39+5 v v strong pains all week and utterly dreading 3rd birth

[susiedon38]

This pregnancy has been totally different than the other two....I don't know what is normal and feeling really freaked out, in pain and v scared!!!

Had v strong period pains for last week and a half much much worse during the night....not been able to sleep much. With back pain and shooting pains on legs. V strong and sore Braxton Hicks for last two weeks possibly made worse by PSD which came on at 34 weeks.

Is this all normal? How much longer? Will the sweep I'm booked in for on Tuesday make it all happen?! Is this because I am older now (39)....and heard third labours/births can be v unpredictable?

Sorry for all questions...just so fed up now. Other 2 pregnancies were pain free until waters broke then full on pain then baby arrived....(first was induced 8 days late, second came on due date)

Thank you!!

Hi I know they are all different but if it's any consolation my third labour was fine and he was 10lb 8. I was very nervous before too. I just kept thinking if I can't cope I will just have every drug offered!
I suffered with really bad spd too and was on such a high after the birth because it was gone I might have felt like I had been kicked by a donkey but the evil spd had totally gone felt so much better straight after and it had totally gone after 3 days after months of agony it was amazing.
Totally understand where you're coming from but it really will be ok :)

Oh thanks Pregnantagain7.....I've been advised to avoid at all costs giving birth lying on my back...with legs too wide and stirrups being an absolute no no....likely I'll need stiches again .....believe these positions can make spd much worse after birth??

What did you find helpful?....

Being perfectly honest I probably did every thing you shouldn't, I was induced so had waters broke no drip as contractions got going on their own I had an epidural, delivered on my back, in stirrups! I was fine but obviously it's probably not the best i didn't have stitches and as a said he was very big.
If you do go down the epidural route the positions you can deliver are really restricted however if you don't I would imagine being upright or all fours would be good. I only had g and a with my first and would imagine that once the contractions really get going you would probably not notice the spd as much. But could be wrong on that as not experience it. I don't think it will have as much impact as you think on your labour.
I know it doesn't happen for everyone but for me it really was amazing how quickly I went from crutches and struggling to walk or even move to being pretty much pain free (well from the spd! Felt a bit battered and bruised from the birth obviously) :)

Thank you!!