Due November 09 - 10 days left, who will be next?

[longwayaway]

Last chance for a Scorpio, after this weekend they'll all be Sagittarians!

Not much progress here. MW examined me and the cervix is in a better state than on Sunday. Scored 8/10 on some favourability chart, which I presume is the readiness for labour. So, well done that cervix!

Getting loads of random pains and downward pressure sort of feeling, but no pattern to anything yet. Got told to go out for long walks so that's what we'll do.

skorpion, so there is at least some prögress. hope your walk was fine and had some effect!

Hi, yes I sincerely hope this is it. TENS machine on, contractions internet gizmo says every 8 to 10 minutes. And I can't sit down during a cx - hurts too bloody much. I think it's the pressure of the waters and really hope they go.

Come on guys - you're nearly there. Hang on in there

Sounds very promising Skorpion! Any more contractions at your end Sass? Keep us updated if you can! (I'm so excited )

Had my first day out in the big bad world today (which feels bigger and badder with newborn in tow) and it was not too bad! I took my two cracked nipples along to a breastfeeding support group this morning and it turns out my/James' latch was not quite right, so we've been given loads of good advice and did skin to skin right in front of about 10 other mums. The good news is that they've weighed him too and he hasn't lost too much weight.

laugs that is good news. Hopefully they'll heal quickly and you'll have no more problems with that.

I'm timing cx at about 10 mins, they went down to 5 mins about an hour ago, but back up now. They're becoming more and more painful. I'm not sure what to do, whether I should call in or not. I'm terrible with not wanting to make a fuss and afraid of sod's law rules and everything stopping by the time we get there...

sass I hope you're well.

Skorpion if you call they'll probably have a chat with you and try and keep you on the phone to hear how you cope through a contraction - don't feel like you're wasting their time, this is what they are there for. If they feel like you're managing well, they'll probably say to stay at home for now. Have you had any paracetamol? One of the bits of advice is to go to hospital when you need pain relief stronger than paracetamol.

That's great advice, thank you. I've taken one and will wait for it to kick in. I think I'm forgetting that this is just the begining

Thanks again, it helps.

Hang in there skorpion, sounds like things are going well. I called the hospital last night when they were about 10 minutes apart and they said to cope at home with hot baths and paracetemol and massage and stuff until the CXs were 5 minutes apart for TWO HOURS! I was swooning a bit at the thought.

I saw the consultant today - he checked my cervix and sadly, despite all the contractions, it was only shortened and softened, not opened. Bit gutted with that, but the consultant says because of the contractions, he's hopeful labour will happen spontaneously before induction on Friday. But we came home and things slowed down, so went for a walk. They picked up and not sure what's happening now!! Ohhhhhh I hope it doesn't slow and stop, not after 24 hours of it....

Does bouncing on a birthing ball help move things along in any respect?

Thanks for still checking in with me/us, all you new mums. It's very encouraging.

i did use a ball bu found walking to get the contractions going the best.

Oh, sorry to hear that, but all the work will not have gone in vain, don't worry.

Hi, I was just advised by mw to take a bath but couldn't bear it. The cx in a reclining position in the bath were much worse, and I can't use the tens in there.

So, out on all fours now, seems to be the best position at the moment. And back to the counting.

The last couple did make me want to throw up though.

Sounds like you're well on your way, skorpion - hope you get the go-ahead to make your way to the hospital soon!

CXs are now about 7 minutes apart and fairly strong. How far apart are yours skorpion? Sounds like they are hitting quite hard, which can only be a good thing! I know what you mean about the bath - I don't fancy it either. Hot water bottle on the back is helping a bit though.

Tens doesn't affect the baby, does it? It seems more restless since I put it on.

Ladies I am sorry I deserted you. My power supply on laptop broke...have not read any posts apart from Skorpion's yet.

skorpion i could not do cx in laying back position either. DH said have a bath and I could not face it. I was mostly on my knees over the bed, and then in hosp i had to be on all fours, leaning on the back of the upright bed. I found rocking backwards and forwards eased them, or at least helped me focus on something. Whenever the MW said she needed me to roll onto my back to 'examine' or whatever, i could not do it...I had to be coaxed as the mere thought was too much! So i stayed permanently on all fours (with DH holding heart monitor in place when the baby needed monitoring ).

Anyway, you probably won't get to read anyof that blurb as you might be in hosp as we speak. SO good luck. Being a new mum is just the best. I am so in love with my little boy

sass oh ad you too! good luck to you too! No, tens does not harm the baby, it just sends little electric pulses into your muscles. Remember to turn it off when not cx though, as otherwise you will be like when you keep feeling this weird 'bzzzz' sensation in your back .

oh and they told me this time, wait til cx were 5 mins apart for 2 hours. Luckily i ignored that piece of advice completely as Reuben was born 2.5 hours after that and it took 15 mins to get to hosp (should have taken 25-20 mins , not sure it would have been great to give birth in the carpark

Thanks very much. I'm still here though I hope not for long.

Just weiting for my hot water bottle and for mw to call back and let us come in.

In a lot of pain now, waters still intact.

Difficult to type now.

Right, we're off. Wish us luck.

sass all the best, I hope you'll be holding lo very soon. Meet you on the other side.

Thanks again ladies, you're so much help

Thinking of you both sass and skorpion! Hope your labours are quick! x

Good luck skorpion, hope it's quick for you.

Contractions still 10 minutes apart. Day 2 of this. Getting upset because it feels like increasing pain but no progress - 30 hours of contractions (albeit spaced out).

I don't knwo what to do - should i try to sleep and risk things slowing down because I'm lying down or should I move around and try to keep them going??

Morning. Well, I guess skorpion is already holding a baby in her arms... or sleeping with a baby next to her.
sassmonkey, I really hope you had some progress over night... and some sleep as you will need your energy. Or maybe you are in hospital too by now? Good luck anyway.

Ooh, good luck sass and skorpion

ooh i missesd this live thread yesterday!

good luck girls! hopefully you are holding your little bundles of love already.

I think this is it then. I am getting emotional now. Such a beautiful thread. Thinking like doing it all over again! Anyone?

Are you still around sass? Both my labours started like this - regular contractions forever that never seemed to get closer together. It does end: Hang in there! Your little monkey will be here soon.

Can't wait for news of skorpion's new arrival too.

I agree Koumak, this has been a beautiful thread. It feels strange to move on. It's definitely been a defining part of my pregnancy and it wouldn't have been the same without all of you lovely ladies.

Agree with you both, everyone on this thread have been a life saver for me during the pregnancy. Am sad to see it all end as this is the last one for me ... despite me having the post newborn broodiness going on!!

Onwards and upwards we go though, taking our bundles of joy to the post natal thread and sharing all the ups and downs that new babies bring