In my last month and wondering if there are signs to tell how much longer the agony will last?

[justme85]

I have started in the last week to have such string pains in my hips and pelvis, I feel so bruised I can't walk faster than a tortoise. Lying down absolutely kills and turning over in bed is just impossible without feeling like i've broken my pelvic bone in half (dramatic but I actually cry out loud it hurts so much.) I get so breathless and faint and I'm up for the toilet at least 3 times a night (i haven't been like this until the last wk or two.) I've also had a dull ache and back pain frequently. Is this normal? This is my first so I have no idea what to expect. Any signs to look out for before labour starts?

[MrsArchieTheInventor]

Justme - I'm in the same boat as you! I was induced with an epidural for my DS so I've no idea what to look for either when labour starts. I don't know what contractions feel like and don't know what it feels like when your waters break spontaneously. All I know is that it feels like when I walk my whole insides are going to drop out like a water balloon being filled to capacity, and when I go the loo in the night (about 4 or 5 times) I have to use crutches to walk as my pelvis has 'set' due to SPD, and ditto with the rolling over in bed.

I'm two weeks away from my due date and have already started with warm-ish curries and warm baths, and we've even tried sex to 'start things off', though to no avail, and it took so long to get comfortable that I don't think it's something we'll be trying again, if you know what I mean.

This pregnancy lark isn't all it's cracked up to be. We're supposed to be blooming and radiant and full of the joys of motherhood at a time when we feel like crap, can barely walk and want it all to be over. All I can say is that the end is near, and soon you'll have a wonderful bundle of joy to hold, along with another reason to be getting up several times in the night.

Nearly there chuck!

[mogwai]

poor you

I also had SPD with my first and felt just like this. I was 9 days overdue and used to wake up every morning feeling so depressed because I was convinced that the previous bedtime would be the beginning of the night I'd go into labour.

And then a doctor in hospital made me lie flat on my back on a hard trolley and I just cried and cried with the pain

Have you tried a single airbed on top of your mattress? This was a huge help to me in turning over in bed. You might feel it's an unecessary expense but you can always use it for sleepovers once your little one gets older and anyway, if it gives you some rest before the baby comes then it's worth it.

Three years on you do forget about the end bit of pregnancy but your post was so familiar that I had to post a reply. Hope you're out of this misery soon (because it IS miserable!) and you'll have a lovely baby to make up for it!

[justme85]

I feel like I moan all the time so it's nice to have someone understand what I mean and it's funny as I've actually explained feeling as though my insides are ready to drop out to my partner and I'm sure he thinks I'm mad. It certainly isn't the pleasant experience I thought it was going to be, don't get me wrong I love my apts and finding out about the baby, hearing the heart beat and seeing the scans but the rest is really not the doddle I expected. I have not tried many things just pineapple and raspberry leaf tea. I can't bring myself to have sex now and I never thought i'd say that but I'm so big and I can barely get comfy sitting down/lying down etc and i'm actually frigthened my pelvis wont cope (i do sound dramatic I know.) I have 4 n a bit weeks left now so baby needs to stay put a little while anyway but every twinge makes me think...now????? Good luck to u, I hope baby comes soon for you and that the birth is a nice experience. Will look out for your birth announcement. xx

[mogwai]

horrible isn't it?

You tried massgae?

Rant away love, get it off your chest

[Hawkmoth]

I know the feeling, having SPD in my first pregnancy and twinges already (9wks) in this.

However, one MW told me that the SPD means I'm stretchy, and I did have a relatively quick and easy labour (was induced and didn't know I was in 'proper' labour until I started pushing)... and honestly, my contractions didn't hurt anywhere near as much as turning over in bed.

Do make sure you have SPD written into your birth plan so that everyone's careful with your positioning, how they examine you AND the position you give birth in.

Good luck.

[MrsArchieTheInventor]

Mogwai is right though - I can't for the life of me remember how bad the SPD was with DS1, even though I was prescribed a pelvic brace and crutches that time too. I can't even remember when my pelvis felt normal, as in not grinding or clicking when I moved, so it must be one of those things that fade when the joys of motherhood kick in.

[justme85]

mogwai I do sympathise with what you went through, and everyone says you forget but somehow I doubt it. My partner is trying to support but I think he thinks i'm being soft despite telling me i'm doing great. The thought of lying flat makes me wince, but I am focusing on the lovely baby you have at the end of all the unpleasantness.xx

[ruthmollymummy]

ooh ooh I want to have a moan too! I'm the same as MrsArchie - had a baby so people think I should know what I'm doing but I was induced early with her.
I'm doing the evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea - I do still have three weeks to go but this last week has taken foorrreeeevvveeerrrr!

Everytime I get gas I think I'm maybe having contractions! Was up for a couple of hours the other night convinced that I was away only to discover it was just a bit of a funny tummy

[justme85]

Hi ladies, I am feeling increasingly paranoid that it's getting close now. Last night I had an agonising sleep and woke up feeling dreadful, my pelvis is actually clicking with the slightest movements and even my legs feel unsteady. I am only 23 and I walk like i'm 80. Been experiencing period like pains just below my bump and emptied bowells a very unusual 3 times yest? Anyone think It cud be starting or is it wishful thinking???xx

[LoveActually]

Hello justme was convinced my baby would come early. Started getting hip pain and night and a dragging feeling, as if my baby was pulling my insides out (TMI but that's how it felt). Had nasty back pain and was convinced I was within days of giving birth (week 37) However I am now 40 weeks and three days, and getting impatient. Prepare yourself for a few more weeks, try and do things that distract you or make you feel good. Otherwise - like me - you may end up driving yourself crazy. I'm resigned to waiting another week and a half and trying to enjoy time with my DP. x

[mogwai]

I found having a pedicure and head massage took my mind off things.

Oh dear it's all very crap. I'm 18 weeks with my second and already in pain at night.

[bunsen]

Just coming up to 35 weeks and having some very strong movements, feel like she is going to pop the amniotic sack with her stretches, rancid constant heartburn, thrush all he time (maybe that has a bit to do with maternity jeans getting a bit tight!) and tummy pains like ruthmollymummy in the night, have rung labour ward convinced I was starting up. Have not felt blooming at all this time . Gone off so many things, bad morning sickness and very tired and faint throughout. Gone off sex, correction gone off the smell of fag smoke and booze which means I don't like kissing partner, which has lead to a huge rift between us. Had more sex this time than last but because there wasn't that much of a gap between pregnancies, he feels very hard done by! Sorry if you didn't really want to know! Can't wait for it all to be ooovvveeeerr!

[justme85]

I am pleased to know i'm not the only person going out of my mind with impatience. This pregnancy has really made me appreciate my usually good health and all the things I took for granted. I am so excited to meet my little one tho and I know it will be worth it in the end. Every twinge I get I wonder now and I can see me being like you loveactually but I guess we just have to think it will soon all be over. I know what you mean about partner feeling hard done by bunsen, mine is quite seriously not much short of a nympho and I am now so much in pain I have to decline all advances, but feel guilty a lot until I remember who gave my this agony to begin with. Sorry to be graphic but does anyone seem to be emptying their bowells an awful lot? 3 time yest n I norm do tht in a week. Is this the pregnancy?

[mumoverseas]

oh bless you justme, sounds like you are definitely in the SPD club you poor thing. It is really awful isn't it? I'm 34 weeks and have had it since 24 weeks although the last few weeks its got worse and I'm also walking/waddling slower than a tortoise. Some people suggest a special support belt you can buy which doest sometimes help. Other than that, lots of rest if you can.
Come and join us February bumps on the due Feb thread for a whinge x

[Schnullerbacke]

Can I please join this thread? Could have written by me. I also walk like a turtle, would love to be more active and go swimming for example but I couldn't even do the breaststroke as I wouldn't be able to kick legs due to SPD. The pillow between the legs at night has definitely helped but still, sleep is crap, DD1 gets up endless times at night and I just feel knackered and grumpy all day. Would love for DH to be in my shoes for a day and then get extra sympathy afterwards {fat chance of that happenning].

Where is the Feb due thread by the way?

BTW: Read this study that advocates eating lots of icecream and chocolate in situations like these

[mumoverseas]

The feb bumps is in the ante-natal groups
thread is due Fab Feb 2009 holy shit this is it (or along those lines) despite our title we are a lovely bunch off ladies, all due in Feb (one early arrival already)
come on over girls and have a whine about SPD and a variety of other aches and pains