Bounce through contractions?

[BlueCrane]

I am 39+2 today with dc1, had a show yesterday evening and contractions started at 4.30am this morning. They peaked at round 3 min intervals at about 9am and have since died off to nothing as I fell asleep since I didn't sleep at all last night for the moment I am bouncing away on my birthing ball and they are back to 7min intervals. I can currently breathe and bounce through them but wondering whether it would be more effective for me to stand up when the contraction starts rather than stay on the ball? Any thoughts?

Carry on bouncing while you are comfortable to do so - it might help your DC stay in the right position (and could also help move your labour along). Good luck!

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Personally, I rocked and moo'd but bouncing is fine.

Good luck

I found the ball fantastic because it enabled me to sit whilst contracting.
Much better than all that blumming up and down business!

Stopped me getting so tired.
I wish I had found this out before I got to dc5!

Have a walk about and use the ball when you need a rest?
Lots of luck :)

Thanks for your replies! Been out for a walk and then a nice shower. Back on the ball for now and walking around the flat at times...they're still 6 mins apart but getting longer - last 4 were a minute long each and a lot more painful! Suspect we may head over to the hospital this evening...though just taken some paracetamol so that will hopefully help me last at home a bit longer (was trying to hold out as long as possible before taking anything!)

Squeeeeeere birth thread!
How exciting
Lots of lovely wishes for a brilliant birth.
Keep us updated ( it's the law)
:)

MW says we can go in any time so just trying to get DH to get himself ready and then we'll head in...though chances of updates after that are slim as I haven't figured out MN on my blackberry and not sure brain is capable at the moment!!

Back from the hospital and feeling v v frustrated! Been getting stronger and stronger contractions lasting up to a minute at a time and getting closer too...but turns out LO is now only just 3/5 engaged and I'm not dilated at all still getting the v painful contractions but not sure what they're achieving at all so feeling quite down about it all tbh! and now coping less well with the contractions as I just feel v annoyed with my body! Need to try and relax again...think the fact I didn't get any sleep at all last night isn't really helping either!

Hang on in there xx

You can go from no dilation to well on your way pretty quickly.

I know that feeling of having pathetic but painful contractions. Its very demoralizing.

But you are on your way, you will get your baby soon

Exactly the same happened for me too, and I was sooooo frustrated, but DS is 4 weeks old tomorrow, and reading this has made me very

Oh and when I went in again, I did dilate v v quickly, 5cms in 15 mins [eek]

Good luck xx

Have DH, DM and DSD all trying to be really helpful and caring and loving but I just don't think they understand how utterly demoralised and kicked in the teeth I feel and it's not even that I can just sit somewhere quietly and relax as it just hurts lots in whatever position i try, whether on or off the ball, stood up, lying down, walking, whatever. Sorry for the moan, just needed to vent I guess!

I understand petal

Thanks for your replies...I am slowly calming down and have hidden in the bedroom for the moment. Interesting to hear your stories...

Dont encourage us blue you will have hundreds of us relating our birth stories!

Do you think you could get some rest? How are the contractions now?

Sympathies - I had v painful contractions that stopped and started for several days with ds2, then my waters broke, we went to the hospital and got sent home as they still weren't regular enough & I wasn't dilated (apparently although the mw also said she could see the baby's hair ) carried on with the same level of contractions for a few hours and then they suddenly ramped up from one every 6/7mins to every 2-3mins, mad dash to hospital with urge to push most of the way, stagger across the carpark and ds2 was born pretty much as soon as I got into the birth centre! He's now 3wks old and I'm enjoying snuggly cuddles with him while mning

Sounds like won't be long til you meet your little one too

Am going to try and sleep...when I'm laid down the contractions ease off at the moment though back as soon as i try and sit or stand so will see...

Probably best to lie down even if it means the contractions stop for a while. You really need a rest.

Having some weird kind of half sleep with odd dreams brought on by being utterly overtired and the painkillers they gave me to bring home but the contractions are back and I figured out how to sort this from my phone and DH is being a star!

Having some weird kind of half sleep with odd dreams brought on by being utterly overtired and the painkillers they gave me to bring home but the contractions are back and I figured out how to sort this from my phone and DH is being a star!

BlueCrane, sounds like we're pretty much in the same boat!
I feel your pain and frustration! See my post about early labour since Monday. Could have cried (in fact I did, but waited until home),
Stick in there and I'm sure/hoping we will both soon be posting on here about our (easy, hopefully!) deliveries.

Xxx

pidgy sorry you are having a similar situation!

Managed to get some rest and had a nice bath this morning and since then have just let myself curl up in bed and rest between contractions which has done me the world of good...feel in a much better place mentally and emotionally again which I feel is important for what lies ahead! Also had a lot more in terms of 'show' this morning which can only be a good thing. Contractions pretty strong but only roughly every 10minutes but as I say the break has been a good one. Have banned myself from my contraction timing app on my phone until they get much much closer together and will just keep a rough eye on the clock until then. Have decided I feel a bit like a cat...they find somewhere quiet to curl up and just get on with it when they are birthing kittens and my chill time in the bath and then bed this morning has been rather primal and like that which has been good! Still a long way to go but I'm feeling much more positive about it than I was last night!

Good to read your latest post BlueCrane, fingers crossed it all starts moving along nicely :)