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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Anyone up? Do these sound like contractions?

57 replies

MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 02:32

I am 41+2 with DC1 and getting what I think are regular contractions - pain radiating up through my bottom and pelvis and bump hardening. They're coming every 3-5 minutes but they're bearable at the moment. Just a bit confused because there hasn't been much build up and I don't want to be sent away and told its just wind. I lost my plug around lunchtime on Friday.

Just called MLU and got the answer phone - told to call mobile if in Labour. Any thoughts as to whether I should go ahead or just sit it out?

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Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:12

In the bath (which is a little too hot Grin) and contractions settled back down to 3 mins ish. Bearable especially in the water and not suffering in my hips in between like I was in bed :). DH sound asleep. One of us might as well get a full 8 hours...

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Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:13

Sorry, yes dc1

OP posts:
LilBlondePessimist · 12/10/2013 05:16

Just don't let them get too much more frequent then before you go in. The warm water can have a relaxing/pain relieving effect, which is brilliant, but could mask just how far along you actually are! Shock

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:19

Thanks. I'm timing with an app so will check the next few and go in.

I never thought I'd have a live birth thread Grin

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LilBlondePessimist · 12/10/2013 05:22

Very exciting! I know I sound like a loon but I love giving birth! Grin

Bearandcub · 12/10/2013 05:24

Good luck OP, hope it all goes well. By which I mean, safely, speedily and practically pain free.

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:27

That would be good bear. Not convinced on the last one though Grin

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Lorelei353 · 12/10/2013 05:28

I had some blood like that when I was roughly at the stage you are. I did ring hospital (you probably should too) but they told me it was nothing to worry about as it wasn't much.

So excited for you. Sounds like everything is progressing steadily as it should do. Good luck!

AmethystMoon · 12/10/2013 05:30

I got straight in a bath when I awoke at 2am with (what I now know were) contractions. The lovely warm water masked my progress very well....too well! I called the hospital from the bath and they didn't believe I was anywhere near ready to go in. I left it half and hour and got out of the bath whereupon my contraction really hit hard and my waters started to go.
I called the hospital again who then panicked and said yes come in. I was a thirty minute drive away, so had an 'interesting' journey very scared I would give birth in the car Blush
I arrived at the hospital at 4am, my waters then went all over the floor of the labour ward Grin, they whisked me into a room, I was quickly examined where they proclaimed me to be 7 cm dilated. I hopped in the nice warm birthing pool, which calmed things down again and DD popped out just after 6am.
So I am a big fan of warm water in labour but would say be aware it can mask progress a bit! Oh and it relaxed me so much I delivered DD without so much as a single push, my body did it all itself.
Good luck OP I hope you have an easy time of it and get to meet your gorgeous newborn soon. Oh and gas and air is fabulous for helping to calm and regulate your breathing which helps massively.

HicDraconis · 12/10/2013 05:32

They sound very like contractions and a show of fresh blood is fine at this stage as long as it isn't too much.

Good luck for a smooth labour! Hope you are enjoying fresh baby snuzzles soon :)

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:36

Amethyst the bath is certainly masking the lead in a bit - when I was in bed I was getting a funny numb feeling before they kicked in. We're only 10 minutes max from MLU but I will go in in plenty of time.

Last one was a bit poky...

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AmethystMoon · 12/10/2013 05:43

It sounds like you're doing well Smile ten minutes isn't too long to get to the hospital. Have a few towels to put on the seats though!
I would stay at home as long as you can. A nice warm bath at home is much nicer than the hospital environment after all.
What sort of birth do you have planned?

AmethystMoon · 12/10/2013 05:45

Just re read my post...I meant towels on seats in your car...not the MLU!
I had to do the car journey on all fours as the contractions were too uncomfortable to allow me to sit upright in the front seat Grin

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 05:50

Water birth if poss. Battery running low and getting tired so might bow out now, head back to bed and try to sleep or at least rest for a bit.

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement everyone. I promise faithfully to update you all in due course :)

OP posts:
PistachioTruffle · 12/10/2013 06:07

Best wishes Mrs Flowers

buttercrumble · 12/10/2013 06:11

Good luck, I remember it well. Flowers

AmethystMoon · 12/10/2013 06:14

Good luck and look forward to hearing how you get on. Loved my water birth and would do it all again tomorrow in a heart beat. Most amazing thing I have ever experienced Smile

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 16:24

Sorry to report that despite DH marching me tonthe park and the shops a couple of times contractions have ground to a halt. Now focussing on resting since I was up most my the night.

Thanks again for your encoragement Thanks

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AmethystMoon · 12/10/2013 17:45

Oh no! But at least you know it won't be long. Very sensible, get some rest and keep us posted :)

SecretWitch · 12/10/2013 17:53

Do get some well deserved rest. You never know when those contractions will kick in again. Flowers

Original poster
MrsHoratioNelson · 12/10/2013 18:06

Thanks. A few more but very erratic and not very painful. A nice dinner is called for I think. Would a glass of wine be a very terrible idea? Blush

OP posts:
weblette · 12/10/2013 20:46

That's what usually tipped me into proper labour! If I decided 'oh sod it, nothing's happening' it invariably kicked off.

Best of luck!

Greenkit · 12/10/2013 23:01

Any news xx

elcranko · 14/10/2013 13:47

How are things today OP?

Libertine73 · 14/10/2013 15:55

Am hoping you're snuggling your new born! :)