Stuck in a Pre labour limbo. Anyone else going through similar?

[TinyDiamond]

Am 38+4 been contracting mildly on and off since Wednesday. Daytimes are mainly bearable but at night things crank up a notch. Currently trying to rest just taken 2 paracetamol they haven't helped yet. Contractions are sort of regular but I haven't really been timing them as they just fizzle out after a few hours.
Anyone else I can pass the time chatting to or compare notes? Have heard this can go on for weeks (great)

[DMS0311]

Hi TinyDiamond. I'm 39+3 and have been having tightenings since Wednesday evening. SO frustrated as can't get them to stay or get stronger (despite bouncing on my ball, walking, cleaning floor, eating curry etc). I know I should be more patient as bigger baby usually equals healthier baby - but I've been waiting 9 months now and want her/him here NOW!
(And fed up of not being able to sleep properly!)

[PeterSpanswick]

Same here, only 36+6 with my second but been having contractions and sickening back pain on and off for the last week. Nothing much seems to be happening so not too worried yet but had back labour last time and it was horrible so fingers crossed this isn't a sign of things to come!

[tiokiko]

This started for me at 41w and I had it for 3.5 days before going into hosp - contractions didn't really get more painful than at the start, they did get more frequent but didn't get properly regular, were anywhere from 1 to 10 mins apart when I went into hosp. I was 4cm when I went in and had DD about 7hrs later.

I was worried I would be too tired to labour/push properly by the time I got into hosp but it was OK. I found birth much better than I'd expected, contractions got more frequent but not actually more painful. Used G&A at 8cm and apart from TENS that was it.

Maybe the slow/pre-labour helped ease my body into it more as there was no sudden shock of full-on labour? I put my TENS machine on as soon as I felt the first twinges and found it really helpful.

Try to rest/relax as much as you can - being active is good in one way but if this is going to go on for a while you'll be worn out. Hopefully it won't last too long - good luck!

[TinyDiamond]

Am still lying in bed but the cramps are most definitely still there. I am taking the advice of others to rest rest rest rather than going out walking miles as I'm going to need all the energy I can get. Feeling even more rubbish today as fell out with DP last night as his parents came round after I'd already gone to bed as was feeling crap. Really wanted to just hide away and be on my own but he just wouldn't respect that and kept allowing them to come up to knock on bedroom door to try and see me. I'm just about to have a baby ffs let me have some space!! Have heard its normal to get very antisocial in the lead up to things though. I mean I feel crap and I look crap so why on earth would I want visitors!

[BellaBells]

I'm also a member of this club. But mine started about 2 weeks ago, consistent regular contractions but C&W stopped the contractions as didn't want me to labour at 34 weeks. The labour stopped at 1cm dilated but contractions reappeared after 2 days and have been making an appearance ever since, but haven't dilated further. Im now 36 weeks and am having such painful contractions that dr put me on some super strong pain killers. Ive now been told if at 37 weeks in still not coping I will be given my c section early (was planned one anyway due to health reasons). My DP doesn't seem to quite understand 'it can't be that painful if your not actually in labour'... Love his sympathy.

[Greige]

I've had this since 37 weeks, I'm now 40+6 and fed up to my back teeth. I had an antenatal at 40+1 and baby was fully engaged, I was dilating and everything was ready to go.
The doc gave me a membrane sweep to hurry things along a bit and that seems to have stopped everything in its tracks. The baby climbed out of my pelvis, as high under my ribs as he could get and is refusing to budge. Apart from the odd twinge, the pain has stopped.
I'm booked for induction on Friday but am spending as much time as I can on the gym ball cos I don't think I can last that long. Its the waiting around that I find the hardest. I can't do anything, even arrangements for my DD to go play with friends can't be made in advance. She's currently watching the entire Disney back catalogue
I never thought I would be looking forward to being in agony so much!
PS sorry for the essay, but I could rant all day if I was let!

[MrsBB1982]

Glad I'm not on my own
40+1 and been getting uncomfortable/painful cramps and back pain since 38 weeks so getting thoroughly fed up now.
Tiny diamond - mine also seem to be worse at night so I don't sleep then fizzle out in the day.

When will this baby come out. I'm with you Griege - never thought I'd look forward to being in pain!!!

[TinyDiamond]

Haven't really been cramping since I got up for the day today spent hours making 4 different varieties of soup for the freezer and was generally feeling fine. However just had a bath and a cup of rasp leaf tea and now I feel horrendously nauseous and weak so I think it may be back to bed for a lie down shortly.
I am getting fed up to an extent am fine if I can get out and about to do the stuff I keep planning to keep busy but more often than not now I'm having to cancel things as feel too unwell to go. Inevitably though as soon as I cancel something I'll feel much better soon afterwards!
What have you all been doing to keep busy?
As I said today been on a mad soup mission. Tomorrow planning to meet friends at a baby group in the morning followed by lunch then home in the afternoon. Am wary to travel too far from home though

[MrsBB1982]

Also cooking in bulk for the freezer. Cleaned the house. Washed the baby stuff. Been out for lunch. But the vast majority of my time is spent lounging around because every time I do something it wipes me out for hours

So incredibly bored

[lucindapie]

I'm so glad I found this thread! Just got out of bed as I can't sleep from the mild contractions I've been having for the past week and a half. I'm now 39 +1.
Tiny Diamond, I can't believe your in laws tried to disturb you when you were trying to rest, that's so rude! And I have to say, I think that rasberry tea makes keeps making me sick too, but I must keep drinking it.
I also feel really bored, and I haven't been bored since being a child, I usuually love reading and having lots of time to myself, but now it's so hard to concentrate on anything. I'm not really trying anything to hurry the birth on as not convinced it really works, the baby will come eventually, and I want to be well rested rather than exhausted from walking etc.
How is everyone feeling? I hope we all progress to real labour soon!

[TinyDiamond]

Im not bored as such there's loads of things I still want to do and have plenty of friends who are off too who are happy to meet up. It's the sheer exhaustion that's annoying me. I WANT to do things my body just won't let me!
Now I can't sleep. Been glued to the news for hours. Any of you in London and having any trouble where you live?

[Gumps]

Can I join in? Only 35+4. Ut was kept in overnight last Thursday as I was having contractions. They stopped overnight but I have been in pain ever since. On/off tightening which wake me up at night and are at the bottom of my bump and in my back, bh at the top of my bump and a general feeling that my body and muscles are completely buffered. This is baby no 3 so you would thinkn I would know what I was doing!
Was very naughty yesterday and went to a herbalist and told her I was 37 weeks and wanted the baby put. She gave me clary sage and some potion to drink. Took one dose and then felt so guilty that i wanted to get the baby out purely for selfish reasons and have not takne anymore.
Feel bad that I am being a crap mother to the other two as my patience is gone. They are obviously sensing things and being little buggers. Thank god mum and dad have taken the put for a few hours.
Also the riots are making me feel extremely emotional.
Is there a full moon coming soon to helpnus all pop them out?!

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Only another week til you're at term Gumps, at least you have peace and quiet while your other 2 are out. What was in the 'potion', do you know?

[Gumps]

Not really sure! God that is so bad. It is a very reputable herbalist but can't believe how I lied so easily.... I think she mentioned juniper... I have googled and I don't think she mentioned the blue herb (sorry can't remember name) that is meant to be quite dangerous.
Very crampy now. Why do I not remember what labour feels like?! Though as they say if you are wondering if it is then it's def not.

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Oh and I'm on this thread as I'm 37+4 with DC2, and wondering if I'm in latent labour.
Symptoms: been having pinching sensations in upper cervix but nothing on uterus as yet.
Think mucous plug is coming away as I've seen white thick matter in the loo after a wee.
Been doing number 2 a lot over the last week which is a huge contrast to the constipation!
Was up last night with D as well but am not ill so hoping that's the body having a clearout in preparation!

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Well I'm sure you'll have not done any damage at this stage! Has anyone tried the reflexology?

[Gumps]

Thanks Sausage. Do believe they will come when ready but it's impossible not to be impatient.
Sounds like things are happening for you. Haven't tried reflexology but it worked for a friend. A foot massage is alway nice though so go for it.
Ds2 was supposed to be a c section at 39 weeks as ds1 was a shoulder dystocia. Was determined not to have it and he came naturally at 37 weeks. I am sure it was mind over matter. I also used clary sage in bath and on bump, was very active and had lots of sex.
Similar situation this time although they are being a bit blasé. I am terrified of getting to term and going through the experience of ds1 again but need to appreciate that 35 is too early. I think it's the thought that thirds can be bigger I am worried about. I am also scared of being at home alone or with just the boys and the baby coming as I have fairly quick labours.
So glad I found this thread it's like therapy writing it all out.

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Clary sage? Will add that to shopping list.

I think you can do the reflexology on yourself (if you can reach), but I got a bit scared reading the instructions as it seemed to suggest it would definitely bring on contractions...I don't mind helping things along but draw the line at a home induction (is that irrational?).

[vvviola]

Oh, I was so glad to find this thread - although I was hoping for stories that it wouldn't last too long!! 36+4 here, with doc 100% happy for baby to come when it wants (DD was born at 36+6 at a healthy 7lbs 13, so doc reckons slightly shorter gestation may be the norm for me). Had horrendous back pain most of yesterday, which changed into contractions last night. Spent about 4 hours timing contractions, got the TENS out, DH put the bags in the car... and then it all stopped.

Doc said today that the baby's head is "very low" but that my cervix was "still at the back" so I wasn't dilating yet (he said he wanted to be sure I wouldn't give birth in the car park on the way out!! ).

Back pain on and off all day, and lovely shooting pains in my cervix(?) and down my legs. Managed a nap this afternoon, and DH has been great at massaging the pains away. But I was kind of hoping that this might be start of something (especially as DD was 6 hours from waters going - which was first sign something was stirring - to birth).

I'm really quite ready to meet this baby now...

[Gumps]

Anyone had a baby yet?
Tmi but had a big lump of clear mucous early. Maybe just discharge/maybe a show.
Maybe if one goes we will all go like dominos!
Vvviola boo for stopping. Get bouncing on a ball and lots of sex to open that cervix.
Sausage I kind of get what you mean. You want to help labour on it's way but not actually start it. I think whatever you do it will only work if you are there a bouts so go for it.

[TinyDiamond]

I think I'm going to have another bath as having pains really low. Feeling sorry for myself again just want to sleep! DP snoring away next to me is not helping!

[vvviola]

I'm actually back in work today. My ML doesn't officially start until Friday, so I dragged myself in today rather than sit at home and wonder about when my back pain might come back.

It's a bit frustrating really - I'm feeling every little poke and jab from the baby, and feel like something should be happening... but nothing.

Maybe getting out and about and moving around a bit might help matters...

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Morning all! Evening primrose oil and a raspberry leaf tea for me this morning. Had a lot of aches last night and a backache this morning but then nada.

Any updates anywhere else?

[MonkeeMummy]

Hi All,
Can I join you lovely ladies...? I'm 39 +1 today, too, and have been waking up at 3/4am every night with contractions for the last few nights. I am now fed up of feeling knackered and cleaning plus I have 2DDs at home and am feeling really guilty for not taking them out, so we're off to a farm park this afternoon. Was suppose to be meeting friends in London tomorrow for lunch and I really want to go but am feeling nervous because we live about an hour's train journey away. Would you go?

[PrincessScrumpy]

Ooooh can I join? I am 33+6w pg with ID twins and had full-on contractions last Thursday night. I went into hospital and they gave me drugs to delay things which worked as my uterus is apparently "irritable" (as am I!) but cervix is staying shut. dd1 was born in 2 hours 5 minutes so I've not had to deal with contractions for such a long period. I was in hospital until Sunday evening and have been told I could stay or go home, either way I need to rest. So mum has taken dd1 to stay with her and I'm at home resting and feeling frustrated.

I don't want the babies to come quite yet but they've had steroids so maybe one more week and then they can arrive. My cs is booked for 3weeks and 2 days time - seems an age away since I thought I was going to meet them at the weekend.