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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Please talk to me...

184 replies

MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 08:54

I went to hospital yesterday afternoon and was sent home as my cervix still had a way to go. Then the contractions stopped. Both dh and had wound ourselves up I think so we went to the pub across the road, had a lovely meal and a little wine. We returned feeling much more relaxed.
I went to bed at 10pm but I was woken at 1am by dh coming to bed. Then they started again.
By 2am I couldn't sleep, I phoned the hospital again and suggested I got in the bath with paracetamol. Basically I was contracting still fairly weakly (I realise that now) about 1/2 hourly. I managed to go back to bed and sleep until 5.30am.
This time the contractions were much more frequent about 5-6 minutes apart. I phoned the hospital, a midwife phoned me back.
I understand now that I have been naive thinking I should go into hopsital before. I have hours of pain at home to go through before I am in 'established' labour. Dh can't help but treat me like I'm a hyperchondriac but I still have ages to go.
It's just dawning on me what a lonely experience this labouring at home is.
Please talk to me...

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Jasnem · 11/02/2006 12:35

Will be thinking of you all day.
Hope you get a bit of rest.
Have you tried kicking DH every time you have a contraction? After 12 hours or so he will not think you are a hypochondriac1

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:08

Hi Ladies. Juts got out of bed - suddenly couldn't stand to stay still anymore. Dh (bless him) responded immediately to my request for some tomatoe soup and toast.
You might be right about the bath slowing down contractions - it's done that all three times I've got in and I was jsut about to get in again!
I think I need to drink some more.
Getting some lovely thick discharge all the time (Urgh)TMI
Can't bear to wear clothes.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:09

Kristina - how about your own 2nd bambino?

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MarsOnLife · 11/02/2006 13:10

well done for resting!

Got to sort the twins birthday, lots of family coming. Will be thinking of you today

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:13

How do you know when to go in?
I find I can hold off contractons as long as I don't move - as soon as I move an inch - WHHHHAAAMMMM!!

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Jasnem · 11/02/2006 13:19

You can always phone and ask the delivery ward.
How far apart are contractions? And how regular.
How long will it take you to get there (you don't want to leave it too late if it's a long way!)

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:22

It's half an hour and contractions are easily 45 seconds. Haven't measured how far about apart they are in a while, so will do now.
I guess they need to come regardles of what position I'm in?

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Jasnem · 11/02/2006 13:27

They will eventually come even if you don't move, yes.
I'd phone the ward and ask their advice, as I've never really had any labour at home due to other circumstances.
Let us know when you do go in though...

Jasnem · 11/02/2006 13:27

They will eventually come even if you don't move, yes.
I'd phone the ward and ask their advice, as I've never really had any labour at home due to other circumstances.
Let us know when you do go in though...

mears · 11/02/2006 13:28

MrsD - you are doing the best thing possible by staying at home. If the bath slows down your contractions then you are not in established labour. You are doing the right things by resting when you can. If you had paracetamol at 9.30, you can take another 2 and lie in the bath again. If the contractions slow down/disappear again then go to bed for as long as you can. When you find that the contractions stop you in your tracks and you cannot hold a conversation, that is the time to go in.

How long was your last labour? How far away from the hospital are you?

alexsmum · 11/02/2006 13:33

oh i know its hard-its so hard-but how exciting ! you're going to meet your baby today or tomorrow!!!!
will be thinking of you all day!

Carmenere · 11/02/2006 13:40

I have to say I think these are the most moving and touching of all the mumsnet threads . I agree with Alexsmum, it's very exciting to think you are going to have a little bundle very soon. Again - I wish you Godspeed and little pain

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:41

I'm half an hour from the hospital. I can't sit and write this but if I tsand up I am constantly in pain and I can't stand still, contractions will come (coming now) every few minutes, literally 2 or 3 minutes.
Mears should I try and slow things down again and get in the bath? I have just taken another 2 paracetamol. The unit is engaged at the minute, I've tried to ring.

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Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:44

My last labour - I was induced with syntocinon after my waters broke with muconium. A really controlled affair, I was in established labour with half an hour of the drip going up. Labour was completely different - I needed an epidural. Dd was born 6 hours after the drip going up.

OP posts:
mears · 11/02/2006 13:45

Sounds as though there is a big change in contractions. Since you are 30 minutes away I would phone and say you are coming in. You can always come home again!

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:47

THe contractions are confusing me too. I can write this but I can't stand up, I can't sit on the toilet, infact I can't do anything else.
Contraction now..

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Flamesparrow · 11/02/2006 13:48

I would have no idea when to go in either - I spent most of my labour in hospital... I went in to get a jab to stop me being sick, and the prospect of getting back in the car to go home was too much for me, so they said I could stay (it was very very quiet that day). My established labour started from about the time I needed pain relief, but again, not much to go by seeing as we all have different pain thresholds - you get these women who have absolutely nothing, then me who clung to gas and air for dear life, and then the others with epidurals... It all depends on the woman and the baby I guess.

Keep updating DH (and he doesn't seem as interested about what is happening during some woman called "Mrs D"'s labour... ).

alexsmum · 11/02/2006 13:48

i know its hard but don't try and slow things down.you want this over and done with .go with the flow.
what i found really helpful was to stand face to face with dh,with my arms around his neck and my head on his shoulder.your feet should be a good few inches away from his so that you are leaning on him.do this during the contraction-it really helps.if you can do sos brething at the same time- breathe in normally and then sigh out slowly, this will help too.

mears · 11/02/2006 13:48

I would go in

Flamesparrow · 11/02/2006 13:49

Oooh crossed posts... I'm with Mears on this Going in sounds good.

mears · 11/02/2006 13:50

If line is still engaged then just phone from mobile in the car. You're not asking if you can come - you are telling them you are coming.

alexsmum · 11/02/2006 13:51

don't forget to let us know!!!!

so excited!!!

Original poster
MrsDoolittle · 11/02/2006 13:51

Got through to unit. MW will ring

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 11/02/2006 13:52

Oooh yay!!!

Just all emotional and excited today - genuinely not ... gotta be a first

mears · 11/02/2006 13:53

When you phone the unit is it not a midwife who answers?