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Childbirth

Have I, unknowingly, made this worse for myself?

136 replies

sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 15:24

Afternoon!

I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my first and have been having fairly strong cramps and tensing since 11pm on Tuesday night. Went to maternity twice yesterday just to see how things were progressing. I'd got to 2 cms dilated yesterday afternoon on the second check up. Most of yesterday I was sitting upright-ish in a chair and just breathing through any tensing (mostly in my back as little one is back-to-back despite being perfect on Monday).

Since yesterday afternoon, back at home, I have been trying to get on all fours during each contraction/tensing to get him to turn and drop but still not a lot doing. The tensing doesn't seem to be getting stronger or more frequent and waters haven't gone. I have also been trying to spend as much time as possible resting on my side and kneeling up against the edge of the bed, or on all fours rotating my pelvis whilst there are no contractions.

So that's over 40 hours of contractions so far! Have I done anything to cause the first stage so be so long, or is this fairly normal?!

I really don't want to go back to maternity again to be checked for them to tell me that I'm only another 1 or 2 cms dilated since 24 hours ago! My waters haven't gone yet either.

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FrameyMcFrame · 26/12/2013 15:36

Are you actually in any pain?
If not they might just be strong Braxton Hicks, you can be 2 cm and not actually in labour you know.... it may be a long latent first stage.

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 15:40

Thanks Framey. Yeah quite a lot of pain. Had lots of BH but these are very different. Mostly around the lower back and bump is definitely tensing for longer :(

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ohforfoxsake · 26/12/2013 15:41

Agree with Framey, may be a long first stage. I'm fairly sure mine was a couple of weeks of stop/starting, no pain as such, just niggles. It made for a very easy birth.

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ohforfoxsake · 26/12/2013 15:44

Have you got a gym ball? Only was I could get comfortable.

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impatienttobemummy · 26/12/2013 15:46

I think that the positions for turning the baby disengage the head... Could be wrong maybe just get in the bouncy ball and hope he/she will turn on their own?

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impatienttobemummy · 26/12/2013 15:47

I'm 13days pp... Labour is long. You've got plenty of time just relax and bounce

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 15:48

Thanks OFFS - no I haven't but it might be a late Xmas pressie to me from husband tomorrow! I'm currently slumped forwards leaning upright against the edge of the bed, propped up on 3 pillows.

I don't really mind how long it takes - just want to make sure little one comes out safely and healthy. Both the check ups yesterday on him were fine so fingers crossed he should be ok.

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 15:50

Thanks ITBAM - gym ball does seem to be the way forward then. I think a friend in the village has one I can borrow . . . :)

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Lexilicious · 26/12/2013 16:06

I wish you a wonderful birth and hope it gets going soon for you. :) It sounds a lot like my first in 2009... I had contractions from late on a Wednesday night, did all that you describe, tried to get sleep, took relaxing baths, walking, all fours, visualising, cx were all over the place! We eventually went to the hospital exhausted and frustrated at 6pm on the Friday and they said I was only 1cm. If I hadn't been 42weeks they would have sent me home, and then the moment that "visiting hours" were over they sent DH home which upset us both. I did figures of eight furiously on a gym ball in the lonely antenatal ward, and by 1am I was 3cm dilated, which counted as 'proper' labour and they called for DH to come back. Baby born 9am on the Saturday - textbook though, in a midwife led unit and only a couple of stitches needed. Bizarrely, second baby also born 9am after 'real' labour from 2am, similar weight, similar tear and waited till 41w+5.

Good luck and happy birthing! Thanks

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 16:27

Thanks Lexi - sounds like I've still got some time ahead of me!! I wouldn't mind if it was just BH as I'm not due for another week but the pains are completely different and in a different place (lower back mainly) but hope that I haven't been in a certain position to slow things down.

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TeaandHobnobs · 26/12/2013 16:43

I had 48 hours of contractions every 10 mins before I reached 3/4cm (at which point they were coming every 7 mins) - but every woman will be different and have a different contraction to dilation ratio, I reckon.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things to stay active and help things progress. I'd only suggest making sure you get as much rest/sleep as you are able to - I found back to back labour after not having slept for more than 8 mins at a time for two days was a killer!

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 16:55

Thanks TandH - makes me feel a bit better :) I'm currently on my side (flipping to all fours when I have a contraction to manage pain) and hoping to get another hour or so of broken sleep! Haven't had more than about 4 hours of sleep in the last 4 or so days. Feel guilty though for being on my side as it doesn't get little one into the right position :(

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TeaandHobnobs · 26/12/2013 17:10

No, no - no guilt Smile you are doing what you can. When we found DS was back to back, I tried to stay on a ball or on all fours to get him to turn, but in the end I was too knackered and had to lie down on my back! At the time I knew I maybe wasn't helping myself, but hey, I was exhausted! He turned during the descent in the end.
Hope things get a move on for you - c'mon babysanity!

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 17:18

Thanks :) just so frustrating as he's been the correct way round for weeks until Tuesday!! I'm hoping that my side is better than my back so he doesn't "fall" back to back again.

Going to try to get hold of a gym ball ASAP so can encourage him to come out sooner rather than later!! :)

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BetterWithCranberryWensleydale · 26/12/2013 17:25

Aw sanity I'm right there with you. I had bloody show and pink discharge all day on Tuesday with irregular contractions but contractions stop and now just get BH, some cramping, lots of mucous and the odd contraction. Sooo frustrated. I wouldn't think anything but bloody show on due date got my hopes up. I feel like the baby is about to fall out but clearly not!

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BetterWithCranberryWensleydale · 26/12/2013 17:30

Also read this this about OP babies, very interesting.

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DangoDays · 26/12/2013 17:33

You sound like you are doing really well and coping brilliantly. I had a long labour for my first birth. Established or not is irrelevant in my opinion. Each contraction will bring you closer and the early stage can be hard.

Re. Back to back. My eldest ds and youngest ds (born 10 days ago) were both back to back. Didn't manage to move 1st but with help of doula managed to for 2nd. This is how we did it if it helps. Walked up and down stairs but sideways and back against wall. Would do 2steps at a time. Live on 4th floor so was 8 flights all said and done. Did this a fair bit.

Eat, drink and rest whenever you can.

Here if you need anything. You are doing great.

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 17:43

BWCW - I'm glad I'm not on my own! (sorry!) I'd take the BH/contractions/pains for however long if I knew they were getting me somewhere. We'll see! Thanks for the link - I'll certainly have a read :)

Thanks DD - I don't feel like I'm doing well but moral support is very much appreciated :D

I have been suffering from SPD for the last 5/6 months which might restrict a lot of those movements but I'll do my best. It'll be worth it if it stops the back pain at least. The SPD seems to have settled since the tensing/contractions started :)

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 17:44

DD - P.S. congratulations on your recent new arrival x

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selfdestructivelady · 26/12/2013 18:04

Please keep up the good work I had long latent possesses the longest being 42 hours but short active phases the shortest being 30 minutes all mine were back to back so yoü May find labor speeds up rapidly once you get going.

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 18:20

Ohhh that's encouraging SDL - thank you. I'll have another few hours later on all fours I think :)

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selfdestructivelady · 26/12/2013 18:28

How far apart and how long are contractions?

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sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 18:38

On average lasting a minute or so every 5 minutes? They're mostly in my back though - not much is going on with bump :(

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FrameyMcFrame · 26/12/2013 18:47

I think this is the introduction, something is happening but try and get some rest now before it kicks off properly. You won't mistake it when it does, you might have a nice short active labour after all this build up.

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selfdestructivelady · 26/12/2013 18:49

Sounds exactly like my labors when they are three minutes apart go back in for a check but otherwise try and rest.

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