I have been feeling quite different today and yesterday. Could this be early labor?

1. Dull lower back cramps
2. menstrual-like cramps
3. softer stool
4. feeling weak and achy (almost flu like)
5. decrease in fetal movement (he is sort of sluggish)

I went to the Labor and Delivery 2 nights ago and was hooked up to the monitor. The dr. said I was having contractions but they weren't regular at the time. Also, I was 70 percent effaced but still high and closed. This is my first child and I'm just wondering how quickly you can dilate and if my symptoms suggest early signs of labor? Also, I am 4 days from my due date.

Those are all symptoms that are indicative that the baby has moved into his delivery position. Pressure on your abdominal aorta from baby's position can cause you to feel odd. Cervical effacement and opening are "supposed" to happen at the same time, but they don't always.

With both of my children, my cervix effaced completely before labor began. Look at it this way, part of the work has already been done prior to true labor. It's difficult to wait. You feel so ready to get it done. I'd wait until contractions have begun to occur one minute apart.

Upon arrival at the hospital, labor frequently slows or stops temporarily. That is because your body does not feel safe to deliver there, among strangers. You will be fine. Your body will tell you what to do and when. The difficult part is relaxing during the hardest contractions. That's when things are really opening up and there's an enormous amount of pressure. Ignore the delivery date, your body and the baby will know when the time is right.