tightenings over top of bump

[Unbuffy]

I am 40+2 with no.2 but dd1 was elcs for late diagnosed breech so I have no idea about labour pains or anything! I keep getting tightening/stretching type pains accross the top of my bump - really quite painfully and frequently. I am also getting lots of lower 'period' pains (presumably Braxtons as they have been going on for much longer?)

So at the risk of another 'is this labour' thread, does anyone have any ideas? Is it just baby getting bigger and hitting my ribs - still seems quite high and not engaged as far as I can tell - or is it Something Else?

[TitianTinselTemptress]

Ooh! Marking my place, I love a good labour thread! Sounds like it could be promising, keep as active as you can. How are you feeling in yourself?

[lia66]

sounds like early labour to me buffy

Jump haha into the bath, if it's bh, they will probably stop, if it's labour, they may slow down for a bit, but will start again.

If you are uncomfortable, you can take paracetamol for now, and tr and have a little sleep after your bath as you will hopefully need your energy in the not too sdistant future.

No reason to rush into hosp yet, is dh local and do you have childcare sorted?

[lia66]

and subsequent babies don't often engage until into labour as there is more space in the pelvis, so babe being not engaged is not a reliable sign. :)

[japhrimel]

I've been getting bouts of these for over a week and still nothing. My NCT leader said that until it's regular, repetitive contractions that start off quite short and spread out but get progressively longer, closer together and more painful, it doesn't really count.

Oh and try doing something different. E.g. if you've been resting, try moving around, but if you've been moving around, try going to bed and lying on your left side. Or try a bath. BH tend to stop if you change what you're doing, but labour won't.

[Unbuffy]

Dh currently at work, will be home soon, after his meeting finishes . Childcare involves a neighbour and my mum who lives 2 1/2 hours away - but don't want to call her in until the last minute as she's a pain (lovely, but a pain and liable to panic me). Neighbour will sit until she arrives if neccessary. I don't want to go into hospital until I have to as it's an hour away and I don't want to be sent away again!

Should I start timings or anything? I have so little idea what to do! I am feeling very restless and ants-in-me-pantsy, but then have been for days... Also v emotional...

[lia66]

buffy where is dc1 at the mo, (forget how old she is)

Don't worry about timings, they are not so important, what is important is how you feel and how things change, ie tightenings that you can distract yourself from, talk through or maybe a little breathing to bit later when you are no longer able to distract, want to or are able to talk through them.

Drink plenty, not sips but proper drinks, eat something slow release, couscous or something, go to toilet plenty and keep bladder empry sobaby can descend nicely when he/she is ready

Also pop a pad on if you feel pressure or a bit leaky, just saves you clothes slightly if waters go.

Pop on a funny laugh out loud programme get those endorphins flowing but for now try and rest.

Will be watching you.

Have you told them on the thread?

[lia66]

are you gonna use tens or anything at home?

[japhrimel]

If they're regular enough to time, then definitely start timing them IMO. You shouldn't need to leave for hospital until you're getting 3 contractions in 10 minutes, with each contraction lasting at least 45 seconds though.

If you're really not sure whether they're "proper" ctx I wouldn't worry about organising childcare yet - you could be at home for a long while and if your Mum is anything like mine, the last thing you'll want is to be having to deal with ctx at home with your Mum there!

[Unbuffy]

Thank you ladies! dd is currently having her nap (so I have computer / 'me' time - hoorah!). Have got up and moved around from sitting down (made mince pies from the pastry & mincemeat i made up this morning) and no change... so will wait and see what happens next - will try to keep you updated! Have no tens but hypnowotsit, relaxation, baths and big big bouncy ball all indicated!

Japhrimel I agree re mother - she even offered to go into hospital with me and leave dh at home with dd [screaming horror emoticon]. But she had 4 children, 4 sections and has never gone into labour sooooooo... at your nct btw - surely even if not regular etc they are still doing SOMETHING?!

[lia66]

yes they are doing something, don't forget that before you can start dliating at all, your cervix has to shorten and thin so that it is fully effaced, then it starts dilating.

All this is leading to meeting your baby, I promise you, :)

[clareanna]

[sparklyrainbow]

oooh, good luck Buffs, all sounds promising! :)

[thefirstMrsDeVere]

They are not BH cos they dont really hurt as such. Periody cramps definately sign of something happening.

I had DC5 7 mths ago. I couldnt tell I was in labour because it was all stoppy and starty which was unlike my others. Felt a right twit. Once those periody pains started I knew something was going to happen though.

Exciting YAY, love a labour thread

[thefirstMrsDeVere]

Yes agree they are doing something! It may be you take a long while to dilate to 2-3 cm and then go like a rocket after that.

That happened to me twice. I was ready the second time even if the midwives wernt

[Magic8ballhastheanswers]

GO Buffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxxx

[HappyGirl1]

Best of luck Unbuffy I'm sooooooooo excited for u! It's totally brightened up my snowed in afternoon! Let us know when u can!

[Meita]

all the bestest unbuffy!

[Gi1da]

Oooooooooooo Unbuffy all the best lovely. Hope DH is on his way. Keep calm and put on some Humph to take your mind off things! Am bouncing on my ball with sympathetic excitement

[AlbaDeTamble]

No posts all afternoon! You must be busy... joining the others cheering you on , very best of luck

[Unbuffy]

Have just spoken to midwife. Reaction: 'hmm, could go either way, might all stop, might go into proper labour'. Helpful. Have to wait and see I suppose, don't hold your breath...

Dh now home and logging times - his version of being involved atm! This is where it all tails off...

[japhrimel]

Good luck! Hope it doesn't peter out.

[lia66]

Ok, am back :)

So once little dd is in bed you will be able to relax and let go fully. Dh is there holding your hand, we are all here being nosy virtually holding your hand :)

As much as poss, just go about your normal evening routine, drinking and eating still apply, as does plenty toilet trips.

Nice warm bath, have you some nice lavendar or such like oil, or clary sage to pop in?

Nice relaxing massage, mw is right, could go either way but if things do slow down, please try not to get despondant, this little one has to be born and it's nice for things to sart off gently.

My dh is away till Thursday so will be mning alone all evening

has your dh discovered ctx timer on internet? but still very important to keep eye on how you feel as opposed to how often etc ctx are as you may have higher pain threshold than you are aware as you haven't laboured as such before.

Am at you, can't wait for mine to be over.

alba how goes it today? x

[AlbaDeTamble]

Hi Lia, all good here, will be sure not to go into labour at least till you've finshed holding Unbuffy's hand!

Very excited for you Unbuffy! Will be checking in for updates

[Unbuffy]

Thanks everyone - support really really helpful, all very new and confusing for ickle brian! Also it feels very sorta lonely at this point...

Have put dd to bed and have just got out of nice hot bath. mmmm. Bath has not stopped 'em! Pain not too bad (this is mainly what is confusing me!) - have had worse periods / full on gastroenteritis in the past - so suspect I may have quite a high pain threshold. Mw seemed to think that ctx going on too long (??) - about 45sec every 10min (??)