How long after your show did you go into labour ?

[puffylovett]

Had a jelly like (TMI sorry !) clear show yesterday about half 3, then loads pressure and achey back / tummy all evening.... however, I had a sweep on friday so am just wondering if it's the after effects of that ?

Am 42+1 by scan dates and now into expectant management. But only 41+2 by my conception dates... have a post dates homebirth signed off as long as my BP can stay stable and I'm suffering from dreadful white coat syndrome at the moment !! Everytime anyone comes near me with a BP cuff I start shaking and panicking, which isn't helping matters

I desperately want to meet this baby now, I just want the stress of holding off induction and monitoring and now worrying about possible pre eclampsia etc over and done with, to have a natural labour and birth like I did before and just hold my new LO and snuggle it.

I'm feeling very down today, it strikes me this is a very depressive post, sorry !

[belgo]

Poor you, isn't it incredible how the fear of an induction can actually make you more worried and stressed out.

The show you had combined with the pressure and achiness are very good signs!

Is there anything you can do today to take your mind off of all this worry?

[rubyslippers]

poor you (am 39 weeks and desperate to have my baby too)

with DS1 i had a show and then 2 days later wnet into labour

[belgo]

Ruby already 39weeks! I remember when you got that thread deleted because you let slip you were pregnant - that seems just like a few weeks ago, not 7 months ago!

[puffylovett]

and knowing that stress inhibits oxytocin production doesn't help either !! I'm off to the hospital in a bit for CTG & to hand in 24 hr urine sample, then I'm thinking I may play devils advocate and go to my mums (40 mins from home) for the rest of the day. I can't hang around at home waiting to start, apart from anything else - I'm fed up of cleaning

I'm in two minds wether to request another sweep. On the one hand, it may encourage things along - on the other hand, it's still intervention into what sbould be a natural process, isn't it.... but I suppose if it increases my chances of birthing at home sooner, it's worth a try ? Ohhhhhhh someone tell me what to do

[rubyslippers]

oh yes - !

TBH,these last 2 weeks feel like months ... am so impatient but i think this one is very comfortable in here

[rubyslippers]

deffo go to your mums - a change of scenery may help

discuss the sweep with your MW - if things are more favourable it may give you a real kick start

[puffylovett]

i think i will do exactly that, thanks ruby. better a sweep than full on induction.

It's horrid waiting these last few weeks isn't it - I don't know whats worse, the last few weeks or the first 2 waiting to find out if you've conceived... I hope yours arrives soon so you don't have this interminable waiting

[rubyslippers]

good luck too puffy - hope to see your BA soon

[belgo]

yes good luck puffy - and as Lulumama would say, sex and nipple twitching to encourage things to happen!

[FanjolinaJolie]

17 days for me, sorry to say.

But then DD was born on due date + 1 so the show must have been early for whatever reason.

I was really narked as I thought she was going to be 2.5 weeks early which would have been a welcome end to the pregnancy!

With dd2 I lost my show during labour.

So both ends of the scale.

Just realised that was completely unhelpful.

[puffylovett]

Not really - it just goes to show that baby will come when ready

Well -- sweep performed, I am 2cm dilated and almost fully effaced so things are looking positive, right ? She said they could easily break my waters if needed. (which I don't want)

On the other hand, 1st BP reading 140/98 so high, 2nd back down within normal levels so the doc is still recommending induction thursday if BP not settled

Am really hoping this sweep has done the trick and gets baby moving by wednesday, I so desperately don't want to birth in a hospital strapped to a monitor - it's my worst fear and the thought just sends me into an irrational panic - which can't be good for the baby can it.

I just feel like my body is failing me at the moment... it's designed to give birth, baby is happy, very active, I'm healthy and fit and yet my BP is bouncing around due to stress and anxiety

[Boobz]

Good luck puffy! I had a show at 11am in the morning and went into labour at 4pm that same day (but then took 4 days for blimmin baby to come out...) Had a lovely homebirth in the end (think I saw you on the homebirth thread?) so good luck I hope you get one too xxx

[belgo]

Puffy - you're body is not failing - in fact the chances are you might go into labour very soon. 2cm dilated, fully effaced, that's a lot of work your body has already done! And for some women it's very normal for blood pressure to go up shortly before the labour starts - that's what happened to me bp 140/95 or so just before labour.

Don't lose courage. Good luck!

[belgo]

your not you're!

[puffylovett]

thanks guys...

belgo - was yours up for a few days ? my acupuncturist thinks it can be normal, too - to elevate just before labour...

Yes boobz I'm on the homebirth thread, I remember you are the legend

Weeeelll.. too early to tell but I think I've had 3 mild contractions in the last half hour... fingers crossed

[puffylovett]

So much for the contractions

Have had another show, brown mucus, anybody know if that's normal ?

[Deeeja]

That is perfectly normal. I think you are getting closer to going into labour.
I have been having stupid contractions for weeks now. Last night was awful and have hardly had any sleep, feel a total zombie, am a week overdue now, and beginning to give up on having this baby.
I hope this gets you nearer, you will probably have yours before me. Not that it is a race or anything

[belgo]

Hope you are alright Puffy. A brown show is normal, old blood, meaning that the cervix is getting more ready for the real thing.

[belgo]

you too Deeja

[puffylovett]

Ah deeja . I've been lurking the other childbirth threads and seen your frustration. It's awful isn't it.

As for me, have been having mild contractions for the last couple of days but nothing major. Bit more intense this evening but not regular.

It looks like my precious homebirth is out of the window though . BP persistently elevated in clinic environment so they want me to deliver in hospital. They're pushing for induction on thursday but I'd rather hold out for a natural labour. Even if it means I have to go in. I'm so so stressed - completely the opposite of how I need to be for the entire labour process . It's just shit.