Labour

[Aug12]

Hi everyone,

I am currently 39+6 and yesterday I had my 40 week midwife appointment and a stretch and sweep.

Since the sweep I was getting a little bit of blood mucus when wiping after going to the loo and today I’ve had two much much bigger bloody shows.. I know it’s a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question but I’m really hoping that labour will start soon?

How long after your bloody show did labour begin for you? Currently bouncing on a my birthing ball, going to take the dog for a long walk soon so hoping that will get something to start..

I went into labour at 39+6 last time at 4am when I started having having sore, mild, irregular contractions before I had the sweep a few hours later when I was already 2cm. I got a show a few hours after that. I was stuck in the latent phase for aaaages though because on examination at hospital at 11pm I was still only 3cm even though by then I was already finding the pain unmanageable at home - probably because I was so exhausted having been up since 4am with 4hrs sleep preceding that. My advice is just to try and nap and rest as much as you can now, I regret not doing that because I got too exhausted. Delivery wasn't until 9.30 the following morning, instrumental after 2hrs of pushing.