Am I in labour?

[slithytove]

Third baby, 40+5, trying for a home vbac

Previous stillbirth and sections so this is my first 'normal' gestation and labour.

I had a sweep on Sunday and been losing bits of mucus plug ever since, no bloody show though.

I've been getting irregular contractions since midnight, sometimes 1 every 10 mins, sometimes 1 a minute. They take my breath away and I feel like I need to poo with each one. Also have a fair bit of back pain but this is pretty normal for me.

I am constipated and have terrible wind

Could this be labour? Should I take any paracetemol or Fybogel or anything? If I'm going to have a baby tm I'd really like to get some sleep and at the moment contractions are preventing that.

Good lucky slithy

Luck*

Good luck! I am 40+5 today and a bit envious!

Had a lovely nap, contractions completely stopped, and midwife has just been to check baby and do another sweep. Baby fine which is a relief. She reckons when it gets dark things will get going again, so to just rest until then.

Good luck!

Good luck!

Good luck! Can't see it being long now

I had this with DS1 from 40 + 7. Eight nights of starting labour about 1am. Each night getting to contractions 4 mins apart, and then completely stopping at 8am every morning. It was very frustrating.

Fingers crossed it will all kick off good stylee tonight. I shall be up with the incredible shitting boob monster at about 1-3 and 5-7am, so will be checking in on you :)

When it gets dark things will get going?

That sounds scientific

There was a cat and airing cupboard reference too, I'm sure it's all highly steeped in anecdotal evidence something to do with the body knowing it can't relax fully in daylight in case predators are about?

I think I'm safe, but I guess you can never be too careful!

God MrsK, I've had two nights of this and it's unbearable, I couldn't hack another week. I think I'd be begging for another section :(

Aha, found your thread, Slithy! Sounds like you're in for a long night but oh it will be worth it.

So glad you have good MW support! And I'll be here for another hour or so, but might miss the good bit. :)

Good luck slithy!

Good luck slithy try and rest today in preparation. If you are able, when the contractions get going try to stay upright and let gravity help.

Incredible shitting boob monster pretty much sums up my 4 week old, mrsk!

Hope it's not too long a wait for your bundle of fun!

May I recommend pushing/holding upright one small child learning to ride their bike without stabilisers in order to induce labour? Worked for me at 42+5 with DS3 - just picture it: me, as large as the side of a barn, boobs so big they had their own moons, haunched over holding DS2's bike while trying to waddle run alongside him .
DS3 arrived the next day after a rather short, but v effective labour.

Or you could just laugh imagining me until you pop

Just stumbled across this and remember you from a thread a while back Slithy and just wanted to wish you all the best, I have my fingers crossed that you'll be cuddling a newborn by breakfast time!

You could patent that image, Pacific

I don't envy you Slithy - my soon to be SIL is 40 + 6 and equally fed up. It seems a lot are.

Do something you'd never want to be in the middle of when labour starts - sure way to get it moving along :)

Yup, i may even go into labour laughing at that image and i'm not even pregnant!

Glad to be of service

41 + 1 sorry oops see why you guys are fed up though I only got to 39 + 5 until I was induced and c sectioned.

Lovely to have all this support :)

Just got back from swimming with DS, now there is something you don't want to do while contracting! It was his first time trying armbands, and I kept having to just push him to mum every so often and go for a quiet moment slowly dying in the corner of the pool.

Still contracting at least once in every ten minutes, feel constantly like I want to bear down, and the last couple have had me in tears they have been so painful. Yet my midwife refers to them as 'niggles' . No idea how I'll cope when they get worse.

I sympathise OP I can't think of anything worse than trying to teach a toddler a new thing whilst contracting or being heavily pregnant at all.

I hope things get moving for you soon slithy.

Big contraction, smiley baby vibes coming your way.

Is your baby back to back?

That often gives you back pain and premature bearing-down feelings.