Oh lordy are things starting to happen??

[StrangewaysHereICome]

Just need to share as I am driving myself nuts!! I am 37 weeks today and woke up at 2.30am which a very sharp pain to the side of my bump which I had to breathe through. It coincided with a BH contraction. I lay there thinking oh goodness I am not ready for this!! Then I started timing things as I couldn't get back to sleep because the tightenings and period type pains were coming every 5 mins and lasting 30 secs. Not painful as such, but uncomfortable.

After an hour I needed the loo and lets say I cleared my bowels out . I was awake for a further 2 hours before finally dropping off. I woke up at 7 still with the tightenings, just the same as before, which are still going now. I haven't had a show but have, er, done more bowel clearing.

Any ideas? This is my third so I should know really, but both my previous labours started with my waters breaking and then nothing for 12 hours before labour started in earnest.

I need to go to Tesco - dare I venture out?? DH doesn't believe things might be starting and we have a decorator coming tomorrow. I am planning a homebirth and all DH can say is wait until after the room has been painted !!

Sorry this is so long, I am feeling a bit edgy!

Hi everyone! Still here...

Seconding the windiness and super-active baby. BHs seemed to be getting quite painful last night but sod all this morning. Plenty of what I have seen described as "fanny snot" too .

Saw my MW yesterday and practically cried when she was sympathetic. She's offered to do a sweep next week, but I think I'm too much of a wuss. And what if she said I wasn't dilated at all and couldn't reach the cervix? The disappointment would tip me over the edge.

On the topic of sex - apparently you need ridiculous amounts of semen to make a difference to your cervix (seriously, about 30 loads worth!) but orgasms are definitely the way forward. And they can be achieved just as effectively on a ... cough ... solo mission, if your poor aching pelvises are not up to the job.

Good luck ladies - here's hoping for a restless weekend.

30 loads...WHF! Way to break your other half...!!

I mean WTF...

Ha ha! Just told DH about the thirty loads. He's looking kinda pale...

So guess who fell down the stairs this afternoon whist DH was out....!!!

I slipped on the carpet..whizz..bump bump bump crash at the bottom on my bottom and back. Oh and along with a huge gush of water... I screamed all the way down

(NB: The handrail is there for a reason, however it helps if you hold onto it)

My phone landed within close reach, I tried calling next door as they have a key, but no answer. By this point I was getting quite freaked out and I knew I was going into shock, and was worried that my waters had broken. Front door locked and I can't move as I was too frighted, so I tried called DH even through he was out. I just screaming 'I've fallen down the stairs', thank fuck he was only mins away and come flying in through the door. By this stage I'd gone into full shock, but lucky his army training kicked in and I was given a 'firm' set of questions..followed by the stop, breath, I need you to calm down chat.

Anyway I'm totally fine, been checked out. Baby's is okay but I've given myself a bit of a fight. Also hit my coxits bloody hard, so that's a bit sore. Waters haven't broken, the gush of water was wee!

However on a plus side...ambulance's arrive in 4 mins, DH is jealous as he's never been driven at high speed to hospital in an ambulance (he followed in the car) and I'm now quite happy for anyone to look at my fanny...oh and I've lost my plug fully this time! Doctor said I'm 3cm gone..it's going very slowly here!

Gordon Bennett what a day....! I do hope the only other drama anyone else has had today involves a baby arriving..

Bloody hell!! I am so glad you are both OK. Very scary though.... still good to know your DH is calm in a crisis and that the ambo's can get to you sub 5 mins!

30 loads - hmmm, busy weekends all around then

Bloody hell highland high drama. V glad that you and the bump are ok.

And 3cm - hurrah!!!!!

Take it easy!

Hello to all.

Boat happening here other than the usual cramps bowel clearing etc. The bowel clearing really is quite tiresome although on the plus side no heartburn food doesn't hand around long enough.

30 loads -OMG - not going to be happening here I can tell you.

After a totally symptomless day, my waters have gone. Properly, actually gone! About 4:30 this morning.

Now nothing else is happening. Aargh!!!!!

Glad you're OK Highland

Highland- so glad you're alright! sounds dramatic!!

BUnder - WOOOH cant be long now!!

BUnder... how is it going??

It isn't really.

My temp is fine and the waters are clear. I'm just waiting for contractions! I actually had a doze!

Oh flippin' eck I turn my back for a minute and people are throwing themselves down the stairs and waters are going!!

Highland that must have been so scary, I really hope you are okay. Another string to your DH's bow, calmness in a crisis . 3 cm is ace so hopefully some action soon, but please please be careful xx

Bunder that is very exciting . Both my labours started that way with contractions starting nearly exactly 12 hours later - sooooo I predict labour this afternoon and a baby before midnight for you Good luck I hope it all goes well !

Weeeeeelllll, as for me nothing nothing nothing. Due today, this is now my longest pregnancy ever, MIL pissing me off already, ho hum!! The mw has just been, no sign of anything but I can request a sweep from any time tomorrow - might wait though and see how desperate I get.

Good luck girls, we need babies soon... my poor DH is starting to buckle under the strain!!

cocoa any news!!!?!?!?! How are you getting on, fingers and toes crossed for you

BUnder have you called the hospital about your waterbreaking..? I guess since they clear, that's a good sign. I hope the contractions start soon. Come on baby bunder..!

Strangeways I know I do like a make drama.. family are so annoying at this stage...have you had the baby yet..oh yes of course 3 flipping days ago but we haven't told anyone yet!!!
I'd ask for a sweep, do you think you're engaged yet, how long have your other pregnancy's lasted?

Question...can you lose your plug several times? Sorry I know this is TMI for a Sunday morning. Lost a nice but fat purple/pink jelly one yesterday and then this morning I had another jelly base blob Is this normal??

DH and I have just been for a 2 mile walk around Richmond Park..now completely pooped! Nothing is happening, I had a really sore back yesterday evening...got excited that something night be happening but as DH pointed out I did fall down the stairs landing on my back and butt...Hot water bottle and an earlier night which helpped. Think DH was glad that we didn't have any further drama yesterday!

Feeling great..but seriously why is nothing happening?!?

Good luck everyone..

Still here. Still waiting.

Highland I'm not going to hospital - planned homebirth. Have chatted to midwife on the phone though. I'm checking my temp regularly and as long as the waters stay clear she's going to leave me to it. She'll pop round tomorrow morning if I don't call her before.

Come on everyone - I want a birthing buddy

Highland !!!! Hope you don't get too much bruising, maybe sleep and live downstairs .

Bunder Good luck.
Cocoa hope things are happening for you.

I am trying to distract self while waiting to phone hospital to see of I can go in today for induction. Lots of cramping but not a lot else!

Oh what a bore for you BUnder..but at least you're at home and can put your feet up with a good Sunday afternoon film. I'm very sure it won't be long. x

Jupiter are you still being 'clean' out...!!! Heartburn is horrid, I keep getting attacks at 11pm..hours after i've eat too.

I was wondering if I should be calling the MWLU at the Hospital..and ask about about my further plug lost, i'm now having brownish color discharged. Not sure if I should be concern or not (don't wish to sound like a silly 1st timer) since i'm 3cm and whist the baby is moving it's not as active as normal. Get's quite hard to judge at this stage, not sure if I'm just over thinking things

If it will make you feel better, I would ring Highland. Won't do any harm and the midwives should be happy to answer a question like that.

I know it's generally the longest part of the birthing process and may last anywhere from one to three days. But god what a drag! Does this mean things might develop quite quickly later? Not sure if DH can handle any more drama this weekend.

Oh get a grip HG and chill out (slaps herself)

bunder how exciting!

highland re the plug call if you want reassurance nobody will mind. The plug was the thing that started me thinking I might be in for an early appearance - I had two big globules of 'show' which combined withe cramping was a worry at 34+4 was a big of a worry. Lost a bit more the following week and now have episodes of snot like discharge (sorry ladies tmi). So I think it is normal for it to come away in bits. Call though for peace of mind!

Re: the clearing out - it happens after any big meal - just been with inlaws to carluccios and lunch has already left the building. On the plus side no heartburn and hoping it means less calorie absorbing!

strangeways hope it is not much longer.

Hello to everyone

Sorry I make no sense in my post - did have a glass of vino at lunch but no real excuse.

Have called MWLU at the hospital, she asked me to go in but I asked if I could just keep an eye on things and if it could any worse I would. Seemed happy with that.

After yesterday not sure I can face another trip to the hospital without coming home with a babba!!

Jupiter vino at lunch...i like your style!

I'm contracting every 6 or 7 mins - good, huh? Not too painful yet though.

Whooohoooooooooooo BUnder this is bloody brilliant...oh my love I'm so excited for you

I hope you have a lovely smooth home birth? Best of luck, not that you'll need it.

bunder wow - good luck hope it all goes smoothly and hopefully quickly xx

Whooop whoop, high five to BUnder . Oh I am soooo excited for you. I hope you have a lovely homebirth too. Oooh when I log on in the morning you will be hugging your little one I'm sure .