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Childbirth

Have I, unknowingly, made this worse for myself?

136 replies

sanityisamyth · 26/12/2013 15:24

Afternoon!

I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my first and have been having fairly strong cramps and tensing since 11pm on Tuesday night. Went to maternity twice yesterday just to see how things were progressing. I'd got to 2 cms dilated yesterday afternoon on the second check up. Most of yesterday I was sitting upright-ish in a chair and just breathing through any tensing (mostly in my back as little one is back-to-back despite being perfect on Monday).

Since yesterday afternoon, back at home, I have been trying to get on all fours during each contraction/tensing to get him to turn and drop but still not a lot doing. The tensing doesn't seem to be getting stronger or more frequent and waters haven't gone. I have also been trying to spend as much time as possible resting on my side and kneeling up against the edge of the bed, or on all fours rotating my pelvis whilst there are no contractions.

So that's over 40 hours of contractions so far! Have I done anything to cause the first stage so be so long, or is this fairly normal?!

I really don't want to go back to maternity again to be checked for them to tell me that I'm only another 1 or 2 cms dilated since 24 hours ago! My waters haven't gone yet either.

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BetterWithCranberryWensleydale · 27/12/2013 10:56

Oh you poor thing! You're headed on the right direction though. I'm sure you've tried all sorts but here's some more suggestions: hip circles or figure eights during contractions. Did you get a gym ball? I hope you get a little bit of sleep between contractions.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 11:03

No haven't managed to get a gym ball yet but found that the bed is the same height as the ball I would need so it's not a bad stop gap :) yeah doing lots of hip rotations/figures of 8 etc. during contractions too - helps with the pain management if nothing else!

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sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 11:44

Was advised at hospital to try to eat a bit of food to keep energy levels up e.g. Pasta. Husband cooked some carbonara for me (he cooks it often and it's lush!) but it immediately ended up in the loo :( I was planning on expelling something from my body but not my lunch :( will stick to fluids for a bit I think!

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juule · 27/12/2013 11:47

Try glucose drinks (I drank Lucozade through my labours). Your uterus needs energy to contract.

BetterWithCranberryWensleydale · 27/12/2013 11:47

Send DH out for some energy drinks like Powerade. I was sick throughout my whole first labour, it really sucks . You poor thing.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 11:52

I can't tolerate energy drinks. Even a mouthful of lucozade (or similar) and I nearly pass out :( I've got some fruit juice which seems to be a bit better. Might be time for another nice hot bath :)

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CestelloAnnunciation · 27/12/2013 11:53

I had this for 4 days with my first bab. Contractions were painful and getting closer and closer...but hadnt progressed beyond 2cm after 90 odd bloody hours! Hang on in therex

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 11:56

Thanks CA :) I've done over 60 hours now but really hoping things will properly kick off very soon! Doing my best to stay positive!!!

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yourcruisedirector · 27/12/2013 12:27

Sanity you're a hero! You sound to be in good spirits so well done. I'm sure things will kick off soon. You must be shattered - I think if you can grab any sleep or rest at all it will be worth it. Have you seen some of the websites which recommend positions for turning OP babies? Although i guess as things have started you don't want the head to disengage at this stage.

Take a rest if you can and keep at it - you have done this much, you can see it through.

Oh and I know this will seem very very far away right now but be sure to prioritise your rest and health post-birth no matter how many people want to come see you and the baby. It's hard enough to recover after a short labour!

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 12:40

Thanks YCD - definitely no intentions of giving up yet but naps are difficult as the contractions are pretty regular :( trying to spend lots of time encouraging him to turn but definitely don't want the head to disengage!!

Post-birth I'll definitely be putting my foot down and only seeing people when I feel up to it. I could probably sleep for a week. Husband is pretty good - makes sure I've got all the snacks and drinks I need, and is walking the dog and doing the horses for me :)

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selfdestructivelady · 27/12/2013 14:04

This sounds insane and I can't believe I'm admitting it but my third I was in labor for ages and contractions were strong and close but not enough to dilate me so I had dh Jack off and finish inside me it certainly speeded my labor up.

gallicgirl · 27/12/2013 14:09

Where sre you Sanity?
Hope things move on for you quickly.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 14:11

SDL - something similar had crossed my mind ! I'm still managing the contractions with paracetamol and various positions. I'm back on my knees again leaning over the side of the bed. Definitely helping the psi relief and hopefully getting things going a bit more quickly! Even managed a few naps in the bath just now as well :)

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DangoDays · 27/12/2013 16:21

Sanity - you are doing great. Yes to resting and eating When you can. I know it's hard. Lots of support for you here. Once it hits 4cm I reckon things will move quickly. You are getting there and it will happen. Take care.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 16:37

Thanks DD - I honestly am very grateful for all the encouragement on here. I think I would have been crying by now otherwise and I don't "do" crying but trying to stay positive.

I'm currently eating a bit of fruit salad - seems happy to stay in my system. I needed something sugary as even my leg muscles were beginning to twitch through lack of fuel. I'm slumped back over the edge of the bed again after about an hour's broken sleep.

Might be my imagination but feels slightly different "down there". Not exactly sure how to describe it but almost fuller? As if things have moved downwards a bit when I walk to the loo and back?

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Frizz1986 · 27/12/2013 16:51

sanity you are doing really well.
I started with pains last Friday afternoon. By sunday they were bad enough for me to call midwife centre but they told me to have a bath as no show or waters.
On monday i had a show and pain increased but still not regular, just every 3-8 mins all day.
No sleep on Monday night as so bad, but as they weren't regular i daren't call up again.
Tuesday morning i had my 6th bath to help soothe the pain. Got out of the bath, had a long pee and........waters went at 9am.
Pain really ramped up then and by 10:10am when i arrived at the birth centre i was already 6cms so i guess all the early stages were progressing me slowly.
By 10:49am baby had arrived safe and well, much speedier than i was expecting.
Its tough when you are feeling like things aren't progressing quickly, but you might find once your body gets you to active labour things will really speed up.
Good luck.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 17:01

Thanks Frizz - that really helps. Congrqtulations of your new arrival :) Your timeline sounds similar to mine. My pain started on Tuesday evening. Really hoping there's not much longer to go yet!

I've been to labour ward for 3 checks now and really don't want to go again unless I've got something new and exciting to tell them i.e. my waters breaking but no sign yet :(

Just hoping that what I'm doing at the moment is helping rather than hindering things.

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selfdestructivelady · 27/12/2013 17:04

Aww sad to see you still here how close are contractions now?

selfdestructivelady · 27/12/2013 17:05

Have you tried a good long walk I know it's the last thing you probably feel like but it will probably speed things up.

sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 17:08

I'd say every 4 mins still but don't feel as regular. Been lying on my side though to try to get some sleep - fairly successfully :)

I'm now sitting/bouncing on corner of bed to try to get things going again :)

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sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 17:09

Husband is taking the dog out in a bit - might go with him. It's only to the park and back. Can always stop and go home if it's very uncomfortable :)

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BetterWithCranberryWensleydale · 27/12/2013 17:26

You're doing brilliantly sanity!

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sanityisamyth · 27/12/2013 17:31

Thanks BWCW

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Greenkit · 27/12/2013 19:36

excited

DirtyThree · 27/12/2013 19:46

Did you go for a walk? I imagine you must be knackered but keeping busy and active when you're not able to sleep might help.... My waters went about 3 hours after contractions started and about an hour and a half before dd was born so hopefully if yours do go that will speed things up!!

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