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Childbirth

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

Original poster

help! think I'm in labour, is anyone up?

139 replies

Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 02:48

1st timer here, been having steady contractions (with pain but not unbearable pain) from 4pm this afternoon to now, was every 10-15 minutes, now every 8 minutes. Bloody show at 11pm. Hurts too much to sleep so got up and ate some noodles. Can't wake the inlaws (who would be taking me to hospital) at this time, and hospital said only go at 5 cm... DH in London (I'm in Belgium) and also don't want to wake him just yet...

If anyone's up I'd really appreciate your support, just a friendly face!

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kjaysmum · 06/10/2006 02:52

hello, ooh ooh you must be very excited, just think you're going to see his/her face soon, but not too soon I hope! hold on in there I'm sure your going to be just fine, don't forget to breath

mrsdarcy · 06/10/2006 02:56

I'm up but not for long I'm afraid. Good luck though . Those contractions sound pretty regular. How far are you from the hospital?

Original poster
Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 03:02

thanks ladies!

I'm only 7 mins by car from the hospital, but don't want to go in before DH gets here.. and can't wake the in laws up (I've decided not till 6am unless the contx go regularly to 5 minutes apart or less).. I'm quickly trying to read the labour bits of the baby books (left it a bit late there) as I've forgotten everything!

OP posts:
mamado · 06/10/2006 03:09

Have you called dh gemmity? I'm sure he'll be really excited. Will he be able to get to you quickly? How are you feeling? Scared or excited or just don't know??

kjaysmum · 06/10/2006 03:10

Bit confused about the DH bit, is he flying in then? I know no'one wants to get to hospital too early but be aware that mine came fast, so don't worry about waking people up, this is your big day, I'm sure they won't mind.

MrsApronstrings · 06/10/2006 03:13

gemmity - when is your due date?
You can wake the inlaws before 6 if you need to - are you on your own with them?

mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:15

Are you still there? Are you ok? How exciting!

MrsApronstrings · 06/10/2006 03:17

also very excited - I wont sleep now
Good luck - I think the birth of my first baby was the best day of my life[all welled up emoticon]

arfishymeau · 06/10/2006 03:17

Hi Gem! How are things? It's only lunchtime here so I'll be here for a while.

Any news on DP arriving? How often are the contractions? You sound like you're doing well

mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:19

Me too, MrsApronStrings - ds just turned 1, so this is reminding me of the day I had him. Feeling all nostalgic now! Gemmitygem, it really was the best day of my life

Original poster
Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 03:23

thanks everyone! hope it will be a joyful day, but I'll feel better once DH is here (we both live in Central Asia and came back for the birth, so he's working in London this week and next and supposed to come over once I'm in labour.)> but don't want to get it wrong as he's coming tomorrow night anyway..

oops, a contx is just kicking in, back in a sec

OP posts:
mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:24

Is DH not on his way yet?

MrsApronstrings · 06/10/2006 03:25

arfishy - glad to hear you will be around for a while - 10.20 for me - but I need to go to bed now.

Gemmity - hope everything is OK and dh gets there - if your waters break consider waking the inlaws and going in - things can really speed up then.

will be adding this to watch and waiting to see how it goes - have you woken DH and is he on his wy from England now - cos if not it sounds like you should.

Original poster
Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 03:26

phew! Ok, so, am on my own with ILs, decided to have the baby in Belgium for various reasons but mainly cos ILs who live there (FIL and his wife who are lovely) a spare flat for us to stay in with baby after it's born, plus the medical care, specially after-care is v good in Belgium.

Am 39 +2 so it shouldn't come as that much of a surprise..

It's funny cos I feel fine between contx but the contx themselves are really starting to hurt and I have to count things or count the clock.. can't see how I'll make it all the way without drugs at this rate !!

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mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:27

Absolutely - I agree with MrsA - think DH should be making his way there. Things can speed up...

Have your waters broken yet?

It's 9:25 here and was going to go to bed, but I'll hang around now...

mrsdarcy · 06/10/2006 03:29

Have you called your DH?
Is this your 1st baby?

So exciting

kjaysmum · 06/10/2006 03:29

well I shall leave you with your familiars now Gemmitygem, lots of luck to you, I shall watch for the announcement ...x

mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:30

Oh goodness! I had to be on my hand and knees with my contractions. I insisted on having a shower before I went to the hospital and was on my hand & knees in there too. Then, being the rather vain & stubborn person I am, refused to go until I had straightened my hair. What was I thinking?!

Original poster
Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 03:30

hmm. do you really think I should ring DH? My reasoning is, the first flight/eurostar isn't till 6-7 am anyway, and maybe I'm imagining it worse than it is, and with a first baby it could take AGES (and he's supposed to be on a flight tomorrow evening at 8pm anyway)...

Basically after twinges for the last few days have had what I would say were contx every 10-15 mins from 4pm-midnightish, then every 8-9 minutes since then, solid, with pain getting slowly but surely worse.. so I'd imagine there was a long way to go yet, but don't know.. It's not THAT painful yet, so I don't think I can be very far along (I am an absolute wimp with pain and have always thrown up from period pains etc, and don't feel at all sick from it now..)

OP posts:
mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:32

I would definitely call him. Then at least he knows to be ready for the first flight/ eurostar. And he'll be soooo excited!

Have you waters broken? How long is each contraction?

MrsApronstrings · 06/10/2006 03:33

gemmity - you don't have to do it without drugs - you will be amazed at how strong your body can be though - dig deep, remember to breathe - and when the contraction has ended let it go - dont stay tense

Time to phone dh I would say - without doubt. How long will it take him to get there

mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:35

Not to scare you, but my waters broke & I had no contx. Then, 30 mins later they started, but lasted 1 minute and were 3 mins apart, so I had to go to hospital straight away (well, after the previously mentioned shower and hair straightening. Oh, and a bowl of Rice Krispies!). I was only in labour for 6 hours. I know that was very quick for a 1st baby, but I wouldn't have liked to be waiting...

I'd let him know even if things are progressing slowly.

mamamaaargh · 06/10/2006 03:36

Sounds like your doing great btw - and all by yourself. I tend to panic so am very impressed!

Original poster
Gemmitygem · 06/10/2006 03:37

thanks mrs apronstrings and mmmargh, will try to follow your advice. Contx last about 40-60 seconds.

Think DH could get a plane at either 7am or 9am, it's a tiny plane which goes from London city airport to antwerp and antwerp airport is very small, so it shouldn't be more than 2 hours door to door.. the prob is I guess you reach the stage where you need the person with you right at that moment..

OP posts:
MrsApronstrings · 06/10/2006 03:38

with my first i had a show at midday, back ache and mild contractions in the afternoon, waters broke 6pmish things hotted up 10-11pmish baby born 3 am.