Does this sound like something might be starting to happen??

[HelgatheHairy]

I'm 40+4 today. I've pretty much constant discomfort for the last few days but this evening it's period pain type pain. No real pattern, just some lighter cramps and some really strong ones. I've had no bloody show/mucus plug.

Does it sound like labour might be on the way???

First baby so a bit clueless!

I had a labor like this. Worst part was that they kept telling me that I wasn't in labor which scared the hell out of me because it was so painful and I couldn't imagine how much worse "real" labor would be like. As it turned out they left me doing the "non" labor for 40 hours (short of staff), and my mother finally dragged a dr in who decided I wasn't progressing and ended up giving me an emergency cs. (All of this was at St.Mary's where the royal baby was just born...I'm sure they weren't short staffed for Kate). I had a vbac with my second and no part of any labor with her was anywhere as painful as the bit with my first where they insisted I wasn't in labor. I would insist on an epidural if I were you, by now.

I'm only 2-3cm dilated though, surely that's a bit early for an epidural?

I think you can have one once you reach a definite 3cm? Fwiw I found getting to 3/4cm by far the hardest work. After that it went quickly.

I had a long drawn out labour like you (was induced though), I had an epidural at about 3-4cm as I was exhausted and it had been going on for days. I was also being induced via drip and it hurt like hell. The epidural allowed me to get to 10cm pain free, then it was allowed to wear off so I could feel to push. If you haven't already, do consider epidural.

It's a matter of your pain level, I thought. I was in far more pain before I dilated than once I got to 7cm (and didn't progress further).

I have a baby girl! In the end I has waters manually broken, induction drip, epidural, vacuum delivery and episotomomy and stitches. But she's beautiful and worth it all!

Congratulations!! I'm so pleased for you!

Congratulations!

Have you decided on a name?

Aww congratulations! Glad you've finally got to meet her :)

fantastic news, congratulations!

Thanks all. We're calling her Aria. I think I'm still a bit in shock!

Beautiful name. I'm so happy for you these will be the most wonderful and awful days of your life.

Aww what a lovely name. Congratulations!

Congratulations!!!! Lovely name!!

Beautiful thread!

Congratulations! Gorgeous name!

Brilliant !! Well done you, and what a beautiful name. Congratulations xxx

Congrats helga! Sounds like it was tough going but now you can put it behind you and enjoy your lovely baby girl!

littlemiss your turn now. Any developments?

Congratulations!

Not yet helga! But I had 53 hours of contractions and throwing up last time round lol So I guess I don't mind being overdue (40+2 today!) and just having twinges on and off if it's likely to mean a quicker delivery I'll be out walking this morning tho and keeping fx!!

Beautiful name!!!!
By the way, don't let a super long labor the first time around fool you into thinking it will be that way next time. I had 40 hours the first time and 5 the second. dd was almost born in London rush hour traffic.

sofia - wow!! 5!! i'll bear that in mind if I ever go into labour, 40+3 today

Me too little miss, I had four days with dd then three hours second time around! Hope things happen for you soon!