Any Midwives about to answer stupid questions from a mad pregnant lady?

[Alicetheinvisible]

Hello

40+1 with dc2 trying for a vbac, have possibly been in very early stages of labour for a day or two.

Why is it that when i am lying down, or sitting with my feet up i get some really strong tightenings (take my breath away and last around 40seconds) but when i am sat on my ball or walking around everything is much more comfortable and i hardly get any?

I thought being upright was supposed to help things along a bit. Is it because when i lie down the baby bobs out from being engaged and so my body has to work to get him back again (told you they were stupid questions)

Oh, and why do i feel like i have morning sickness again?

And will a sweep be beneficial at this point?

Thanks very much

Anyone?

And why are the tightenings much worse at night but much more bearable during the day/hardly noticeable.

Will this go on for another week or so?

You may find the contractions feel stronger when you are lying down because they are easier to deal with when upright - one woman I know described it as when she was upright she could work with the conx, when she lay down they washed over her like a wave of pain. Upright is good and will help ! Day vs night - there's more things to distract you during the day, plus you produce more oxytocin in the dark so night may strengthen the conx.

Feels like morning sickness - your body is preparing for the big job of labour and may be less inclined to bother with digestion.

Will a sweep be beneficial - why rush the baby out? Sounds like nature is doing it's thing, let it happen.

Will it go on for another week or so - maybe, who knows ? Can you cope, are you able to rest, are you staying hydrated and eating whatever you fancy ?

Not a midwife BTW !

Thanks for replying

Because i am going for a vbac i have only until next thursday before i am in for a cs, so it is standard apparently.

Pain is pretty constant now, but cx still a bit random, hopefully it means that things are happening. May not need the sweep after all (was not looking forward to it!)

Have had a bath (luckliy bath is big enough for hugely pregnant woman plus toddler to share) and now bouncing on my ball. Keep your fingers crossed for me

Somone here posted a great link about this the other day-
birthchoices.co.uk/warm-up-labour/
Also worth trying some of the Spinning babies techniques-
www.spinningbabies.com/techniques/during-labor
And make sure you are eating and gettibng rest too.
Good luck!
Selina

It's a tricky balance between trying to get things started and accepting that this 'slow labour' may just go on for a few days. Recently I have looked after a number of women who have been bouncing on the birth ball for days, had their birth supporters up round the clock with them and not eaten, drunk or relaxed properly as they have been so focused on getting the labour going. As a consequence they have been dehydrated and exhausted when labour actually starts and have had the usual cascase of intervention. Look after yourself, when the contractions are all equally long, strong and painful you will know the main event has begun!

Thanks ladies.

DH is hopefully taking me for lunch so i'm sure i will eat. Been sipping flat coke and ice all morning. My last labour was 30hrs to get to 5cms so hoping to avoid that again.

Have been quite chilled about this baby coming as and when, but 48hrs of above average discomfort and random quite strong cx is starting to take it's toll a bit!

Had a lovely hour of reflexology yesterday though.