Due in October 2012 - Part 9...the final few waddling uncomfortably and hoping things start moving soon!

[Kyyria]

Just getting us sorted with a (hopefully) final thread before we all decamp to the PN thread!!

I hope that worked. Mikey it sounds like baby could just fall out...

thanks lisbeth! Hmmm we'll see. Got a reflexology appointment and specialist pregnancy massage i couldn't resist booked in an hours time, and another stretch and sweep at 2.30. If that doesn't work, I don't know what will!! This baby really is staying put. I thought it was all go yesterday, contractions alll day, regular, but far apart. All stopped overnight though, sucks!!
Why do complete strangers feel it necessary to tell me to have lots of sex? I mean, I'm no prude, but really, I've had more sex this last two weeks than i've had in my entire 9 months of pregnancy, but am I going to tell strangers this?! NO!

Oooh reflexology and pregnancy massage sounds great! Hope you enjoy. Pregnancy and having a small baby does seem to make complete strangers feel they have a right to make intensely personal comments - I always smile, nod and go "hmmmm" to them but inwardly fume!

oh mickey, it's such an arse being late...i had no signs if impending labor, but i think all the on/off contractions would have been worse - i just resigned myself to induction, but all that stop/starting would have done my head in. thinking of u, chook

ok so i need to rant. and whinge. my reflexology was lovely by the way- i highly recommend as a post-birth treat, for all you ladies. I fell asleep. For an hour! It was the most relaxing hour everrr.

Anyway. Sorry I'm going to be a moaning-minny and all self-absorbed, please do ignore me, I will feel better tomorrow.
I had my fourth sweep today. As to wether it works, I can't say, but there we go. I've been booked in for an induction next tuesday. The midwife today said that it would involve a pessary, etc etc. I asked if it would be possible to just have my waters broken- i'm 4cm dilated right? Surely that would just be quicker. Rather than keeping me in hospital for nearly two days because it could take so long. She said that it was my choice, but it would be so much more intense and so much more painful, and did I not want a gradual build up to labour?
I can understand her point, but I'm so fed up with being pregnant I don't care what way it comes out now.
Anyway. Then she tells me that my cervix (good talking midget) is all ready to go really, but the baby's head isnt tucked in properly and so isn't low enough, which is why it hasn't come yet, because there isn't enough pressure on the cervix to cause contractions. (I think, this is what I gather).

It sounds so stupid I know. On one hand I want to have my baby now, please, so we can have a cuddle and start being a family, but on the other hand I don't think I want to be induced at all, and will I really get a choice between breaking my waters and a pessary? I have no idea which would be best and less traumatic (pain isn't really bothering me, its all gonna hurt right?).
I feel like such a failure already. And surely that shouldn't happen until after I've had the baby! I've walked every day, I've been bouncing on my ball, been on my hands and knees. Sleep on my left side. Hot curry, sex, hot bath, stern-inner-voice, pineapple, reflexology. You name it. I've done it. At least now I know the problem is the baby's engagement, not my cervix. I've spent all afternoon miserable. Crying. DP isn't home yet. I want a cuddle. And a baby. Is thaat too much to ask?

Sorry everyone. Just feel so rubbish. Come on baby, your deadline is Tuesday.

Oh and also, she wrote in my notes that I was 1-2cm dilated today. not 4. Is it possible to close back up? Because I bloody hope not!!! I hope it was a mistake...

hon, u r not a failure at all. u have grown and carried your baby for 9 months, keeping yourself healthy so baby is healthy too and cuddles will be yours soon. baby decides when labor starts; perhaps he is putting on a few more grams of fat to keep him warm when he comes out. i felt better researching induction so at least i could make informed decisions on my care. there are lots of threads on here about induction. hugs xx

baby the cervix has done it's job. It has listened to me giving it a good talking to. Now it's your turn. Get your bloody head in the right place you little shit darling.

mickey you don't have to be induced and it is your choice how its done. Having gone both routes of induction there isn't a lot in it so don't let them push you into anything. You are doing a cracking job, hang in there lady.

A quick hug for mickey - hang in there, the end is in sight! x

oh my love, you poor poor thing. In no way have you failed. You have done such an amazing job and been incredibly patient. Like beccus says, do some research into induction so you know your choices. I don't know much about it but in both of my labours I have been suprised at how much the pain increased once my labours broke. I kept asking them to do it for me before i was fully dilated and my midwife encouraged me to just wait it out and let them break themselves. They only broke shortly before i started pushing and for this I am grateful! So, i would maybe allow yourself a steadier build up.

Good luck to you my lovely. We are here for you any time. xxx

Oh Mickey please don't feel like a failure. Everyone's body is different. I got to 4cm dilated after nearly 3 days of painful back labour (I was unlucky)... but didn't progress from there because the baby's head STILL wasn't properly engaged. Apparently it's likely to be because I had quite strong abdominal muscles which kept her high up. I walked miles everyday and bounced on the ball trying to shift her for several weeks too. She didn't actually engage until I started pushing!

I'm not too familiar with induction so can't give you any advice there. I ended up on a drip to speed up my labour- ie to make my contractions much stronger, but I had already had an epidural. However it was then that I finally felt proper contractions- ie the really strong tightening in my abdomen. I asked them not to top up my epidural so I could feel the strong contractions and deal with them using the gas and air. These induced contractions were much nicer that the ones in early labour. Yes they were strong, but they felt like my body was doing what it should rather than giving me back pain for no reason. It felt great that things were finally moving the way they should be. A couple of hours later I was at 10cm. My advice would be keep an open mind as there is some clarity in the intensity of the moment during labour. Like you say, you just want the baby out safely now and the journey isn't as important as the result.

Oh, another piece of advice- get on the gas and air. It's bloody lovely. Took me right back to my stoner days. What a shame I wasn't handling my pain that well or I would have really enjoyed it.

I still think your patience will pay off and once you are in active labour, it's likely to be quicker and easier because your body has been preparing so well in advance by getting your cervix all ready to go.

You are so nearly there, love. We're all excited to see you on the postnatal thread moaning with us about the sleepless nights very soon. Whatever happens, there's a maximum of just a couple of days to go now.

Mikey to say you are not a failure is such an understatement!!! the fact that you are not bordeline sobbing all the time is an achievement IMO. (Cos I was).

I can't really advise because I had more the ignorance is bliss approach. I think I got into that zone while TTC (trying to conceive) - a world full of mis information
FACT: It is not known what causes labour so curry/sex/etc are all old wives tales, but harmless and you have to eat something .

I think once your waters break you are on a clock - the baby's sterile environment has been compromised.
I haven't a clue beyond that - I was induced twice. Once waters broke and I am not really sure why second time. And both babies are fine. I needed a few stitches with DS1 and none with DS2.
Good luck whichever you choose

Thanks girls. As expected, i feel much better about it today. If i am given the choice (i have been told i will be so thats something) i am going to have my waters broken. I know it will be quicker and more intense but at the same time the pain will be the same if i have the pessary- it'll just take longer to get there. I feel much more positive about it today. Theres still time for baby to come naturally and i am at least guaranteed a baby by tuesday. I know i could refuse induction if i want to but i am so fed up of being pregnant... And i just want snuggles with my little boy/girl now!! Everythings ready and DP is so excited now. Its lovely. Thankyou all so much for listening to my whinging, for all ypur support. I dont know how i would have got through these 9months without you!!!!! I hope you are all well, and not suffering too much. Xxxxxxx

Hey Mickey, hopefully you are in hospital and painlessly squeezing out a beautiful baby as we speak, but if not I wanted to say, I think it is possible to go backwards in terms of dilation as it happened to me in active labour (must post birth story one day. Not terribly exciting though...).
It happened because my contractions got weaker, (because in my case baby had turned back to back so head wasn't lined up and cervix caught, so pushing ineffectual and both of us getting tired) I would imagine this is fairly common in early labour with on off contractions, so please don't feel a failure.
On a positive note, doc said it would be much quicker to dilate again as cervix had already been there IYSWIM.
Just keep in mind that a slow build up can be better for baby, as they can become distressed if things move too quickly.
Hope all goes well for you, whatever route you (or baby) decide to go down.
Will be thinking of you.

Mickey, just sending you an early morning hug, you have done so well, glad you are feeling better, excited for you that you will finally get to meet your baby very soon!

thats what i would go for mikey - anything to get things happening...

Mickey hello!! Sorry I hav not popped in as totally self absorbed due to stupid annoying things! Perhaps u are pushing baby out as I type and I am so too late!!! Just want to send you love, hugs and support. This bubs is keeping you waiting but neatly there pet.

See you on the other thread real soon! Xx

Go mickey. Thinking of you and making a nice comfy place for you on the sofa on the other thread.