Contractions - How do you know when they are PROPER i.e. time to call MIDWIFE?

[looneytune]

Booked for a Home Birth, due on Monday.

Been having contractions for the past hour or so, started around 10 mins apart and then:

7.55 mins (59 secs)
10.52 mins (1 min, 1 sec)
11.57 mins (56 secs)
6.02 mins (52 secs)
3.57 mins (30 secs)
3.39 mins (32 secs)
4.44 mins (44 secs)
3.40 mins (1 min, 30 secs)

I'm presuming this isn't proper labour as think they should be more regular intervals?

Ds's labour was over 5 yrs ago and was very mad from the start so can't really compare to that. Just not sure at what stage you are supposed to call the midwives if you're supposed to be having a home birth?

[sweetkitty]

oh oh oh oh how exciting looneytune

Looks like it is happening for you

I would phone them just now they may want to come out and check you over or at least have a heads up that they are going to have a busy day.

Am so excited for you now

[ChirpyGirl]

I had that just before DD2was born, it went on for awhile (over a day)
I did go and get checked out at hospital (washaving a vbac) just to make sure so I would call them and letthem know what is happening but it shoudln'tbe much longer!

[looneytune]

Thanks for advice mate, just been out in the rain to get notes from my car between contractions and phoned them up. They are now calling community midwife and someone will call me back Got a feeling it's not quite it but didn't want to get caught out either

[looneytune]

Cheers Chirpy, feel it's not regular enough to be 'it' but with it being a home birth, I wanted to pre-warn them and the lady on the phone was lovely thank god (always worry about making a fuss lol)

[sweetkitty]

What thread are we supposed to be posting on?

I thought DD2 was just a sore BH but when the next one came a minute later thought I had better phone the MW, she was born 2 1/2 hours after that.

Will keep everything crossed this is it for you, that it's not too bad and you will have a beautiful little boy in your arms later today

and

[sweetkitty]

homebirths rock btw hopefully I will be having another one in 2 weeks

[ChirpyGirl]

goodluck! *and you sweetkitty)

I ended up on the comfy sofa downstairs (with the duvet, natch, DH slept under a tatty blanket
and I just watched crapon telly to keep me distracted. It is frustrating when you are just about to drop off and you get another painbut it does mean it wont be long!

I knew when it was the real thing as I couldn't get up off the floor or speak while I was having one.

[looneytune]

Good luck sweetkitty and yes, fingers crossed not long. Community midwife on call just called me and said phone her mobile if gets worse so we're leaving it for now. Going to try and go back to bed but if this continues, not going to be up for taking ds to school this morning so need to think about what to do

Chirpy - that's what I expect but then I hear all these stories of people who didn't know they were in labour and it worries me. For example (TMI alert), I really need a poo but part of me thinks I should be careful and not lol.

Anyway, going to try and rest in bed as been up over 2 hours now and if this is a long one, I need to try and get some rest

Thanks and I'll keep you posted!

[sweetkitty]

Best of luck looney - as chirpy says once the "real" contractions kick in you will be left in no doubt.

Hope you get some rest will be looking for your posts today now

[looneytune]

If you're still there SK, did you have a birthing pool for home birth? I have but not sure when to fill it?

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[ChirpyGirl]

how you doing looneytune?
enquiring minds have to know!

[laura032004]

You should have a poo if you think you need one. It's good to get everything as cleared out as possible to give the baby plenty of room to come down.

If you're still there, you could fill the birthing pool now if you think this is it, then top up with super hot water later if it cools down too much.

How exciting! Hope you're well on your way now

[sweetkitty]

Anything else happening looneytune

Sorry I didn't have a pool so can't help you there

[bamboo]

Any news?

[hedgepig]

hi looney hope all is going well, just bumping this to take it to the top again. Is the pool full yet?

[looneytune]

Sorry people, got intense and couldn't post from the pool .

Joshua James (JJ) was born at 2.50pm weighing 7lb 11oz

Pics on profile now. Off to bed as sooooooooo tired, I shouldn't be on here

Thanks for all your help ladies

[bamboo]

Wow, congratulations ! They are lovely photos - how organised are you to have them on your profile already! Enjoy your lo, he's gorgeous.

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

Congratulations Looneytune.

Can hardly believe you have not only already updated us but posted pictures!

[belgo]

congratulations Looneytune! Lovely name.

[sweetkitty]

aww looneytune was out yesterday and last night and missed this

CONGRATULATIONS and well done, welcome to Joshua James

[hedgepig]

Looney congratulations, he looks so lovely and calm.

[looneytune]

Thanks everyone And yes, great modern technology eh I'm in bed with baby snuggled on top of me and typing this with other hand lol

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

Looney, since you are not finished with your birthing pool, are you considering selling it?