had a show having contractions but how long is this bit?

[valentinemum10]

this is my first and im 5 days overdue
i had a show yesterday 3am,lost my plug then been having intermittent contractions all day and still am today. they are strong but obviously need to get them few minutes apart before i can go to the hospital.
im just wondering how long these irregular contractions could go on for? can it be for days? even though im not doing much physically i feel so tired& wondering how im going to manage when the bigtime comes!
the pain is scaring me already.
anybody else experiencing anything similar?

It's so different for everyone I'm afraid. I never had early contractions - I had a bad back all pg so on the day dd was born it was pretty bad but i didn't think it was contractions. I went from nothing to 3 in 10 mins and very strong. practice coping with them so you have more control as they get stronger. the longest birth i know of is 40 hours from contractions starting - haven't really researched it though. sorry for lack of capital letters - i only have one hand free as dd is asleep on me and i'm enjoying the sit!

good luck

how long is a piece of string? Mine was 2 hours from first contraction to regular 3-5 mins apart, some others go days stop-start. Its sounds like you're well on your way though. Hopefully by this time tomorrow you'll be a proud mamma.

If its any help, many babies arrive overnight so i would try and relax/bath/eat now while you can.

It varies so, so much. Your baby could be here by midnight or not for a few days. Are they taking your full attention yet (as in can you speak through them)?

Please don't be frightened. Try to relax and go with the contractions rather than fighting them, as much as you can. It really, really helps. Don't be frightened. Labour is hard work and you can do it. Honestly, you're designed for it.

Can you have a bath or failing that a long shower? Have you had some paracetamol?

yy, do eat and drink well. Don't forget to wee!

thanks..
i knew this was a how long is a piece if string question but strangely the longer it goes on the more slightly panicky im getting and constantly visualising her coming out and me withering in pains.
the contractions at the moment are strong as all i can do is breathe hard through them and definately cant speak, baby is very active too and pressing down hard!the contraction pain also is really intense in my bum.its horrible!
have been eating, long showers, sleeping in between contractions,paracetamoL. yesterday morning i thought i would be well on my way to seeing her tonight!
well lets hope at least by valentines day!

Right. It sounds like you're well on the way

You're doing all the right things, but those visualisations that are buggering you up, and probably increasing your pain too. Stop it. You only have to deal with one contraction at a time, one contraction you can handle.

Try to visualise a rosebud unfurling and opening, you know like they often do quite quickly when you bring them into a warm room. That really helped me. Also thinking of all the other women who are labouring along with you.

Sounds like its happening!

I started contracting at 40+5, every 8/10 minutes. Then they stopped for 24 hours before resuming! It really is different.

Keep up the showers, and find things to distract you from 'over thinking' it - I watched comedies.

When she comes out, you won't wither in pain - this is a great time to practice your breathing and work out how you can manage the pain. I found that controlling my breathing was key, but again different for everyone. And of course, there is the option of pain relief.

Good luck, you will do so well!

my third day and im feeliing worse.tired rough,fed up.babys been moving frantically and causing lot of sharp pains in my cervix along with contractions tho still not regular enough.leaking more waters.im finding this mentally and physically hard at the mo.feel like crying.what can i do.if i try to walk i get very strong contractions but my stomach also feels so sore now...

Hi Valeninemum Is your baby Back to back? This is not a problem if the baby is can I suggest you try going on all fours and see if that speeds things up? the reason I ask is because back to backs ofter have irregular ccs (which often never regulate) and pain in thier bum. How regular are your cc roughly? and how long are the lating on average? Also when did your waters break?

I have had what you describe on both my births it does get better and once your cc become regular you will probably go very fast.

I went through almost exactly what you described Valentinemum and discovered in the end that my baby was back to back. Maybe ring the hospital and ask if you can go in for a MW to check the baby's position?

I had same experience with 2 back to back babies. Contracting irregularly bbut v painfully for 24 hours to remain at 3cm. If it is back to back its worth remembering that the earliest contractions are working at turning your baby into the optimal position: I didnt know this for the first but knowing there was a reason for it second time around kept me more positive. Like you, OP, I just kept thinking "How will I manage, I'm so tired already". But you WILL. As someone else posted, try all fours, leaning forward etc. Has a m/w been to check you yet? Don't leave it too long- you might go like a rocket when it all kicks off!

I didnt mean earliest exactly, just the MANY contractions before you are sure there is no going back!

thanx ladies.i have thought of this back to back as i could feel all her feet n hands moving like mad earlier very much visible through my belly but then later she seem to be on her side as i seem to have definate curbe of back on one side.i think i need to get her checked.ive leant over sofa/table few times and takes so much pressure and pain off myback.
PEMMA how can i not leave it too long/late?hospital wont see me until i get these bloody regular contractions!shall i just turn up? Had contractions all nite ,few every hour then every 5mins beteween 7 and 9 am today then fell asleep with odd contractions waking me up an hour ago.seem to lost my appetite today
waters broke on thurs 3am and seem to steadily leak.
As much as i want to speed things up i dont want it to go off like a rocket nearer time!!aaahhrrr..!.

Tell them your waters broke 3 days ago can they please check you over, you dont mind if you get sent home but would like some reasurance . They should check you then an may offer some help, I hope things go well.

Hi

Have you seen a midwife since your waters went? I think you should give them a ring and ask them to check you over. They don't like to leave you too long after your waters have broken without checking you over.

xxx

no havent seen anyone.i will try gets seen today.i need to know whats going on and maybe can relx and have a bit of control of whats happeniing to me. Yasterday on phone the hospital said its not advisable to come in until i get regular contractions becasue if go thy will do an internal examination and increeses risk of infection etc.but i think i need to get checked.im feeling sore now down there when i pee...getting worried.Thanks for replies again x.

You must have a differnt system where you live as here, a community midwife came round when I requested a visit to check what was going on. I think you should INSIST on seeing someone, especially as your waters have gone. Also,so they can check the babe's position. Good luck with the birth Valentinemum! Let us know how it goes.

no havent seen anyone.i will try gets seen today.i need to know whats going on and maybe can relx and have a bit of control of whats happeniing to me. Yasterday on phone the hospital said its not advisable to come in until i get regular contractions becasue if go thy will do an internal examination and increeses risk of infection etc.but i think i need to get checked.im feeling sore now down there when i pee...getting worried.Thanks for replies again x.

I had this with no 1: because my waters had broken at the beginning I was told to go in and get checked out the next day when I rang the delivery suite - there can be risk of infection I think - and then I had an induction the following day.

Definitely go see someone if your waters have broken.

Also apparently some women contract irregularly right up til the second stage and then the babies pop out after only 5 or 6 regular contractions!

NICE guidelines indiate induction of labour is advised 24 hours after waters have gone

more risk of infection and illness in you and baby if you don't go in, i am surprised you were not advised to come in if your waters went on thursday

please go to labour ward this evening.

pain in back and long latent phase can mean back to back baby

thankyou lulumaam.i went into hospital after reading your post and NICE info on saturday asap. As a result of the delay i almost died and my baby was almost the same.im convinced it is becausie i was left in this state for 3 days that may have caused the amniotic embolism of which 99% result in fatality. Negligence??
I cant believe im still alive. My little baby id doing well in care unit. Thanku for your replies ladies. Im lucky to be back here. But traumatised to say the least.im lying in hospital as i write this...feeling overwhelmed.
The medical care im receiving is incredible and outstanding.still got a few more days to go yet beforie i can get up.saw my baby for first time today&truly believe life is a miracle.

Oh my god!

I am so glad you are ok. How traumatic for you.

I am sorry you had such a hard time, I hope you have a speedy recovery and that your baby is doing well.

that's a very frightening and rare complication, it;s incredible you're both here. wishing you well for a speedy recovery.. make sure you are not fobbed off by the hospital, you need answers x