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!

So a sweep at 3cm...works.....Yup yup yup it's started....!

Oh crap by this time tomorrow I might have a baby What's very annoying is DH said the other day, It will arrive on the 3rd!! Looks like he might be right

It started off late this morning as back ache and tummy pains..rolling into contractions which threw me a bit. So I spent most of today cleaning, washing floors and sorting out cupboards. At least the house is clean! Had this horrid feeling they were going to stop again so wanted to keep active..been about 2.5 / 3 hours or so now..so it's looking good.

Have called the MW just to confirm that I can chill out or stay active. Told me to take it easy but if I fancied doing the ironing or having a walk, then great. But I'm in for a long night so remember to relax, eat and breath...! Haven't started timing them yet as MW said wait until they become more frequent.

Wonder if I will be able to sleep for a few hours, that might help?? What do you guys think???

Off to find the hot water bottle..quite fancy a glass of is that wrong.

Yeah HG.

I think a small might be ok ;-)

Good luck - hope you can rest a bit also.

Keep us updated!

Jx

Oh yes have a it will help you relax and maybe get a bit of sleep. Best of luck - can't wait to hear your news.

So exciting

Thanks guys...

I think my timing might be off...frequency has gone from 12 mins to 3mins in about 30 mins!! Lying down they slow down, but last longer. When I'm active they speed up but aren't as long. Just a bit concerned since I'm already 3cm. The old fanny does ache a bit. Is this normal at this stage?

Wonder if this is just pre-labour...??? Having really trouble telling when they start, I know that sounds really stupid but.....!
DH has just download a new app for contractions, lets see how this one goes.

Hot water bottles are bloody amazing...!!

Going to try and have some food..steak and chips..feels like my last meal..

Nipple twiddling with strengthen them! Trust me you will know. Just keep reminding yourself there is a peak. ... And gas in air is your new best friend lol

Nipple twiddling with strengthen them! Trust me you will know. Just keep reminding yourself there is a peak. ... And gas in air is your new best friend lol

highland are you there???? How's it going? Thinking of you .

A few niggles here, but I am not holding my breath anything will develop!!

Highland any news hope all going well.

Come on babies - especially baby strangeways.

Had to go for fetal heart trace today as saw MW and when she asked about movement I did think it had dropped off a bit. Trace was fine - baby is a monkey, but have to go for a doppler and liqor scan tomorrow whatever that may entail?

BP also a bit up today and feel nauseous.

Sure daily bowel clear is imminent.

Jx

Ooo Highlandgirl...! hopefully there's news.

Hope everyone's well.

Just wanted to pop back and see whether there was
more news but also to say thanks for all the support in the run up to my baby arriving.

Her birth didn't quite go to plan...I had meconium in my waters and thought I was contracting. The monitor however said I wasn't so they gave me a pessary to start the induction process. They then realised the machine wasn't working properly and I was in natural labour meaning contractions were now coming too fast and had to be artificially slowed down. All a bit stressful! The midwife who delivered DD was AMAZING though and made the whole experience very positive.

Good luck everyone who is still waiting!

cocoa goodness that must have been a bit scary - it's a shame they rely on a machine rather than you saying you are contracting . So fab you had a lovely midwife and it was all positive for you.

No news for highland I hope this means she has her little one in her arms.

Nothing here, may have a sweep tomorrow ....

Still thinking of you highland hope there is some lovely news soon.

As for me, well guess what .... I'm still here and still pg!! The mw came today and she was amazed I am still hanging on!! Disappointingly bubs is now not engaged at all, having been 3/5ths for over 3 weeks . I know third babies can bob about, but it is a bit disheartening!

I wimped out of the sweep she offered, so will give myself a bit more time, maybe Monday if more desperation kicks in!!

Happy weekend all x

Hi All,
Oh we have had some drama...but SHE her!! Honor arrived on Thursday 3/3/11 afternoon. at a healthy 9lbs and 13oz.... everyone completely shocked at her size as I was at all big.

My god it was a fight..it was a long and a times very stressful labour. We went the full hog, 10cm on gas and air, then I was hit by drugs. An hour and 45 mins of pushing followed by vons caps and forceps. But in the end she was stuck and crash c/s was the only opinion.

I had an eppy and spinal mix as the first eppy won't take. It took them 3 goes to get the bugger in. I had an hours rest before pushing. I had to have 2 top up eppys, but only 1 worked (i tell you doing a vons cap on gas and air was....no words, I cried ALOT) found forceps much better. Once in the theater, I was given a full eppy but the bugger won't work fully, so I was given another spinal block from my chest down. I filled 2 sick bowls in theater! Nice. Anyway it's all good now.

Sadly she was back to back and brow (head right back) and the MW said today you can't have a VB with a brow baby..so god know's why I had vons and forceps..!?!

The MW's and Doctors were fucking brilliant..and even said to us after, she had been the toughest birth of the last 24 hours..

How is everyone else getting on?

highland oh you poor thing, that sounds like such a scary experience. After doing so well on gas and air to get to 10cm, and then a vons cap and forceps on gas and air . You poor thing. But wow congratulations that Honor (gorgeous name btw) made it at last, and what a weight - eek!

How are you feeling now? I hope you are recovering well and enjoying all the snuggles with Honor . You are one brave lady.

As for me, nothing happening here, I feel exhausted uncomfortable and now a bit teary. It really does feel like this baby is NEVER coming out. Oh well. No induction booked yet, but next week things have to get moving or else I will have no choice.

Congrats again, what a star you are xx

Just found this thread, congrats Highland :o

Strangeways, I was petrified of the thought of a sweep but at 6 days OD I gave in and the next evening I went into labour, so although it is a tad uncomfortable (I did'nt find it painful and I have a rediculously low pain thresh-hold) I would say go for it.

Baby will appear at some point I promise :o

Oh highland goodness sounds quite traumatic and scary. But congratulations, love the name and hope things are calming down for you all now - lots of snuggles and cuddles. Impressive size btw!!! Think you certainly deserve a glass of now.

stangeways really feel for you now and don't blame you one bit for being teary. I sat on the bed and sobbed on Friday morning for no real reason other than being hormonal, fed up etc etc. And I frankly have no right at 38 weeks - told self to get a grip.

I just thought after having dealt with the drama/prospect of prem labour the stinging steroid injections and endless weeks of early labour symptoms that something might have happened by now - resigned now to it being ages more. Do wonder though how many more times comm midwives can send me to delivery suite triage before they get so fed up with me that they just induce or something. Went Thurs and Fri for monitoring as reduced movement - baby wasn't moving much - even on monitor - monkey as fine since yesterday - keeping an eye though.

Long walk tomorrow, more pineapple and raspberry leaf and bouncing on gym ball.

Also fed up with people saying to me haven't you dropped yet - you are enormous - yes I know I am chuffing uncomfortable.

stangeways wishing you a start to the week baby!!!

highland congrats again.

Hello to anyone else

Thanks Jupiter. You're not having much fun either are you. If you look back to when I started this thread I was 37 weeks! You have every right to feel peed off at 38 weeks especially after the worry of a prem labour. Fingers crossed we have lovely happy healthy babies soon. I bet you pop before me!

Sweep booked today, I am soooo nervous about it but also desperate.

Hope you are well highland.

Thanks too upyourdiva I hope it has the same effect for me.

Oh strangeways you are having a rotten time of it so unfair when it is dc 3. I am sure I won't pop before you don't worry.

Re: the sweep I guess you don't have to have it, but it might provide the nudge you need and allow you the HB you want. At very least MW will be able to tell you how cervix is progressing - you might find you are already 4cm or something.

I am feeling quite half full this am btw it must be the sunshine it is beautiful (but cold) here this am. Good weather for a long walk!

I hate VEs also, but it will only take a minute or so. Remember horse breaths and relaxing the face muscles will help. If you cry I wouldn't be embarrassed MW should know that you are in a bit of a pickle about it.

Sending virtual moral support, cups of tea and hugs. Hope it goes well - report back later.

Jx

Thanks Jupiter but I did refuse. I didn't warm to the mw for a start and I just thought why do something that I am desperately worried about and may not work anyway. I did ask if maybe she could just check the cervix to see if any progress was happening but she said there was no point without doing a sweep and she couldn't reassure me she would stop if I asked.

Baby is well, though not engaged and my bp is up (probably stress) She insisted on booking the induction for Saturday, but I may ask for monitoring instead - we'll see. You never know I might have had the little poppet by then.

Thanks for your kind post,it really cheered me up .

Well guess what? I am still here ... getting beyond fed up now but so want this baby to come naturally. I have been booked for an induction at the weekend but I will try and fight it and go for monitoring instead. I am not technically over 42 weeks until Monday so don't understand the impatience of the midwives. I just get the impression that the community mw's just want to wash their hands of me for my homebirth and pass me on to someone else. It's very frustrating.

I hope everyone else is well, and thanks for all the lovely support on this thread xx

strangeways you don't have to TRY to fight it, just tell them "thankyou for your offer but I do not wish to be induced and have chosen expectant monitoring instead".
They can't force you to be induced neither can they refuse to attend you at home after 42 weeks.

If you encounter problems then please call or write to the SOM or head of midwifery at the hopsital. There is a helpful section on homebirth site about homebirth after 42 weeks it is under the "can i have a homebirth if" section www.homebirth.org.uk/overdue.htm

Brilliant news Highlandgirl! Congratulations!

Thinking of you Strangeways- hope there's news soon!

Thanks Me23 for all your lovely advice. You are right I need to be assertive, I just worry once I am in hospital it will be harder to put my point across! I was reading that section of Homebirth uk earlier and it really helped, thank you.

But.... on the plus side I think I have had a bit of a show (brown discharge - sorry if TMI) and some more uncomfortable BH's and diarrhoea (oops TMI again). Baby definitely feels a lot lower too. I am hopefully my body is starting to gear up for some action, who knows tomorrow there might be some news!!!

ooh sending you positive labour vibes!
Glad you found the link helpful, just be strong and do what you want to do! It is hard when you are under pressure I know.

strangeways positive vibes from here as well.

Seeing MW tomorrow and asking for a sweep if possible.

Look forward to news!!

Finally I think I can say quite confidently that things ARE starting to happen - hooray!! Been contracting regularly since 2am but not too painful at the moment. Plug gone, TENS on, contracting every 5 mins.

Wish me luck