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Original poster

Will labour ever start?

21 replies

thepoppy · 19/05/2006 11:30

I started getting latent labour contractions about 3 weeks ago. Two weeks ago today I had a show, and then 2 days of much more intense contractions, then it all stopped. I've had next to nothing, other than strong BH every now and then and a few hours of contractions every 5-10 mins at a time since. I'm not due until tomorrow, but this waiting and stop start is really getting me down.
I feel really tired and my family all say, well you won't be going into labour until you're energetic!

I'm getting sick of the daily phonecalls from everyone checking that I'm still intact. It's really not helping me.
After 8 months of hyperemesis and zofran I really can't be doing with this any more.
Sorry it's such a long rant! Has anyone got any advice or anything to help?

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PinkTulips · 19/05/2006 11:39

my labour took forever to get going too, about a week of on-off contractions before i went into established labour, then 18 hours of 2-3min contractions which did f-all until the midwife broke my waters.

have you tried all the little tricks; rasberry leaf tea, clary sage oil, spicy food, sex? if nothing else they make you feel like your doing something proactive. i went for a lovely long walk on the beach and went into established labour that night, not sure it helped but it got me out of the house doing something at least. squatting is supposed to help too as it encourages baby to drop further down and stretches your cervix or something along those lines!

HTH, good luck

Original poster

thepoppy · 19/05/2006 11:49

Thanks pink tulips, tried all the little tricks, going out for a curry tonight, so fingers crossed it'll do the trick this time! Walking seems to get things going, but then it dies down again after a few hours.

Looks like I'll be spending the day squatting!

OP posts:

PinkTulips · 19/05/2006 11:52

have fun

mousiemousie · 19/05/2006 11:53

accupuncture is meant to do the trick

Original poster

thepoppy · 19/05/2006 12:08

Think I'll get onto google to find someone local. Thanks mousie

OP posts:

bubbles28 · 19/05/2006 12:28

Thought I'd just add in here, hopr that's okay..... I am finding myself in a similar position having spent the last two days feeling 'fluey' or 'Pre-Menstrual like'..... had lots of strong Braxton Hicks thet seemed to be getting regular and increasingly uncomfortable. I had a Reflexology treatment yesterday and the Therapist seemed to feel quite strongly that Labour is imminent (she said Saturday!!!!!) But this morning i'm not so sure and Braxton Hicks seem to have stopped.....
I still think it's definitely trying Reflexology though, I have heard several reports of it being VERY effective and as you said you're feeling tired and probably quite stressed(??!) it will give you an energy boost..... and make you feel nice and relaxed..........
Hope it helps.....

bubbles28 · 19/05/2006 12:29

.....Sorry..... meant to say 'definitely worth trying Reflexology.....

hotmama · 19/05/2006 12:33

I tried everything and was late both times! With dd2 I thought I was starting off weeks before she eventually came. I was eventually booked to be induced in the afternoon and she started naturally in the morning - think it was fear!

IME - it'll happen when it happens - for me nothing kickstarted labour - not what you want to hear - but your lo will be here eventually.

Original poster

thepoppy · 19/05/2006 12:40

Hi Bubbles, I've been having that fluey feeling. I think I'd prefer reflexology over acupuncture (eurgh needles!) and I do quite like reflexology.

I'm definitely not going down the castor oil route! :)

I hope things get going for you this weekend bubbles.

OP posts:

bubbles28 · 19/05/2006 12:42

..... and you Poppy

mousiemousie · 19/05/2006 13:36

hope you have success with the accupuncture - my osteopath reckons it always works! Report back and let us know!

sniff · 19/05/2006 13:46

I am in same position DH even took the day off yesterday convinced I was going to go into labour I am fully engaged, fully uncomfy,over 1 cm dilated getting braxton hicks baby has slowed down a bit but nothing else and the twinges really hurt I feel fluey too and exhausted I want my baby now!!!!!

good luck I will keep everything crossed for you x

Original poster

thepoppy · 19/05/2006 13:57

There seems to be quite a few of us in the same boat. My DH came rushing home from work two weeks ago today. He was so embarrased when he went back into work on the monday. Why don't the books, MWs and consultants warn us that it can take so long and make you feel so crappy?
I've been in touch with my local alt. therapy clinic and waiting to hear when they can fit me in! They do reflexology, acupuncture and acupressure, so fingers crossed!

OP posts:

Rianna · 19/05/2006 17:36

No, no advice...has sort of the same thing, and my imlaws kept saying how useless the doctor wa sin predicting the labour..it came a week alte ( other two were early) have finished all Maeve Binchy's...and my mothe rin-lwas ' try running the stairs...aaargh I had B-H for weeks and show three weeks before, but then when I decided I refused to be induced, there the baby was... teh day I was supossed to be induced.Darling it won't be longer then a week ,, or two if you refuse induction, from now on...
really this baby will come.Not true you will laugh about it later...am still traumatised and dread the waiting more then labour ;-)

Original poster

thepoppy · 20/05/2006 14:17

The curry didn't work last night :( But at least it was very tasty and all DHs colleagues were watching my every move because they thought that the first mouthful would make the baby come shooting straight out!
I've got the reflexologist booked for Tuesday evening, and a sweep with the MW on Weds (if I decide to go ahead) so fingers crossed, littlun'll only be a few days late!

OP posts:

PinkTulips · 20/05/2006 14:20

if you want to get a head start on the reflexology, rubbing the ball of your big toe quite deeply in a clockwise direction with clary sage oil might help, it's relaxing if nothing else

got my fingers crossed for you love, nothings worse than the waiting.

wilbur · 20/05/2006 14:25

Can you get out and go to the cinema or something? Just to take your mind off it at least? It's so boring this bit - I feel for you. I'm sure it will happen soon - good luck!

Original poster

thepoppy · 21/05/2006 09:34

Thanks Pink Tulips and Wilbur. I think I'm going to spend today shopping and maybe go to the cinema afterwards if I've got any money left :o.
Baby's barely moved today, and my bump's even lower, so hopefully things should happen quite soon.

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Original poster

thepoppy · 24/05/2006 17:23

Well, the reflexology didn't start anything, and the sweep this morning was really uncomfortable but everything calmed down. Only the MW managed to accidentally rupture my membranes , so now the clock's started. I've got until Friday morning and then I've got to go in to be induced.

OP posts:

MummyToToby · 08/06/2006 13:17

probably a really sily question, but when you are near labour does the baby still move around as much?

Original poster

thepoppy · 11/06/2006 15:01

when Jr was engaged then he didn't move about as much, but I still got lots of movements. Hope this helps.

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