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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Another 'Am I in Labour' thread

27 replies

monkeygirl · 07/06/2004 23:57

Don't know if I am getting myself over-excited or am in denial. This is my second pregnancy and am 39+4 weeks. For several hours I have had back pains/mild contractions but for over 2 hours now I've been timing them and they vary between 4-15 minutes (mostly between 5-8 mins). Changing position does not alter them, but they are not very painful. Could they still be Braxton Hicks or is this the start of it? (In my last pregancy they very conveniently got shorter and more intense in a regular manner, iyswim)

TIA

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jampot · 08/06/2004 00:02

hi monkeygirl, fingers crossed for you I used to get my bh contractions when I stood up, or went to the loo, or just about did anything from about 23 weeks, they weren't painful at the beginning but were more uncomfortable the further I was, they literally took my breath awway and I felt about 2 stone heavier when having them. Have you any other symptoms? I notice Mears is around - she is a midwife (I think)

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:07

I've been having bhs for a while but they have definitely never been this painful before. No other symptoms, apart from going to the loo alot - but what's new! What makes me doubt it slightly is that they are not particularly increasing in intensity but then there are lots of 'them' whatever 'them' are.

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jampot · 08/06/2004 00:11

are you able to keep on the move monkeygirl?

jampot · 08/06/2004 00:13

when i first went into labour, my contractions only came about every 10 minutes and were painful (but not massively so) more like bad period pain and lasted for about 2 mins. They did wake me up and I found them irritating (if that makes sense). I had more pain in my back which I found harder to cope with.

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:17

Yes if you can imagine a fat John Wayne moving around . But am wondering whether to go to bed and try and get some rest just in case.

Thanks for your support on this Jampot. Not many of us up late, eh?

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clary · 08/06/2004 00:18

Monkeygirl if they've been going every 5 or so mins for 2 hrs then based on my exp you are in labour! yes go for it! My Braxton Hicks used to be maybe every 15 mins for an hour and then no more. With DS2 he was a few days early so I was in denial when I woke in pain at 4am. But by 5am, neighbour comes round to sit with the other kids and I'm crawlign about on the floor, saying er yes I think this is it. You'll know soon surely. How far from hosp are you? And are you all set to go in? But do manage it at home as long as poss. Let us know! (ooh, I'm goign all excited just thinking about it!)

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:20

In my last pregnancy dd1 was OP so contractions were completely in my back. This time tightening is round my pelvis area as well so am hoping db is in a better position this time!

Contractions still irregular but now all under 10 mins...

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Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:23

Clary - yes I am packed and was finally forced into writing my birth plan tonight! Hospital is only about 10 mins away. I desperately want to get db out but was hoping not to have to disturb dd1's sleep tonight (we have to go to 'babysitter' as she can't come here sadly).

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jampot · 08/06/2004 00:26

Oh monkeygirl - I hope you are in labour. Now have you made sure you're presentable re: brazilian thread and you have no hard skin on your feet ?

mears · 08/06/2004 00:31

monkeygirl - my advice (as a midwife) would be to take 2 paracetamol and have a warm bath then go to bed.You may or may not be starting to go into labour but what you mustn't do is keep walking around at this time of night to get it going. It may all stop or it might be that you do not go into proper established labour for a few hours yet and by then you will be exhausted.
Try reverse psychology and ignore what is going on (even though it is really exciting).
I remember this second time round and deciding as I lay down that I would phone the hospital if it continued over the next 20 mins. I woke up very disappointed the next day .
You may be experiencing 'prelabour' contractions that can go on for hours. It is the body's way of preparing for labour which might not start properly for a few days yet.
Get in that bath.....

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:32

My feet are ok but it's a veritable jungle down there

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jampot · 08/06/2004 00:33

lol MG

jampot · 08/06/2004 00:35

MG don't forget to post on your way out of the door to hosp just to tell us where you're going and when you'll be back....

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:37

Thanks Mears - I am worried that I am getting myself overexcited for nothing as contractions are still between 6-9 minutes but still not increasing in intensity. I will go lie down after a quick shower (sorry but hate baths in hot weather) and see how it goes.

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Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 00:39

Thanks Jampot - I'll will try - just hope this doesn't go on for days for everyone's sake!

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mears · 08/06/2004 00:42

It's not particularly hot up here in Scotland at the moment
Pity it's so hot where you are because the buoyancy of the water in the bath is probably more beneficial than the shower. Depends where you are most comfy though. If you are kept awake tonight remember to eat something. You body does better in labour when it has some fuel on board. Will check in tomorrow to see what happens. Best wishes.

karen01 · 08/06/2004 01:28

Good luck MG hopefully we will both have some news tommorrow. I am going to try to sleep but still can't get comfortable.

Toothache · 08/06/2004 07:46

Could it be that a June person has gone into labour????

Any news Monkeygirl?

karen01 · 08/06/2004 09:16

Anynews MG. mine stopped again.

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 10:11

Sod it I'm still here! Contractions are not as bad as last night but still there - at least I managed to get some sleep.

It's just a new way my body has found to torture me - the pain without any gain. I need a big sigh emoticon...

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Pidge · 08/06/2004 10:32

ooh sympathies - I went through this for 48 hours before proper labour started with my dd. It is so frustrating. Like mears says, the best thing (hah, impossible I know) is to try to relax, get some rest, chill out and not get excited.

Hopefully this is a sign that your body is getting ready to go, so am eagerly looking forward to some more birth announcements.

Good luck both

pupuce · 08/06/2004 10:45

Totally agree with Mears- rest before you get into proper labour.... paracetamols are a good thing to use as they kind of make you sleepy and numb some of the pain....

Toothache · 08/06/2004 11:03

Sorry to gatecrash, but I had to ask...

Pupuce - Paracetamol makes you sleepy????? Does it?? I take it all the time for headaches etc! Might explain why I'm a dozy git sometimes.

Original poster

monkeygirl · 08/06/2004 11:09

Thanks all. Got to say though that this heat is doing a good job of numbing everything and making me into even more of a dozy cow atm.

My sympathies to all you July/August/September mums-to-be who have to suffer it for even longer...

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mears · 08/06/2004 11:47

Morning monkeygirl - thought you'd still be here this morning but you just never know

Hope it happens for you soon. Start making appointments to do things such as go for a meal or hairdo. You're sure to go into labour then when you have other things to do

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