Right, someone convince me it's not long now...please!

[MidnightinMoscow]

I am 38+3 with DC2. Hoping for a VBAC after an EMCS for DC1 with who I got to 9cm's with.

I have had period cramps for over a week, two lots of plug coming away and last night lots of tight feelings high in my bump. The period like cramps are really painful and often are alongside sharp pains down below.

I have a week to go into labour, otherwise I am booked for a CS. I am so fed up of symptom spotting and being in this 'is it- is it not?' place. I went into labour at 38+4 with DC1.

So someone come along and tell me lie to me that todays the day.

[Joygirl78]

Given your description it seems very likely you will go into labour in the next week before your CS date. Good luck.
I am 37+6 and had first at 37+5. Lots of BH and aches. No show or severe cramps. So wishing it would come soon....

[jammydodger1]

I hope today is the day for you, it sounds like it is, my friend was booked in for enducement and gave birth the day before, the body has marvellous way of doing these things! good luck to you both hugs and for you both!!

[MidnightinMoscow]

Ah love the positive vibes coming my way...thank you!

Joy fingers crossed you are not much longer too.

[Rollerbaby]

Good luck Moscow. Can they give you a sweep or two to help nature along? Also try stairs - I mean lots of them! Really helped me first time around.

[MidnightinMoscow]

Dr's are happy for me to have a sweep from Friday, at 39 weeks. But my MW, won't do sweeps on VBACS. Not sure why, but she's not the most dynamic of MW's.

[Rollerbaby]

That's a bit annoying. So how long will they give you after 39 weeks to go into labour before cs? 38+3 is still early so sweeps might not work now anyway but one or two at 39 might just do the trick. Stairs, sex, and if you're really keen a dose of castor oil in orange juice or really anything to give you diarrhoea. Apparently mw says it sort of sucks everything down and helps start it off. Luckily I didn't need to do that first time but I would have! I'm 38 tomorrow and starting sweeps in a week so let us know how u get on!

[MidnightinMoscow]

Well I am 39 weeks this Friday and then have an ante natel clinic appointment at 39+4. CS will be organised then, although not sure when exactly. Problem is the baby is measuring big, so given I can't have an induction they suggest a CS straight off.

The MW thing is annoying, but there is a total breakdown between what the hospital says and what the MW will do! Part of me thinks though that if things are meant to happen then they will, so have accepted that the sweep won't happen.

Just frustrated that I have all these symptoms, but no action.

[feekerry]

I really hope you'll go into labour soon! I'm 38 weeks today and annoyingly feel the best i've felt. Dont think its going to happen anytime soon. I'm symptom spotting too, so far nothing!x

[rosebery]

Ooh this could have been me writing this 10 days ago! Sounds promising .. and very familiar!

I had 5 days of on-off braxton hicks (or so I thought), and period like pains at night especially. Never regular, not too painful, so didn't think it was more than preparation.

Was peeling the spuds at 8pm on Fri night, waters broke and dc2 arrived an hour later. Just about managed to get to hospital on time!

I was 38+6 with elcs booked a few days later. No time for that though - had a vbac. Very pleased, even if my head took a while to catch up with my body!

Good luck - hope everything starts moving soon.

[MidnightinMoscow]

Oh I am loving that story, how fantastic. Congratulations!

Back from a long walk, baby feels like its about to fall out and I am exhausted.

[Joygirl78]

Argh, literally can't walk now. Have hard pain at te base of my spine/bottom. So flipping uncomfortable. Am hobbling. No cramps though, no show. :(

[MidnightinMoscow]

Sympathies Joy. I am awake with cramps again and period like pain, but I know it's not going to amount to anything.

DS will be up at half five which is when they tend to trail off and then I'd get some sleep. So, so frustrating.

[Joygirl78]

Been awake since 3.30. Bump rock solid and have had some cramps but no show, and not feeling leaky (which is what I had first with DC1 with no other signs and then waters went suddenly). Will pack DD off to child minder, then have reflexology booked thank god. I don't want to be hopeful as yu say probably won't amount to anything, but so hoping

[rosebery]

So feel for you both! Keep going, can't be long now.

Am wondering whether pains for days beforehand = short(ish) labours?? Certainly true in my case, but a sample of one isn't really representative! Keep us posted :)

[MidnightinMoscow]

Thanks rose. A nice short labour would be fab, although my parents live over an hour away so need enough time for them to come over to look after DS.

Joy, how was the reflexology?

[Joygirl78]

Wonderful I dozed and it was heaven. Going again tomorrow for a lower back massage with essential oils - clary sage naturally.
Feel beyond dreadful today. Almost fluey, shaky and weak. Just had an afternoon nap but so hard to get comfy. My hip gets crushed, and I feel very nauseous.
Miight get up now and attempt a walk and some chores. If this is some sort of pre labour then a walk is probably good

[Rollerbaby]

you've inspired me to have some reflexology too. Did it last time and it was good I have to say . Just had a scan and last antenatal and sweeps start on sunday just shy of 39 weeks as the baby is looking like he might be bigger than my first so we're all keen for him to come out! Failing that probable induction later next week... so keen to try anything really

[MidnightinMoscow]

Sounds lovely Joy, hope you enjoy the massage today just as much.

What did they say about the size Roller? I was estimated at 8lb9oz at 37+4, it's probably 20lbs by now!

Well, I really, really thought it was happening last night, had to breath through some of the cramps/contractions and feel so much pressure down below. Went to bed and it all stopped. Am so fed up with this ticking clock feeling, I have less than a week to get it out!

Today was the exact gestation that I went into labour with DS though, so here's hoping.

Hope you are both ok.

[Joygirl78]

Massage today good. She is a qualified aromatherapist and used clary sage, lavender and frankincense blend. Saw GP after who said baby is now totally engaged. I know - I can no longer walk, just waddle!!!!! Really hope it comes soon as it is unlikely to be small (ouch). I've not had estimate, but dd1 was 7.5lb for 3 weeks early and this one has a big fundal measurement.

[fuckityfuckfuckfuck]

I'm going to get dp to give me a massage today too, I got some clarysage and some carrier oil yesterday. I also have that 'head wedged in fanjo' feeling and it took me twice as long to do the school run this morning as I have developed a lovely waddle. Midwife estimated 4/5 engaged on Monday, and scan yesterday showed all was well, so am now as ready as I've been. Failing that I might book some reflexology for the weekend, I had it throughout both previous pregnancies to help with SPD and I swore by it, I've not had the chance to have any this time round though. If nothing else, it always makes me ridiculously relaxed, and my lady does home visits with her own lovely chair and thick blanket to throw over yourself, bliss :) I feel a bit nauseous today and my desperate symptom spotting is seeing this as a sign. And ladies, tomorrow is a full moon, apparently just the thing to bring on labour. (I told dp this yesterday and recieved a massive in response )

[MidnightinMoscow]

Oh, sounds promising to be fully engaged Joy, glad the massage was relaxing.

wave to Fuckity, I can sympathise with the head wedged in fanjo feeling..hideous. You never know witha full moon.

Well, I have walked and walked today and had far less cramps and pains...feel like I am in some sort of reverse labour situation.

[woolly76]

Thanks for the invite midnight, glad im not the only one, totally feel your pain!!!! Its so hirrible being this this inbetween stage, labor on off. Lets hope for the full moon its my due day tomorow as if that means anything!!!! Xx

[Joygirl78]

Ok help, I am SO uncomfortable. I can barely walk, my hips hurt, my pelvis hurts in a piercing way like the front part might get split in 2. I never got to this point with my first. And I am still only just 38 weeks. If I am fully engaged, is baby def going to come real real soon, or could I feasibly be like this for several weeks -ARGH....... Please reassure me. Have had a few cramps, bh and one fairly painful contraction today, but no other imminent signs of labour....,

[MidnightinMoscow]

Can you have a warm bath Joy? Might help with the pain right now. Try not to think about what things will be like in a weeks time. Its as likely that you could have had the baby by then as to still be pregnant.

The cramps that you have had are good signs that things are moving in the right direction.

Fingers crossed for you.

[Joygirl78]

Bounced on ball watching gok wan in china. Now in bed with hot water bottle watching obem