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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Another am I in Labour thread...

23 replies

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 08:46

Posting between what I assume is contractions (!)

I woke at about 4.30 am with what I can only describe as period pain. I tried to sleep through it but had to get up at about 6.30 Now has spread to my back and I am trying to time them. Seem to be coming every 3 minutes (!) and lasting about 2 minutes each.

Have an overwhelming feeling that I need to go to the loo, have had a 'clear out' but still feel heavy.

Had a bath which made it better but they are still coming. CAn't get through to the hospital, not sure when I should be timing the contractions from as every time I think one has stopped it seems to start up again.

Has taken 20 minutes to post this thread. I don't want to go in too soon but it's my first and not sure if what I am experiencing is proper labour as it's my first.

No waters, no show.

eeeek.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Crystylline · 17/12/2010 08:53

have you tried your midwife, as well as the labour ward?

i'm 34 weeks preg with my first, so i'm no expert either.

crossing fingers for you though.

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 08:58

midwife's number is the MLU. will try them.

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Snuppeline · 17/12/2010 09:22

Did you get through to the midwife? You didn't say how many weeks you are? From 35 weeks brackston hicks can be very heavy for some and I have heard of "near labour" experiences from friends. That said I think it does sound like what you are experiencing could be it. Who is your birth partner? Can you get someone to come stay with you? Keep timing them and keep calm! If it is labour you will now soon enough and in most first timers you've got plenty of time to get yourself to the hospital. Got your bags packed? What are your chosen pain relief? Bath sounds good, keep doing that if you feel like it. If you have a tens machine, get it out and ready.

Also remember to keep drinking and eating. You may not want much but you have to keep you energy levels up, also drink plenty and remember to empty your bladder regularly. A full bladder with proper contractions make the contractions more painful. So try to go once an hour.

Keep timing the contractions too as when you do get through to your midwife she'll want to know how you're doing. So my advice is stay calm, be exited you might be meeting your baby soon! And phone your birth partner or a friend to stay with you for a bit. Good luck

SelinaDoula · 17/12/2010 09:31

Can you still talk or distract yourself through the contractions? If so it could still be early labour. Give your hospital a ring, they can advise you.
Good luck.S

GMajor7SwansASwimming · 17/12/2010 09:48

Are you mooing yet?? I had terrible periody cramps for days before I finally went into labour, but I knew things had finally got moving when I was on all fours braying like a rabid donkey with each contraction.

Fingers crossed for you...hopefully today is the day...so exciting!

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 11:22

Hi there

I am almost 41 weeks.

Managed to get through and they told me to have a bath and a paracetamol. Have been in the bath for an hour but now out and the contractions seem to still be about 2 - 3 minutes apart. I don't know if I am being a wuss.

We're mostly worried about the snow. Do we go up to the MLU only to be sent back meaning more journeys in the snow, or ride it out.

I've had 2 contractions while writing this.

No mooing but am saying 'fuck fuck fuck' a lot!

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Mrsmackie · 17/12/2010 11:34

If they are coming 2-3 minutes apart then get to hospital. I gave birth last week and was advised to go in when they were 4-5 minutes apart.

goodlifemummy · 17/12/2010 13:43

I am soooo jealous! I am 39+5 and desperate to get baby out! (poss contraction as I write?!)

2-3 mins apart sounds like a lot and I would be getting my bum to the hospital.

This is dc3, but DTD's were cs so no idea what I'm talking about really - but good luck!!

And at 41 weeks, its highly likely to be labour isn't it?

Pantofino · 17/12/2010 13:47

Sounds like labour to me! Hopefully you are in the hospital now! Good luck!

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 14:02

we've been to hospital, they tragically say I am 1cm dilated and 70% effaced so we've driven home in the snow. bah! I think I must be some kind of wuss :(

We were given the option of staying in but chose not to.

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goodlifemummy · 17/12/2010 14:22

1cm - oh no! Bad luck. Good idea to come home.

SelinaDoula · 17/12/2010 14:33

Try to ignore them as long as you can. Do some normal stuff and have a glass of wine and an early night!
S x

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 14:39

I can't ignore them. Am so annoyed with myself for being such a wuss. I was sure my pain threshold was better than this. Am using the tens now, seems to help a little.

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Moog72 · 17/12/2010 14:47

Hi wokeuptosnow - my labour started like yours with contractions 3 minutes apart and went to hospital, got sent home, and ended back there 3 hours later giving birth soon after that.

Maybe it will happen quickly for you too. Keep us posted!

GMajor7SwansASwimming · 17/12/2010 16:59

You are not a wuss at all wokeuptosnow. I tried to tough it out and ended up going into hospital way too late. I wish I'd done what you have.

1cm though! Your baby will be born very soon

Hassledge · 17/12/2010 17:02

You're not being a wuss - the pain is a hell of a shock. I thought (quite seriously) I was going to die with DC1 - it's not something you can prepare yourself for. It does hurt like fuck.

Good luck - keep moving around to keep things happening. And it will be all worth it :).

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 17/12/2010 19:40

Ok - so I went to bed and found lying on my side helped. Am up now but very wobbly legs. Called the hospital and they say come back up. I am really scared that I will get there and they will say I am only 3 cm :(

Lots of pressure in my bum and I have had a bloody show.

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Pantofino · 17/12/2010 19:48

Hassledge! That's not very reassuring!

I found it to be not so much agony as unrelenting. It is very, very tiring. G&A helped a lot. I was induced but I think it was about 22 hours from first contraction to pushing stage.

My overwhelming memory is of DH doing the crossword and the trainee mw making tea. I wasn't allowed any tea - only ice chips - I could have killed for tea!

Hassledge · 18/12/2010 08:43

Any news?

ReshapeWhileDamp · 18/12/2010 12:58

Sounds like it might be latent labour? If the contractions aren't progressing to being longer and closer together? Does sound like you're getting closer to labour, though!

Original poster

wokeuptosnow · 19/12/2010 18:01

Hi there

thank you for the help. No announcement to make yet, seems it is latent labour and I am now home after 2 days in the midwife led unit and only 2cm dilated.

I even had pethidine which is the one thing I said I didn't want to have! Not that it helped as we still have no baby, but I did get a nice Trippy sleep.

I also have a urine infection - nice.

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dribbleface · 19/12/2010 20:55

I had this for about 3 days then one almigty one, a loud pop as my waters went. Off to hospital (again) and Ds born about 4 hrs later.

Good luck

AnnOnimous · 20/12/2010 08:49

I went from waters broken and a check up in hospital - no sign of imminient labour, no effacing, no baby in position but being kept in in case of infection - to delivering three hours later with no pain relief and about two pushes, so keep an eye on these quiet latent labours!

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