Could it finally be starting??

[goodlifemummy]

Hi I am 39+6 today, and this morning had mild contractions (or BH??) for an hour or so , 10 minutes apart, then nothing. I have just spotted some blood in my knickers, only the size of a 50p piece, no mucous or anything, just a spot of blood (gross, sorry!) Is this normal? I am a vbac, so no idea what to expect!

Thanks in advance

[mumatron]

how far away from the hospital are you? i would stay home as long as poss as long as you aren't planning an epidural or waterbirth.

i did plan on using the pool but stupid low iron levels mean i need a canula in on admission so i'm not allowed one :(

hopefully if my levels come up when tested tomorrow i can get cons to change his mind.

i really want a bath but everytime i have one all my niggley pains go away.

[WriterofDreams]

I am hoping to have a waterbirth - would it be better to go in soon in that case?

[mumatron]

depends how long it takes to get there i suppose. you will probably need to be monitored or examined before they start filling the pool.

what are the pains like now? have you called them again?

[WriterofDreams]

I'm very close to the hospital - takes less than 10 minutes to get there. I rang them about 15 mins ago and said I'm staying home for the time being. Pains are pretty strong now, about 2 mins apart but definitely not lasting more than 40 seconds. I am thinking of heading in though.

[mumatron]

i would just listen to your body if i was you, if you feel you should go in do it. even if you end up coming home at least you will have an idea of what is going on.

fingers crossed i don't hear from you until your home with your new baby.

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

If you feel like you need to go in, like mumatron suggests, then it's a good idea. You can have a leisurely drive - find somewhere to park and then find your way to delivery. If you're rushing and stressed, the stress hormones can interfere with labour(not always, but sometimes) and you don't want it stopping or slowing down.

Will be keeping everything crossed for you.

[WriterofDreams]

Well girls I'm back from the hospital and I haven't started dilating at all yet :( Contractions are still coming every 2-3 mins or so and they're pretty nasty at this stage so I'm a bit worried about how I'll cope. I know I'll manage I'm just not looking forward to it!

[mumatron]

that is what puts me off going to the hospital, it's so disappointing.

dose yourself up on paracetamol. do you have a tens machine?

erm, warm bath lots of back rubs if you can stand it.

can't think of much else sorry.

you will get through this. i found distraction great with ds. even if it was just getting a pen and paper and making detailed notes of each contraction (think i had 4 sheets of a4 filled)

i also emptied out a big built in wardrobe and sorted through it all while in labour.

hope it's over quickly for you.

[WriterofDreams]

Tens machine is on and it's helping a little bit, might have a bath in a while. My problem is now that I have no idea when I should go back to the hospital, I suppose I'll just hang on as long as I can.

[mumatron]

i really feel for you.

only thing i can advise is listening to your body, if you feel like you need to go back to the hospital, do it.

[mumatron]

wod im off to get some food and probably wont get back on tonight.

will check in the morning, and hopefully you will have your baby by then.

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

Oh no - I felt sure you'd be well on your way.

The thing is, it's not as bad as toothache - or a bad back - you never kow when they're going to stop and they serve no purpose.

Every pain and contraction you have now is leading up to your wonderful end result. There is an end to it - and it's all worth it.

You will cope.

A bath and some paracetamol will work wonders - and keeping moving seems to have helped me in the past (I'm surprised I didn't wear a groove in the hall carpet!!). Do you have stairs? Going up and down the stairs can get things moving too.

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

I wonder how WOD is doing?

How are you mumatron?

[mumatron]

Hoping that you have had your baby already Wod.

Just back from cons appt. Had sweep. Cervix is 1cm very soft and stretchy. Booked in for induction next thurs but doc thinks i`ll go myself soon.

Sweep not too bad, feeling a bit like I have been kicked in the fanjo. Quite a few cramps aswell.fingers crossed things kicck off soon.

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

Sweeps aren't particularly nice, are they? I had one and went into labour about 12 hours later. Fingers crossed for you that it'll be soon.

[mumatron]

no, not much fun is it?

suprised at how quickly things seem to be moving though.

sweep at about 3.30pm, lots of cramps and a big bloody show and pains every 4-5 mins. although pains are bad they are only 30ish seconds long.

off for a bath now see if that eases the 'just kicked' feeling i have in my fanjo

[bigkidsmademe]

can I join you all? I'm 40+4, had a sweep yesterday and another booked tomorrow. Bit of a show today but not much. Keep thinking I'm having pains but they are not contractions!

I'm soooooo fed up now! Just cannot wait for him to come out! I can't do anything but lie on the sofa watching Poirot and knitting. Moan, moan!

I hope you all move quickly

[mumatron]

hi bigkid 40+6 here and just had my 1st sweep. no one mentioned having a 2nd though. just booked my induction for next thurs.

keep meaning to go and get in the bath but i can't get my backside off the sofa.

pains seem to be spacing out a bit now so no doubt this is just another false alarm!

[bigkidsmademe]

I can have one every 2 days if I want so if this is another false alarm demand another one! My induction booked for next Friday, 41+5, but I really hope I don't get induced because the obs told me that in my hospital CS rate for induction is 50%

[WriterofDreams]

Baby George was born this morning at 3.30am! Went back to the hospital about 9 with vicious contractions to be told I was 5cms! What a relief! I was hoping for a waterbirth but my bp was a bit high so I was transferred to labour ward. I was happy about that because I went from an ok midwife to a fantastic one :) Started gas and air and that was the absolute business. I mean it was incredible how much it helped. Contractions were very tough going and very close together, and when my waters broke (with a magnificent pop) there was meconium in them so there started to be talk of ventouse and episiotomy, which oddly was exactly the motivation I needed! Pushed like a demon for 1 hr and 32 mins and at 3:30 out he finally came! He is amazing, utterly amazing. I only had a slight graze that needed a few stitches and they're not too bad at all. I came home about an hour ago and I really feel on top of the world.

Good luck to all of you still waiting!

[mumatron]

awww massive congratulations wod

enjoy snuggling him!

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

Fantastic news - congratulations! x

[faye0310]

congratulations, i am 41 wks today, had a sweep yesterday afternoon and nothing! a bit of bloody discharge (tmi) but thats it. im very disapointed. booked in to get induced next thursday. I am going to be totally sick by then. Just want her here.

[mumatron]

hi faye i'm ooked in for next thurs too.

pains have eased a bit here since i had a bath. was a bit worried at the bleeding earlier though. was quite a big clot of fresh red blood. bleeding eased off since.

TMI.....had the runs aswell been 3 times now.

also seem to be nesting. that will make dp pleased. just sorted through all the bills for the last year and shredded (by hand) all the crap. also making a start on my wardrobe.

off to paint my nails now while i still can

[whysolate]

Sorry to gate-crash! mumatron I had the runs and vomited. 6 hours later I was in labour. Good luck all!