Contractions...but what now??!

[fatsamsgrandslam]

I'm 40+4 with 2nd pg and booked in for induction tomorrow due to high-risk factors. I've been having contractions on and off since last night, and they have been about 7-10 mins apart this evening. I would quite like to pause early labour so I can go to sleep tonight, then start it up again in the morning so I don't need any medical intervention! Should I go to bed and risk slowing everything down, or should I be doing everything I can to ramp up the contractions?

How long have they been 7-10 mins apart?

I would sleep - you'll be put 'on a trace' before induction anyway so if it is labour then you may be encouraged to do things to bring it on naturally rather than going straight for the synthetic hormones....

They were 7-10mins apart for over an hour whilst on all fours or bouncing on ball, but have slowed down now I'm resting on my side on the sofa.

I was like that with the second. I just went to bed and then woke at about 5am feeling really crampy, contractions got going, hospital for 7am, baby born at 12. Contractions never got closer that 5 mins apart and I got to 8cm without pain relief or really awful pain. You might be like that too!

Thanks for the replies - am in bed but don't think I'll last long in here. Too painful when they come. Man alive! I'm a wimp!

No you're not. I find the early stage way more difficult to cope with as you're kind of not 'into it' yet and you have the thoughts about not wanting to do this. Once you're away it'll be easier!

Thank you! I'm just running a warm bath to see if I can get a bit of rest in there....don't think they're going to slow much though. We'll see.... Definitely feeling more relaxed than first time around.

Well...contractions never really ramped up to more than one every 5-7 mins and I managed to rest for a little bit overnight . We came in for induction this morning and they found I was 3-4 cm dilated. Got transferred to delivery suite at about 10.45. Waters broke at about 11am and baby girl was born at 2.03pm. She is scrumptious!!! Had a bad 3rd degree tear and spent time in theatre repairing damage - I foresee pain over the next few weeks, but for the time being I'm numb and in the newborn snuggle-love-bubble! Bliss! Thank you for your kind words last night - really helped!

Oooo congratulations!

Btw, I found the femme pad (thing you put in the freezer and then cover in gauze before putting on your stitches) to be really good at numbing stitch area pain..... My dh also found it useful after his vasectomy !!

Congratulations! Well done you!

I too had a 3rd degree tear having my DD in May this year after being induced. I found lots of warm short baths helped and sitting on a pile of pillows about 5ft high everywhere I sat!

Also keeping active (gently obviously) helps quicken the healing process.

Enjoy the snuggles with your newbie

Thanks for the tips. Femme pads purchased today and nicely chilling in the freezer. I'm concentrating on keeping area clean - so am having lots of baths and showers, using tea tree oil and have bought some witch hazel to use on pads. I really don't want to get an infection. Just trying to get balance right of high-fibre foods and laxatives as think I may have overdosed on both over weekend which led to embarrassing poo situation in the hospital! .

And there was me dreading the pain - that seems to be under control - it's the poo and germs that are more of a hassle.

...still all worth it!!!!!!

Congratulation. Hope the healing isn't too painful!!

Congratulations I meant!