membranes and spotting

Alright... please bear with me here... this may get yuckie!

I am due... well, the ultrasound said that I am due on the 13th, the doctor using the "last period" method of dating says I am due on the 19th. Yesterday at my doctors appointment she checked my membranes, and said that I am just over 1cm dialated.

She tried to thin them manually while she was "in there", and said I would probably experiance some spotting. I spotted most of yesterday.

Last night, on one of my many bathroom trips, I noticed a wad of thicker mucus when wiping. It wasn't a huge amount.. but was definetly noticable. Today there is more mucus, and its all slightly brown, and I am still spotting.

Here is my question... what do contractions feel like? I called the hospital, and they asked if I was in labour. I said I didn't know. She asked if I was having contractions, and I said I didn't know. I said this was my first pregnancy, and I really don't know what I should be feeling. She said I would know once it starts, but 2 of my cousins didn't know they were in labour until they were 7 cm dialated!

any input on the situation is appreiciated!

 

double post, sorry:&

 

oh man
well, I was going to say that you'll know when it starts, but I guess that was blown out of the water....lol
Contractions feel like your whole stomach is tightening...there's really no other way to describe it....and then the pain will start to "move" down lower and lower. I would have a ton of back pain as it was ending, and then it would fade away.
The mucous could very well be your plug, but that doesn't always mean that labour is going to start that day...sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks. The day that I lost mine was when I started labour, but all women are different. And it doesn't have to be real thick, either, for some women, it's just a lot of messy wet stuff, lol.
It's probably bloody show that you're having since it's still happening....the bloody show can accomany the musous plug. It's generally a good sign that labour is going to be beginning. The blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as the cervix begins to open up, which all makes perfect sence, since you said that you measured at 1 cm already. Labour probably isn't far off....I mean, again it could take up to a week, but since you've already started to dialate, I'd say that it's starting.
So yeah, if this is the real thing, keep us posted!!!!! and congrats!!!!
This is so exciting, lol

 

Youll know when you have them...it feels like period pains in your back and then it gets worse....are you sure that wasnt the 'plug' that you wiped away????id go and get it checked out again...

 

oh, yeah, and I forgot about this part: some women say that in the beggining contractions, it feels like you've got a real bad case of diarhea.
The morning that I woke up with my first contraction, I felt sick, like I had to take a poo.....and when I went to the bathroom, nothing. But that was also when I discovered my bloody show and musous plug.
Some women also really do have diarhea. Most of the time, you'll feel like you have to do a bathroom run right after a contraction.

 

I have the runny stool, I have the back pain... I have the tightened belly (my stomach is like a freaking rock). I have all the signs, but can't seem to tell if the discomforts I am feeling in my belly are mild contractions...

I do think it might have been my plug, which is why I mentioned it. I just don't know if the blood is "show" or just spotting from the membrane exam. I am totally out of my element here... hahaha... and I hate not knowing what to expect!

Bah... lol... guess I will just continue with my day and see what happens. Not much else to do!

*edit* just thought I would add a picture of how freaking huge i am... and my tattooed belly...

 

lol, that's all about you can do
it sounds like you are having contractions, and there are a few lucky women out there who will go through the first stage of labour with such mild contractions that they hardly feel them.
Usually when you have an exam done, yeah, there might be some spotting, but from what I've seen and read, that should only be very small. I might be wrong about that, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.
Could go by any chance go back to the doctor to talk about this? I mean, it's hard to tell you anything by not actually seeing you, lol

 

what a cute belly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's fun to look at those pictures a few months later and not realize how huge you were!
dh found a video tape 3 days before I went into labour and showed a side view and I almost fell off the couch! I got married when I was 8 months, and i thought that was big when I was looking at the pictures....then I saw that video and I couldn't believe it!!!!!

 

Oh goody! I don't have any useful advice to give you, but I wanted to add my positive thoughts! Happy baby vibes, heading your way I'll be sure to check back and see how things are... Moving along!

 

well.. I am 80% sure I am in labour. Still spotting, and now I have a tightening of the belly that will last for a minute or so, and then it will go slack... pretty sure those are contractions, I am just not feeling any pain.

I will post back if things progress any further. I could go to the hospital and get checked, but just don't see the point as they would just send me home again. Figure I will figure it out on my own here one way or another! hahaha

 

it still may be BH contractions.
Like I said the mucous plug and show can still be just a sign of labour to come.
Even after I had dilated 2 cm, was having regular (painful) contractions and had lost my plug and had the show, and my doc said that it could continue over the course of 3-7 days.

 

Yea, don't go to the hospital until you're in ACTIVE PAINFUL labor. The longer you are home, the better. At the hospital they will want to moniter you and the babe, and check your cervix, etc. At home you can walk around, eat, take a shower/bath, etc.

With both of my kids, I was induced and so I spent my ENTIRE labor in the hospital, take my word for it, being at home is better! Not all hospitals are evil and awful ,but even really geat hospitals will have SOME rules about labor. (checking cervix, no eating, etc)

Plus, if you stay home, you can keep us posted!!

 

lol, yeah, we need baby updates!!!
I do agree with not going to the hospital. If they don't send you home (most will, if you're still in the first stage), they will hook you up to all that crapolla and talk you into induction and all that other stuff that you probably do not want to go anywhere near.

 

:claps hands excitely:

she hasn't posted again! lol

 

hahaha... I'm still here. Still spotting, still hard and soft alternating belly. Nothing escalated, but it also hasn't stopped. Had a nap for a couple hours, and woke up to my husband making supper. Had a bath, and am going to go lay down again.

I PROMISE to post before we head to the hospital, if we EVER go! I am soooo ready to have this baby!

 

aww, I'm excited for you! send some labor vibes my way!

 

Yay for babies!! I can't wait!!

 

CONGRATS!! It won't be long now, but it might not be so soon, either. Don't go to the hospital too early.



edited.... never mind, you're probably already there!

 

lol regan well i was getting excited for you lol

 

Alright... so still at home. Feel like I am having the worst period cramps of my life. My husband is hovering around me like he expects me to burst into flames... just sits and stares at me.. hhaha.. cute but annoying... haha.

Called my Mom to let her know whats happening, and am going to call my Dad and Stepmom here right away. They are driving 5 hours to be here for the event... don't think they need to leave yet, but just to give them a heads up.

Any advice ladies? Things I should avoid eatting/doing? Things I should try doing? My mom suggested a walk or a drive down a bumpy country road... good ideas or not?