Is labor near?

Robyn

Hello ladies!

38 weeks here and have had weird signs and symptoms that labor may be near. I'm a FTM so not too sure what to expect.

Symptoms include:

- Braxton Hicks that have been occurring for almost 2 months but have increased in uncomfortableness and frequency as of these past 2 weeks. Especially at night they now come with period cramps and hot flashes

- Severe and I mean severe lightening crotch for a while now, has been getting much worse, especially these past few days where it is now shooting pains down my left leg

- Extreme pressure down there when walking but has amped up these past few weeks, feels like a bowling ball is falling out any minute and that my hips are falling apart - baby has dropped even lower these past few weeks

- Had a small part of my mucus plug come out the other night but nothing since (no blood tinge but was exactly how they describe, yellowish snot like thick discharge)

- Going #2 a lot with a ton of gas and increased irritation in the bowels/my digestion, not diarrhea but also not solid (sorry, TMI)

- My appetite has decreased because my digestion just feels off, like food is sitting in the back of my throat

***Now, this morning I woke up with a weird dull pain on my lower left side of my back that hasn't subsided. It actually woke me up and I couldn't go back to bed. I tried taking a bath, walking, stretching etc. and nothing has helped ease it.

I have been feeling really off these past couple days, kind of as if my period is coming (my periods were never really bad with severe cramps or PMS just had the runs and felt weird days before) but today has been a significant day where I feel weird/off.

Sorry for the long post, but would love any experienced mama's input as to what I may be feeling.

My baby boy measured 2 weeks ahead at 34 weeks and was over 6lbs, my OB feels he will be an early baby and I've always felt this as well.

Thank you in advance for your advice!❤