger from the day before so that's when I went to my clinic and they told me the baby was at 0 station and that everything was normal.. the cramps would come and go like 10-15 minutes. Does it hurt a lot more when you have a natural birth then to having an epidural?

Tell me where it hurts, does it start in the back and go around to the front? Around the naval area? I need very detailed specifics.

An epidural, for most women but not all, completely removes the pain, but can make it harder to push when the time comes.

For me, natural birth was with my last 2 children. I felt virtually no pain whatsoever, and I am a baby when it comes to pain. But remember, these were my 3rd and 4th kids, my body was used to it.

What I usually suggest is that you sign the consent for an epidural, as it is a sterile procedure it requires a consent to be signed, if you need it your ready, if you don't then fine, but at least you have your bases covered.

Yeah. Better to prepare for the possibilities. That way if you change your mind, its readily available. If you decide not to use it, you don't have to. If you get the epidural in time, and the person giving it does well, it is like blissful heaven. HAH. I say this because the first one I got, I didn't get it in time, so I was left with the front of my tummy numb, but everything else not at all. The second time around, it worked perfectly, I was able to relax and labor went by much more quick. Typically they will start to ease off on the dosage of the epi, so that as it gets closer to time for you to push, you will be able to have more sensation in the area you need, in order to be successful in your pushing, yet still have enough relief that the pain isn't as intense.in the end it is a personal decision, and until you are in labor, you won't be able to know for sure what that decision will be. Good luck, let us know when baby comes

Oh OK I didn't know you had to sign a consent for that I thought you just let them know if you want it.. yeah I'm not sure yet, but I guess I will sign the consent just in case,does it make it harder to push because it makes you feel extra relaxed?. well the pain is pretty much in the front area like menstrual cramps it didn't go around to my back though.. it was mainly in the front.. but I haven't had any pain since those 2 days..

I think that it depends on the hospital, as far as consent forms, and when you need to sign them. They asked me if I wanted one, and I said yes, then they gave me the papers to fill out. It was a bit more inconvenient as I was in the middle of labor and it was a bit difficult to stop shaking/contracting long enough to write my name hah. However, some hospitals have you sign it ahead of time when you pre-register. You will have to sign one at one point before you get the epidural, it just depends on when.

I'm a big baby when it comes to pain, so I will probably end up getting the epidural. I figure I will sign the consent and see how much I can handle. It makes pushing difficult because you can't feel your lower half to actually push. That is why most places are now lessening the medication or shutting it off completely when it comes time to push. Did you take a birthing class? They should have went over all the info on epi's at that time. Since you are 38 weeks I would highly recommend talking to your doctor about it so you can be better educated for when the time comes to make the decision. Remember that it is your body and your birth. No one can decide for you what is best. If you feel that you don't need it, don't get it. They have other meds they can give you to take the edge off the pain. Epidurals numb you from the waist down. Again, do your homework and know all the facts, good and bad. Hope you go into labor soon, and that it doesn't last too long! Let us know.

No I didn't take a birthing class.. Yeah I really don't want it because I have read all the risks and everything on an epidural and I also heard what you said about "making it harder to push" because you can't really feel anything from the waiste down.. and I've always wanted to be able to say I had an all natural birth hehe.. but we'll see I guess.. it does all depend on the moment.. when are you due automansgirl?

It's a personal decision for the woman with both of mine I had one, with my first I had an emergency c section and with my second I tried going without one but I gave in and when I did it made me dialiate more because my body was relaxed but they turned it down so I was able to tell when it was time to push.
I have to say it was better without the pain, and when it's time for this baby to come I'm all aboard again.
Good luck MAr Mar you'll make the decision that's right for you when the time comes.

I'm due November 30. With any luck he'll come before Thanksgiving. I still doubt whether I will have an epidural or not. The risks scare me, but I think the pain of pushing out a baby scares me even more! Lol! I have so many other worries that an epidural is the last one right about now. Have you had any more pains that might suggest labor?

Oh true, so your getting closer.. so we're on the same boat with the whole epidural issue huh lol.. I feel the same way.. don't worry you will be fine.. I think every little thing worried me throughout my whole pregnancy lol I always called my clinic and asked them all kinds of questions.. No recently I haven't actually I'm just very uncomfortable and I can feel the baby move around more and he puts a lot of pressure on some nerves and my organs and stuff like the other night I had this sharp pain in my back and in my stomach I had to sit up in my bed and I figured out that his foot was like pressing on a nerve or something I had to push on his foot so he can move and as soon as he did the pain stopped lol.. but it was a horrible pain.. it woke me out of my sleep but I knew it wasn't labor pains because it wasn't in my lower belly. Have you had a good pregnancy?

My pregnancy has been pretty good so far. I feel like I'm huge! Any amount of moving around today has been difficult. The doc said the baby is big for his age, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. He is so low today! My hubby and I went to the gym tonight and I had to stop my walk for a bit because his head was pushing on my cyatic nerve, sending shooting pain down my leg and causing my foot to go numb. It was so painful! I think the worst I've had so far is digestion is horrible. I feel like my stomach hurts after every meal I eat now, and I tend to get food poisoning very easy! I've had it twice now. If I don't have it again I will be more than happy. Somedays I feel like I must be farther along than I am, but I know that I'm not. He's just very big. I started showing around 8 weeks, and first felt him at 15 weeks. It's been pretty good overall. Just the usual aches and pains of pregnancy. I hope you go into labor soon. I know how uncomfortable being pregnant is! Not too much longer for me now. How scary! I'm excited!

I hope that you have an easy labor mar mar. I had a natural labor with my first, an epi shot with my second *dry birth* and with the twins I had the epi catheter and they still had to knock me out when they did the emergency section. Everyone is different. You would be surprised at how high your pain tolerance goes when you get that adrenaline pumping. Especially when you know it's time to see your little one

My pregnancy has been pretty good so far. I feel like I'm huge! Any amount of moving around today has been difficult. The doc said the baby is big for his age, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. He is so low today! My hubby and I went to the gym tonight and I had to stop my walk for a bit because his head was pushing on my cyatic nerve, sending shooting pain down my leg and causing my foot to go numb. It was so painful! I think the worst I've had so far is digestion is horrible. I feel like my stomach hurts after every meal I eat now, and I tend to get food poisoning very easy! I've had it twice now. If I don't have it again I will be more than happy. Somedays I feel like I must be farther along than I am, but I know that I'm not. He's just very big. I started showing around 8 weeks, and first felt him at 15 weeks. It's been pretty good overall. Just the usual aches and pains of pregnancy. I hope you go into labor soon. I know how uncomfortable being pregnant is! Not too much longer for me now. How scary! I'm excited!

Oh really so how big is he?. I get those same pains that shoot down your legs and its horrible! But time flys by.. before you know it you'll be in your last month and that's when the anxiety hits you the most! Lol.. oh yeah heartburn is a major issue for me its horrible.. but you know what has usually helped with my digestion.. eating some lemon and lime.. have you tried that?. Thanks My due date is this coming Friday :-)

I hope that you have an easy labor mar mar. I had a natural labor with my first, an epi shot with my second *dry birth* and with the twins I had the epi catheter and they still had to knock me out when they did the emergency section. Everyone is different. You would be surprised at how high your pain tolerance goes when you get that adrenaline pumping. Especially when you know it's time to see your little one

Thanks.. how was the natural birth for you?. well I went to the doctor today I still haven't dialated none I have another appoinment on Wednesday and they said if nothing has changed by then.. they are going to schedule me to get induced :-\.. but hopefully I will start dialating on my own.. but like you said everyone is different.. I just want to be able to have a natural birth, I'll just pray on it.

Most first babies don't come on time. Usually doctors won't try to induce you until you are considered "favorable" meaning you are thinning and effacing enough that should they induce labor, your chances of a easier/faster non-c-section delivery is higher.they may try a more natural approach at first, such as cervadil. This is a more natural way of try to soften things up in there, to make things more favorable for the use of pitocin. Induction isn't usually as bad as the horror stories make it out to be.but it does start things off with a kick, and more people usually opt for an epi in these situations, because it does bring them on faster and harder. However you may not eve need it at all, maybe this baby will get things start on its own. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that as of your last appointment you still hadn't gone in to labor. Hopefully you won't have to be induced. I'm not sure just how big my lo is, but during the u/s the tech said, "Oh look at that femur! It is so long!" His weight at 20 weeks (in lbs) was .8 and they said that was a few ounces bigger than normal. I guess we'll see. I always forget to ask when I go in. My next appt isn't until Sept 10 (and I have to do the GD test, yuck), so hopefully I will remember to say something. Anyway, good luck on going into labor. You never know, this could be your week. Are you feeling any different than usual? My little guy is sitting right on my bladder today. I went to the bathroom 4 times in 35 minutes this morning. It was crazy! Good luck to you. Keep us updated!

Yeah that's what I heard about getting induced is that the contractions come faster Im terrified.. but if I was to get an epidural they wouldn't let me walk around right because I would be completely numb?. I also heard there was a natural way to induce your labor.. by drinking like 2 teaspoons of castor oil mixed with some orange juice it just makes you throw up a lot or gives you a really bad stomach ache but I had a friend that tried this method and she said it worked she was in labor the same day she did it. Yeah,the doctor didn't say I was effaced last time I went just that his head is really low at 0 station still..

Oh your going for the good test.. yeah I hate to say.. I hated that! Lol.. but it's for the best and once you get it over with you'll be fine.. well they say boys tend to always be a little bigger than girls.. he's probably a very healthy baby :-).. hmm I'm not feeling too different, I just feel like I have a lot more pressure than usual and my belly looks a little lower.. Yeah I been talking to him telling him to come this week lol.. but my due date is Friday so maybe he will be here before then.. oh yeah and those trips to the bathroom.. I think that's the worst part about pregnancy! Especially when your trying to sleep.

I don't recommend the castrol oil because that DOES make the contractions come faster which can put the baby in disstress.

I also don't recommend the castor oil. If it doesn't put you into labor it can severely dehydrate you. It gives you diarreah, which helps to cause the contractions. Try some evening primrose oil. You insert it at night to help soften the cervix. Also, do a lot of walking, have sex, eat spicy foods. All that fun stuff. Pineapple juice will also cause contractions. If you get an epi you will not be able to walk around cause, yes, you will be numb from the waist down. Just try to stay patient. Your little one will be here before you know it!

No, no, no castor oil!! If you want labor to come naturally you can try stimulating your nipples. This helps to produce the hormone that will help bring labor on. Another is to have your feet professionally massaged. There are pressure points in your feet that can help bring labor on.

If and when you get the epidural, yes, you will be comfortably numb from the umbilicus on down. You will not even be able to feel your feet, let alone move them.

I have had 4 children, 2 with the epi and 2 natural. Personally I prefer natural as the labor was more quick, but those were my 3rd and 4th children, so labor would come more quick than the 40 hours I labored with my first.

I am currently in my labor and delivery rotation at school.

Thanks for the information guys.. yeah I didn't want to do the castor oil thing cause I know it can dehydrate you.. but I just got home and I ate some spicy salsa and I had remembered that spicy foods can trigger your labor.. and like 15-20 minutes later I went to the bathroom and I lost my mucus plug! Oh my goodness I am so nervous!. so this must mean labor is around the corner..

The loss of your mucus plug does not nescisarily mean labor is going to start right away.(I lost mine twice. Once at 8 months, then again the morning before I gave birth) however, typically (particularly if there is a pinkish colored discharge) it means that it will be within the next 48 hours.(my second loss was the pinkish kind)good luck to you hun. Try not to be nervous, just relax. If you are calm and relax, things will go faster and smoother.

I'm glad you aren't going to do the castor oil. That's scary stuff. Well, now that you've lost your mucus plug labor can't be too far away. Just try to stay relaxed. Especially if you are going to try to go natural. Let those contractions do their work (when they finally start) and hopefully your labor won't take too long! Keep us updated when you can.

Also Stay At Home As Long As Possible (once You Get To The Hospital They Don't Let You Do Much) And Do A lot Of Walking That Way It Will Bring The Baby Down And Help With The Contractions.
Good Luck Keep Us Posted.

Thanks.. yeah it was like a pinkish brown color.. I hope it does mean that I will be going into labor soon without having to be induced.. Yeah.. that's what I had said, that I wanted to walk while I was in labor I don't want to just lay in the hospital bed the whole time until the time is really right.. so Im going to try to toughen up and walk as much as I can.

Hey you guys. So I went to the doctor this morning and she told me Im 80% effaced and 1cm dialated I was so happy to hear that.. I didn't think I would dialate at all.. so if I don't go into labor on my own by Friday they are going to set me up to get induced.. which I'm praying on that won't happen.

Congrats on the progress! That's great news. I'm rooting for a natural labor for you! Hopefully things will progress quickly. Hope you are feeling well today. Get your rest, you won't be getting much once your little one decides to make an apearance!

Yep, seems like once they set that induction date things start moving hehe. Good luck hun.

Lol thank you guys for your support.. :-) Im excited,anxious,nervous... wow.. can't explain it.

Congrats Marmar. I can't wait to hear how your labor and delivery went and to hear how precious that little one is.

Thank you very much. I can't either :-)

Hey guys so I went into labor my exact due date! My contractions started at 11 am and I went to the hospital at about 10:45 pm and was 4 cm, he was born at 3:55 am.. I didn't get the epidural until I was 7 cm lol I was in so much pain especially when they tried putting the epidural cause it was so hard to stay still!. but everything went well I dialated pretty quick.. I have a beautiful healthy baby boy he weighed 7 Lbs 11 oz.. thank you guys for your support!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I am so happy for you!!

Now, go get some well needed rest. You will need it.

Congrats I'm glad to hear everything went OK.

Congratulations! Cherish ever single second with him so tiny :)

CONGRATS! So glad to hear all went well. Hope we get to see some pics.
Good job mommy, and good luck!(I know how you felt when it came to waiting until 7 cm and the pain level. That's how it was with my first.I was in so much pain, with contractions one on top of the other that the epidural popped right back out when he first put it in and he had to tape me up like a mummy the second time he put it back in so it would stay.)

Congratulations! That is so exciting! I was hoping we would hear from you soon. Glad everything went well. Now get as much rest as you can, love that little baby, and enjoy not being pregnant anymore. =)

Thank you guys :-).. yes I am very tired lol.. he smiled at me for the first time today it was such a great moment.. I get so emotional for everything.. I've cried so much from tears of Joy and when he cries from pain I cry! Especially when he got circumcised.. but Im getting use to it.. oh yeah (buggage) those pains are no joke.. yeah she had to stop too because I couldn't stop moving... my contractions were 2-5 minutes apart it was very painful, but its all worth it at the end :-).. I will post up pics as soon as I get my cameras developed.. and it feels weird not being pregnant anymore Im still trying to get use to that! Hehehe..

I had a jolt of shock every time I would put my hands on my hips and not feel a huge belly there, or be able to hold my oldest son on my lap and not have this huge bump in the way, not having to lean clear far away every time I opened a door, or brushed my teeth(I would always end up with a big glob of toothpaste on my belly when it was sticking clear out there) its great isn't it? Look forward to those pics

Lol on this topic I remember forgetting to zip my pants up for months with my first, I was so used to maternity belts.. LOL.

Hah, yeah, I use to put a hair tie through the hole and loop it over the button to extend my waist line on my pregnancy jeans,leaving the zipper down and would just wear long shirts to cover it up. Once I wasn't pregnant anymore, I would find myself remembering to button, but forgetting to zip.HAH

Congrats Marmar. I am so happy to hear that everything worked out perfectly and you have a precious baby boy.
And Buggage I am with you on the hair tie. That is the way I wear my jeans now. My husband makes fun of me and keeps telling me to just buy maternity jeans but my old jeans are too comfortable to give up just yet. The hair tie works perfectly and I will keep it that way for as long as I can.

I agree. The maternity pants (atleast the good ones, that actually fit you just right and FLATTER you, instead of looking like a sack of potatoes) were way too expensive for us. So I would just buy regular jeans that were bigger, and they would fit me better. Its like, if you buy maternity pants at a regular store, they think that because your stomach is huge, the rest of you should be too. Not so. At least in my case. Half of them I could have fit two legs in one leg hole, and have it still too tight on my tummy hah. So yeah, the hairtie works great.(no need to buy the special "waist extenders" they are just hairties with fancy names hah) and likely if you do get maternity pants, the next time you get pregnant, they won't fit you anyway. That's the way it was with my first pregnancy pants.

Yeah it feels relieving lol now just got to work on getting this pudge out of the waY! Hehehe... hey I never thought about the hair tie thing.. I should try that.. I don't fit into a lot yet I try everyday to see what I fit into lol.. Yeah about the maternity pants that is true they make them big around the waiste and everywhere else so its all uneven everywhere.. I only really had a couple of those and grew out of them quick so I just said forget it and bought regular clothes just bigger sizes.. Im working on getting a picture on here I just developed a camera today so I will post one a.s.a.p

Yep, I'm still trying clothes on every day to see what fits. Exciting when you can actually get a pair of pants past your thighs, and even more exciting when you can button them without busting a seam, and still being able to breath.. look forward to the pics.

Lol I don't fit in nothing yet! It sucks and I can't wait to get rid of this pudge! Lol

Well, at least your pudge is going to start getting smaller. Mine is just beginning and will get so much bigger. I am now almost 18 weeks but seem to be showing more than other pregnant women that are as far along as I am. I get comments on it all the time. Most people can't believe I am only 18 weeks and think I should be a lot farther along (especially since this is my first). I think I am showing more because I have long legs and hardly and waist (basically short on top long on bottom). The baby doesn't have much room to go anywhere but out ( at least this is what I am telling myself). Luck for me I haven't gotten bigger anywhere else except for my tummy.

Well everyone's different... you'll be fine... so you have a perky belly? That's how mines was and it was a boy everyone knew it was a boy by the way my belly was shaped it was weird like people that didn't even know me would be like how's the little boy in there and all kinds of things lol like they automatically knew.. having a belly when pregnant is one of the most beautiful moments you should cherish in your life so don't feel bad.. there's a little one in there that your going to love so much and once he/she comes out your not even going to care what you look like, I mean I'm not going to lie it gets a little uncomfortable but wait until you start feeling your baby move around its one of the best feelings :-).. you should do what I did.. I went and got some pics taken with my belly and I loved them.. hehehe.. but good luck to you I wish you the best.. a child is a gift from God.