Someone please explain before I go crazy

[mammytoonebabyboy]

I've been in early labour for weeks. On Monday baby was 4/5ths engaged, walked 12 miles and on Wednesday he was 2/5ths. Sunday I wasn't dilated but haven't been checked since. Seen 3 doctors, my consultant, my midwife and a different midwife and they've all said he won't be long, he'll be here within a week, maybe a week and a half at max but I'm not holding my breath. I've been having regular contractions, however they needed 3 contractions in 10 minutes to admit me and I was having 2 in 10 and 3 in 13 minutes on Wednesday. Doctor said to keep walking like mad to keep bringing it on. Yesterday I bounced on the ball like I've never bounced before, I walked, I stood and rocked my hips for an hour, and the pains got worse which is what I'm going for. I was about to phone the labour ward but I was still having 3 contractions in 13 minutes and I even though the pain was worse, I didn't want to go all the way down there for them to say I needed one more contraction to be admited so I thought today I'm gunna walk like hell to bring it down to 3 in 10. Today, the pains are still there but when I get the pains, I don't tighten or I only tighten low down and not all over. When I tighten, I don't always get the pains. I'm SO confused. The pains are timetable every 3-4 minutes, I just don't understand why when I do tighten they don't hurt and when I am in pain, they don't tighten. Anyone else got any advice or experience?? My midwife said that's just how early stages of labour is so I have no idea what's going on

[DirtyDancing]

Gosh Mammy. That must be exhausting. Have they monitored the baby? What's your due date/ how many weeks are you?

[mammytoonebabyboy]

I'm only 38 weeks, I have a really big baby, was measuring 8lb at 35 weeks (I know growth scans can be off) so the doctor wants him out sooner rather than later otherwise I'll have a c section at 40 weeks x

[MrsCharlieD]

It does sound to me more like Braxton hicks contractions. Some people do get them quite strongly, mine were uncomfortable and I felt tightening with each one. Have you had a sweep or lost any plug yet? I feel for you I really do.

[NabobsFromNobHill]

If you weren't dilated on Sunday, you weren't in early labour at all, and so haven't been for weeks. No dilation; no labour.

[furlinedsheepskinjacket]

i had these contractions with my second but they only lasted a few hours before it went into full on painful ones

the nurses didn't think i was in full labour at all

my dd was born with cord round her neck....i don't want to worry you at all but i did wonder if this is why i had these weird weak contractions

is there any chance you could get scanned or checked out?

good luck

[DirtyDancing]

Agree with the above could be Braxton Hicks, but I would possibly be asking to get scanned or checked especially if they suspect you are having a big baby

[rachyconks]

I had this for 4/5 weeks before DS was born. Bracton Hicks, very frustrating. To the point when I went into labour for real, I didn't believe it was happening, then the plug came away. DS was also big, 9lb 10oz. Long labour, but not bad. Water birth, no pain relief etc. Don't be goaded into a csection unless you feel it's right for you. Growth scans are notoriously wrong.

[mammytoonebabyboy]

I meant to say wasn't dilated more, like I wasn't dilated anymore than I was when I last got checked.

I was monitored Wednesday and he was fine, he's kicking normally and the midwife just said the pains are normal

[needtogiveitablow]

I could have written this exact post - I'm 37+5 and have been in early labour for a week now - I was told on Sunday by a consultant to expect my baby within 2-3 days and every day I end up having really painful contractions for a few hours that just stop abruptly. I'm just trying to tell myself that it really won't be long in the grand scheme of things but I feel your frustration with this one!