What IS going on??!!

[catbus]

Am 40+5 weeks pg, baby number 4. Have had one 5 days early, and the last 2 bang on the due date..

For the last week or so, the pressure bearing down is immense, mainly in the evenings, but comes to nothing. I have had no regular contractions (that I would recognise as familiar) but my belly is virtually permanently hard, like one long braxton!
It feels for the main part as if I could cough it out!

On Friday at the MW appt, the head was FULLY engaged and she could barely feel the top. Got my Mum down as I really felt things could get moving. I have been under a stupid amount of stress, and the MW said I needed to be able to chill in order for things to progress.

Have done non stop chilling since then but still nothing.

Is it possible that I am already in labour? Can you progress quite fast without any definite contractions? Am feeling very lost at the moment; have another MW appt tomorrow though.

Anyone out there been through similar? Going mad here!

You have my complete sympathies - have 4 DC's as well and number 4 was all set to go just like you, but would he budge? Had a sweep at 40+7 and he was born 3 hours later (despite the Doctor saying would be a few more days yet). When it did start it was all over rather fast, 2 hours from 1st contraction to delivery.

Fingers crossed and good luck

Oooo that sounds fast but good! Did you have a crazy amount of pressure also?

Seeing MW on Thursday now at 40+7 with the hope of a sweep. Am hoping this will not be too traumatic, as I find internals awful at the best of times. Thanks for your reply: it gives me hope!

I think when you do labour you will go like a rocket, esp if your waters go so don't hang around.

Oh gawd! I have a feeling you may be right! Planning on my 4th homebirth, so hope I make it home fast enough! Love the term like a rocket, btw..!

Yeah make sure you have an emergency plan in place for other dc and getting to hospital. I was around 45mins after getting to the hospital, waters did not break at all!

I felt loads of pressure in the days before dd2 was born but no real contractions or twinges. She arrived within 2 hours of the first actual twinge I felt.

Best of luck.