Stop start labour nearly breaking me

[sunshineandshowers]

39w today. Dc3.

Was up from 2.30 lasted till 8.30am. Pooed loads, proper proper contractions. Stopped.

Same thing happened all last Saturday, and a week before that in the Thursday evening.

I feel wretched. Am so fed up. With previous 2 just went into labour and that was that (first one after a sweep). Midwife has offered me a sweep this Friday. It literally feels like an eternity away.

Baby is in good position. Swings between having his back down my right and my left. Every time I'm in the labour bit he is on the left.

Hellllpppp!!!!

Wowsers zsa zsa... What a story! I bet a bit scary at the time. And what a name. She has to grow up to be a princess. It's beautiful.

What's going on cleoteacher? I don't know why you wouldn't follow normal induction protocol. Pessary then drip?

No baby here. Had sweep this afternoon. Was soft, 2cm, half effaced. Fingers crossed. 39 plus 5. Just can't wait to meet him.

I am 40+10 today and have had a sweep the last two days in a row. Today mw said that I was a lot better than yesterday. She said was 3cm and could stretch to 3-4cm written in notes. Much softer and she could be quite invasive. Had bloody show yesterday and more bloody mucus today. Cramps when walking today and bit of tummy ache all afternoon but nothing in between really. So feel like going forwards in terms of cervix but not in terms of cramps/pains. She didn't want to commit but said she hopes I'll go into labour over the weekend,me too! Don't know if that means I am likely to or not. Been on a half hour walk and then an hour brisk walk and time on the birthing ball.

Sunshine- mw was one who suggested they would break waters as induction menthol. Not sure if this is better or worse? absolutely will not be having the drip. Heard so many horror stories about it and I do not want something so artificial starting my labour. Think I would ask for an epidural first if I absolutely had to go on it.

I Am against following routine induction procedure because term is actually to 42 weeks and I was induced with ds and would love a more natural labour this time. I didn't cope with the intensity of the contractions so quickly and panicked and then was examined and then couldn't get up from the bed due to contractions so panicked and ended up with an epidural. So for lots of the birth I was out of it so don't remember too much. I want to avoid that again if possible and want it to be much more natural this time.

Oh the best of luck to you all. My v good friend had a stop start pre-labour for 2 weeks with her 3rd. Her dd was born at 41+2 in a pretty quick 90 minute labour, all straightforward and obviously speedy. The midwife kept telling her it was doing something and that labour would be quick and straightforward in the end. I was v proud to be her birth partner.

You're right btw sunshineandshowers, you don't influence labour. Sex doesn't start it or speed it up. It's a myth with no evidence behind it whatsoever so you are fine to lie on whatever side you like, doing what you like and eating as many cakes as you want.

Runs off to have more cake.

Oooh can I join in please? Friday night, contractions all night, every 4 mins lasting more than 40 seconds, got up for breakfast and it all stopped. Yesterday took dd to ballet contractions started again untill 3:30 am when they just died a death. They got to every 2 mins 40 seconds. I was so close to getting the midwife out the only thing that stopped me is that although they felt strong, I didn't squeak. From past experience I tend to get to a point where i can't cope with the pain well and make shrill noises. Must be very annoying for midwives and DH. Midwife apt today was very disappointing, she wouldn't check me over and refused to do a sweep untill 41 weeks.

3littlebadgers I am still with you. Had labour pains all day yesterday. Fell asleep 4 times. Had a few random ones today.

Your midwife does not seem helpful. I am seeing again this afternoon and she is doing another sweep. 40 plus 2. I don't understand what is going on.

The worst thing is I feel so vulnerable that I barely want to leave the house, which is depressing.

Have had loads of mucous, which is a show? I've never had a show before until baby ready to pop out.

Oh sunshine, sounds like a show but like you I'm not very showy. I get what you mean about not wanting to leave the house. I'm getting to the point that I don't trust myself to know when I am in labour! Let's hope there is baby news for us both very soon

Yes! I don't trust myself to know when in labour. And it's good to know you feel the same re house. Sorry it's so stressful x bring on these babies. Do you know what your having. I am having a little boy.

Hi ladies, I'm in the same boat- 40+1 and on/off contractions since fri/sat it's driving me mad so I'm glad to find this thread!
I saw the mw on mon who said at least I'm getting tightenings as if I make it to my sweep on friday it is more likely to have an effect than if I wasn't feeling anything. As someone else said she didn't seem to rate them for FTMs otherwise.
Just been for a walk so today's have started up again so now it's clary sage bath time and raspberry leaf tea this afternoon.
It's so frustrating not being able to go anywhere in case labour starts

Ah well at least we are in good company. I'm having a girl, a very comfy stubborn, little girl. I've been trying everything that's out there, to no avail. I blame DH. I feel he is not trying hard enough with his prostaglandins and focusing too much on the sperm! He needs to rectify this quick smart or I might turn nasty as well as whale like.

Oh dear, time moves so slowly when this is happening doesn't it?

It happened with DS1 for me (who went on to flip back to back trans and get quite spectacularly stuck). My grandmother who had seven kids likes to joke that my labour lasted longer than all of hers put together!

I was doing all of the standard walking around, sex and bounding on a ball to try and get out of early labour limbo. My friend who is a midwife told me to stop all of that and try and create a relaxing, nest like environment for myself with dim lighting, because if your body is anxious it senses threat and that it might not be a good time to have a baby. My labour really did seem to take off when I started to relax. I don't know if the science behind it checks out but it makes a lot of sense to me, no other creature in the animal kingdom chooses to bounce up and down on exercise balls to start their labours off (although that conjures up funny images!).

Well he came! 2nd March monday.

Went in at 2pm because he was being so quiet. Couple of minor contractions when on machine. Then big one. Then two big ones then whoop. Massive ones. Said get me to delivery suite. I need gas and air. Baby boy born 1 hour later. I am so glad I was at the hospital. Don't think we would have made it otherwise.

I really think all the contractions beforehand were doing the job of labour. I do think they were part of labour. They lasted 5 weeks on and off. Saturday night before the Monday birth I was up all night and morning with contractions. V mild. Tbh I have found it all quite stressful.

Baby is perfect. He's big 9lb 2oz. He's fabulous. I'd forgotten how funny newborns are with their funny squeaking and arm waving. He's v alert. Cuddling daddy as we speak xxx

Good luck to anyone else having stop start labours.