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Childbirth

Do you think this is it

41 replies

Pilki · 11/04/2009 22:47

I am 39+6 today and have been loosing my plug over the last couple of weeks.

Over the last few days been having contractions and period type pains which have lasted for a few hours and then gone away,

Today I went for a walk had a curry etc and have been getting period pains for about three hours along with back ache and irregular contractions which have sort of settled at about 7 mins for the last three,
Thing is although they are uncomfotable and the period pains hurt etc thought it would be more painful than this. SO Im wondering if it's just braxton hicks again

Any advice would be welcome! (it's my first and Im pretty clueless)

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SQUONKAteAllTheEasterEggs · 11/04/2009 22:51

they do start off quite mild, but trust me, they get worse

If you are getting regular contractions, then yes, it sounds like it is IT, but it could still be ages yet.

Are you giving birth in a hospital? and if so, how far away is it?

If it is fairly close, it's okay to wait till they contractions are about 4 -5 minutes apart. Unless you feel that you want some pain relief, in which case you should go in as soon as you are ready.

they often recommend having a bath, trying to get some sleep, doing whatever you can to relax.

Good luck, and keep us posted

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littleducks · 11/04/2009 22:52

if this is it, it will get more painful!

i would try and get some sleep, maybe take a paracetamol if it is uncomfy still

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Pilki · 11/04/2009 22:54

Thanks for the advice
I'm new to mumsnet so thanks for taking the time to reply.

Hospital is about 15 mins from our house, and I really want to be at home as long as possible. Im convinced that it's going to be the same as the other times and stop again soon. So Im putting off doing anything like ringing the midwife etc as I dont want to look like an idiot if they stop.

The contractions are around 7 mins apart sometimes varying by a minute either side so Im not too concerned yet xx

Thanks again for the help

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MegBusset · 11/04/2009 22:57

My labour with DS (my first) started like this. Took about 24 hours for the contractions to kick in properly, during which time I went into hospital but got sent home as I wasn't dilated at all.

I'm afraid it did get a lot more painful before DS was born, some 48 hours later!

If I were you I would get some rest, eat some food if you can, take plenty of fluids, and relax. You can take paracetamol to take the edge off the pain if you like. I would stay at home as long as possible, until you really feel like you need some more pain relief!

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SQUONKAteAllTheEasterEggs · 11/04/2009 22:59

I totally understand how you feel, but please don't worry about sounding an idiot!

They have loads of first time mums who don't really know what to expect, and they will not think you are a numpty if you ring them up - however many times you ring them up.

I do think, though, that you are right to want to stay at home as long as possible, as long as you go in when you feel that you aren't coping, or they become much more frequent.

Also, don't be surprised (or too disappointed) if they do stop, sometimes you need a few false starts before it really gets going.

Again, good luck.

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Pilki · 11/04/2009 23:03

Thanks again Ladies xxx
I'm going to take two paracetemol and see how it goes!!
Depending on the next hour or so will be back on with an update xxx

Thanks for all the help

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surprisenumber3 · 11/04/2009 23:26

good luck Pilki, I am a third time mum and am sitting here thinking is it, isn't it!!

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Pilki · 11/04/2009 23:49

Still up xxx seem to be getting pretty constant period type pains and the contractions are still all over the show!! ranging from 5 upto 10 minutes so Im thinking it's Braxton hicks now xxx

Think I was just getting hopeful as it was my due date tomorrow xx

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surprisenumber3 · 11/04/2009 23:52

I'm still here too Pilki. Mine are about the same but in my back and thighs now too. about every 7-10 minutes but has been going on a while and not getting any worse really.

I am just over 39 weeks.

Good luck x

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Pilki · 11/04/2009 23:54

Good luck to you Surprisenumber3 xxx

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Pilki · 12/04/2009 07:02

Got to bed at around 1.30 and just woke up again with period pains bach ache and the irregular contractions.
Im so fustrated as I still dont think it's the real thing, and I just want to get started if you know what I mean x

Also I guess it's my due date and I really wanted baby out for due date x

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angrypixie · 12/04/2009 07:11

I think you're on your way

You might still be holding a brand new easter bunny at some point today.

Keep us posted and good luck

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georgimama · 12/04/2009 07:15

How are you doing ladies? Hopefully it all kicked off very quickly over night and you're tucking into your NHS tea and toast as I type. My labour with DS started exactly as you describe, he wasn't born until 36 hours after the first contraction kicked in, but it was completely bearable at home until about eight hours before he was born, at which point I decided I wanted to go to hospital and get checked out.

Good luck all will be fine!

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Pilki · 12/04/2009 07:18

Thanks Angrypixie and Georgimama

Still feeling grotty, more like a bad period with irregular contractions, fingers crossed Im too scared (if that doesnt sound to stupid) that this could be the real thing x

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turtle23 · 12/04/2009 07:23

Good luck! Just wanted to echo the rest, eat, drink (and pee!!! remember to pee!!!) thoughts.

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JustKeepSwimmingInChocolate · 12/04/2009 07:32

Ooooh good luck Pilki

& Surprise - how are you doing?

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surprisenumber3 · 12/04/2009 11:27

nothing happening really here. was woken during the night and again at 7.30 am by painful contractions but although still happening aren't so bad now.

how are you Pilki?

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Pilki · 12/04/2009 11:29

just had a bath and washed my hair to see if that made them stop.
It's really strange, still feel like I have period pains still getting irregular contractions and probably wayyyy TMI but my lady area feels like someone has kicked it.

Fingers crossed that something happens soon for us Surprisenumber3

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surprisenumber3 · 12/04/2009 11:31

hope so - am just about to have a shower and then a long walk in the park.

best of luck for today, hope things progress x

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feedthegoat · 12/04/2009 11:38

Definately sounds like how I started. I was like that for about 8 hours before got stonger mind but I was still at home for another 9 hours after that as was ok in and out of bath with a couple of painkillers.

Just for info though I'd get checked if pain is getting really bad even if not regular as mine never did and I was 9 and a half cms when I arrived at hospital. They'd been really dismissive on phone too saying I couldn't be in labour if not regular contractions. I only insisted on going in too as had a show and was abit panicky at sight of blood!

Trust your instincts and best of luck

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surprisenumber3 · 12/04/2009 11:47

With Ds1 I had a planned c/s so no labour. with Ds2 I was 40 weeks, had no signs of labour til waters went with a gush at 8.30 am. Nothing then til contractions started and were regular and painful immediately and he was born a few hours later.

Never had this stopping/starting before so not sure if to go to hosp or not.

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StarlightMcEggzie · 12/04/2009 12:04

Pilki Take heart that a long pre-labour may mean a short active 'painful' labour! Just because you feel like you are going nowhere doesn't mean that yoru contractions aren't doing things to help things along and give you an efficient labour.

Good luck!

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StarlightMcEggzie · 12/04/2009 12:05

Oh, good luck surprise too!

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surprisenumber3 · 12/04/2009 20:27

Hi Pilki - any progression? None here

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MoshiMoshi · 12/04/2009 20:47

sn3 and pilki - good luck with getting going if you are still not in the throes of labour or with an Easter baby in your arms. It is so frustrating isn't it that I hope you can find enough distractions to stop you getting anxious about it all and hindering the process. I am due in a couple of weeks but haven't yet made it to my due date so am assuming (although may be wrong) that the same will happen this time. Of course I will probably go over this time!

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