Is this early labour or am I fooling myself?

[bigkidsdidit]

Hello

Last labour I was induced (DS born 40+15) and went straight for epidural as it was agony so have no idea what natural labour feels like. Planning a home birth this time and am 40 + 8 today. I need to go into labour before 40 + 14 to keep my home birth without a fight so am on high alert and not sure if I am now psyching myself into imagining labour symptoms ...

Had sweep on Wednesday. Lost the plug on Thursday but it wasn't bloody which I think is more indicative of labour to follow soon? Yesterday incredibly intense pelvic pressure all day.

This morning have intermittent dull back pain which hasn't gone after a hot bath.

But no pain on bump, no tightenings...

What do you think?

Could be. Keep moving if possible, it encourages things to move along. Try not to get stressed, you'll tense up which can slow things down (apparently). Good luck!

Eek!

It's just occurred to me that if it is labour, a mw will be in my house soon, so I can keep moving as I tidy up

Sounds like baby might be getting ready.

If I was you I'd go for a little, local walk. Keep active. I went evening shopping while in early labour with dc3. But it was local, with my dh and two previous long labours. Baby was out by the morning

If you weren't +8 or concerned about being induced I'd say rest up. But if you want baby out I'd say keep moving

Good luck!

Thanks :)

Off to mop the floor and walk to the post box!

Until my waters went I only had pain in my back, once my waters went I could feel pain in my bump and 45 mins later I was holding DD. keep moving to speed things up! Keep us posted! Exciting

Sounds like things could be heading in the right direction. Keep moving and fingers crossed you get your HB.

i'd say dont mop the floor, you might have to do it again later.

i had back pain with dd, so baby could be on its way

all the best

Well

I went for a walk, now getting regular pains but they are all back and pelvis. Feeling like my pelvis is about to split apart

This is not what I imagined it'd be like!

Any developments? Mine was all in my back, I had to call labour ward to check it was the real thing as it wasn't what I expected. Hoping for a speedy labour for you

Every 8 minutes and lasting 45 sec according to my app. Still going but not getting any closer together! Still, DS on bed and DH has blown the pool up :)

Do you have an exercise/birth ball? Sit on it and rock back and forth - that seemed to relieve pelvic aches for me when I went into labour with DS2. Good luck!

I would try and get a bit of rest now if things have started if you can.

You e been up since this morning and you'll need your energy

Good luck!

DH is off to decathlon in a second to buy a ball :) I am not very organised!

I'm not tired yet, so we'll see. Might bounce for an hour or so then have a nap if poss.

Thanks all :)

Go sleep if you can.
Come back on here around 2am and join the insomniac night shift. :)

How exciting , good luck and hurrah for a home birth .

I would have loved a home birth .

How are things going? Good luck!

Every 6 ish minutes now :)

Just had chip shop chips and am sitting on my new ball watching poirot. I would try to sleep but I've had insomnia for a month or so now so it's probably pointless.

When should I ring the mw with a hb, anyone know?

Still a bit puzzled, no back pain now or bump pain, it is all in my pelvis

Worried I am making it all up

A random lurker, just wanted to wish you good luck. You are extremely patient what with going over your DD twice, by 38 weeks I was fed up and wanted DSs out asap!

Fwiw I felt alot of pain and pressure in my pelvis, and ds2 was born within a few hours (second+ labours are generally quicker!) Have you a tens machine to help ease the pain?

No am coping ok so far. Have gas and air but need mw here for that!

Thanks :)

Oh how exciting. How's things going now?

Sounds like your doing brilliantly. I was induced with ds so ive no advice or any clue really but just wanted to say hi.

good luck from me too!

I felt labour pains like period pains high up on my tummy which was wierd, they got stronger and stronger... never felt anything pelvisy, but I guess its different for everyone.

Dont forgot to think "opening up" thoughts, flowers etc, I was told this and kept saying to myself "I have a huge bucket fanny" worked a treat. Ds popped out no probs.

Ha ha! I will think that next contraction.

I think the reason I don't really believe it is it is so much less painful than induction. I went into a pain coma with induction and 'woke up' after my epidural to find I'd lost 6 hours

We will see if this is the real deal or not, I guess. Going to ring the mw in half an hour or so of this continues. Just had some paracetamol :)

I've never had an induction but have read its a zillion time more painful than natural and more of a shock because there is no "easing in" to it.

Its good to "will on" the strong ones, the stronger it gets the sooner baby will be out, so you have to mentally cheer on the big ones!

You are doing great!

for what its worth, i was also thinking "is it or isnt it starting?" for the first couple of hours. Then it kicked in and there was no denying it. I am sure that being relaxed, and not fighting it but letting it roll over you helps, it send the message to your body that its OK for baby to come out.

Another good thing to think/say is "whatever happens I know I can cope with it"

..and dont forget to have a wee while you can! (gets harder later on!)