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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Managing cramps/pre-labour??

14 replies

PaulineMole · 28/10/2010 10:08

I have been up since 3.30am with rotten cramping, following a sweep yesterday. They are too painful for me to get back off to sleep, but they don't seem to be intensifying or becoming more frequent.

Anyone have any good tips on managing this stage??

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JennyPiccolo · 28/10/2010 10:15

co-codamol and a hot water bottle and some warm baths.

I've been getting this as well, overdue but not in labour yet, the midwife said it's just your cervix lengthening or something. Just try to get comfy and warm and make yourself feel better.

JennyPiccolo · 28/10/2010 10:17

'make youself feel better' is admittedly rubbish advice, ive just been treating it like i would period pain. x

PaulineMole · 28/10/2010 10:24

no, not rubbish advice - sorry you're suffering too.

I have got Woman's Hour and a bar of cheapo white chocolate, both of which seem to be at least as effective as painkillers. I really hope it calms down before I have to collect DC1 from preschool at 3pm though.

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flickor · 28/10/2010 15:12

I am getting this at night really badly. My due date is tomorrow but the baby probably will be late. No waters breaking or mucus plug. It feel like really bad period pains.

PaulineMole · 28/10/2010 16:21

sorry to hear you've been rough too flickor.

I have been cramping/contracting every 15-20mins for most of the day, but no signs of things getting started properly.

Luckily DD is in a good mood, and has been happy just to cuddle up on the sofa.

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StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 28/10/2010 16:28

I predict you'll kick off soon, probably when the sun goes down and the night hormones are triggered.

StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 28/10/2010 16:30

Practice pain relief techniques whilst it isn't 'too' bad so that you have it cracked when things get more difficult.

These techniques also help to intensify the contractions and flood the body with the right hormones to get labour going proper.

When you feel the first cramp/contraction start, get into a comfortable position, and breath out whatever breath you have slowly. Then breath in as slowly as you think you can manage (try to get up to 25 at least with fast counting to get a feel for it) and then breath out as slowly as you can manage (Again aim for a count up to 25).

It will become second nature and you'll always know that a contraction will be over by the time you have breathed in and out, - which helps you not to panic.

You can also try a partner very lightly dragging their fingers up your back either side of your spine and then down again, - fairy touches.

This combination really gets the natural endorphines going as well as the labour trigging hormones, but the breathing can alone.

Once you have got to grips with the breathing, think about something that makes you go 'Mmmmmmm' if you can, as you start it.

Hope that helps. Start this now so that it is all second nature by the time it gets a little more difficult.

PaulineMole · 28/10/2010 16:38

thanks stark. I am practising now!

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StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 28/10/2010 16:47

Good. I always think that early labour is the best time to learn the skill as you are working with the real thing rather than just hypothetically.

And sometimes you can get in quite a bit of practice.

If you want to have a bit of fun, this can be a bit obsessive and distracting too:

contractionmaster.com/

Once you have got to grips with the breathing, if you can stand it, sitting forward either backwards on a chair or kneeling over a ball or cushion can help with positioning, and/or sitting on the loo can help open the pelvis.

But don't do too much at once. If you concentrate on just one thing, get the breathing sorted.

mum2oneloudbaby · 28/10/2010 16:56

I was just about to start this thread. I'm planning a long bath when DH gets home so he can help me get in and out (can't do it on my own anymore).

Will start now with the breathing.

As for the contractionmaster DH got this last week and it's bloody irritating me already he keeps asking if he should get his phone. I suspect when I am in labour he may get it rammed where the sun don't shine if he comes near me with it Grin

Fortunately DD has been in a good mood today and Ice Age has been on Sky so we have had a relaxing afternoon. Wish it was term time then she'd be at pre-school (so much easier).

StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 28/10/2010 18:50

Ooh good luck mum

PaulineMole · 29/10/2010 20:27

StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou Thu 28-Oct-10 16:28:12

I predict you'll kick off soon, probably when the sun goes down and the night hormones are triggered.

Predicted correctly! DD2 born today at 1pm, after a long slow labour. She is now napping at my feet! Thank for all the support.

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StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 29/10/2010 22:49

Yay, how lovely. Congratulations and welcome to the world baby girl!!

Grin
mum2oneloudbaby · 30/10/2010 08:27

Fab and congrats. Mine all stopped again. Long walk today me thinks.

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