[tumultuous]

I am currently about 38 weeks along, and wondering if I am going into labor. A little bit of background:

I went into labor 3 times already-June 3, July 10, and Aug 3. Each time, I was given medication to stop the labor (the second time, I was given a medication I took daily to stop contractions, though it only helped from the second time time to the third time, less than a month, and I was also given steroids to help the baby's lungs develop faster if I did happen to go into labor and it couldn't be stopped).

I am considered a high risk pregnancy due to IUGR, incompetent cervix, hypoglycemia, and having 5 miscarriages prior to this pregnancy. I was put on bed rest from mid may to just a week ago (my doctor said I should be fine to get up now, since I am far enough along that the baby would be okay). I also had to be put on a high calorie diet, since I had only gained 6 pounds during my first 6 months. Even now I can still fit into my prepregnancy jeans, even with eating 4000+ calories a day. The baby's abdominal growth is still behind schedule, so she only weighs 5 lbs 4 oz, even though her height is larger than average. Otherwise, she's pretty healthy, from what the doctors tell me.

Some of my current symptoms are cramping like a menstural period (which I had before), pain around my anal cavity, like I have to go to the bathroom, no movement from the baby for most of the day (once the cramping started, she started moving a bit-not much, but when she does move, it's a bit jerky), pain in my pelvic area (it feels like I am being stabbed in my vagina area, basically), and leaking from my nipples (colostrum, I assume). I lost my mucus plus the day I went into labor the last time.

I would have given birth that time, but they wanted to let me go until I was at least term, because they were worried she would have a problem feeding, especially with the small stomach. I don't have any show at all (the bloody show that is supposed to show up before birth), and the pain I'm feeling isn't regular, but it feels like the contractions I was having before.

I apologize for the long post, but I thought that explaining a bit about my pregnancy would help you all out there give me a more educated opinion. I thank you for your replies. :p

[DoulaLC]

It can often be so different for many women, and other times labor will proceed by the book. Usually, one of the first signs of actual labor are contractions that come and go, gradually getting stronger and more regular. For some women, they may be like menstrual cramps at first, or may start in the back first. If you lie down for awhile, get something to eat or drink, does the cramping stop? Is it a continuous cramp, or does it come and go... as in cramp for 40 seconds or so, subside... cramp for 40 seconds, subside? Do you feel a bit more movement from baby when you lie down and rest for a bit? See what happens if you drink something cold and lie down on your left side. This is often suggested to get an idea of how much movement baby may really be doing.
Could be the start of things... could just be warming up for it.

[tumultuous]

It turns out that she is in fact on her way-on Sunday night, I finally went into the hospital, and I was one CM dilated, and 50% effaced. However, 24 hours later, it is still the same. I have another appointment on Thursday to see how much it will have progressed by then, if my water doesn't break by then. Also, if I am not in Active labor by next week, they said they want to induce me, because they don't want to "overtax" the placenta, and don't want me to be dilated for too long without going into labor.

The baby is very healthy, though. Of course, when it wasn't time for her to come out, she was trying her hardest, and now that it's okay, she's trying to stay in there. It figures. Haha.