When to go to hosp? WWYD?

[ThinkPinkStink]

I'm 41 weeks and it's my first.

I've been having contractions for around four hours (not v long).

They started at 45 seconds long and six minutes apart.

For the past two hours they are, on average, 58 seconds long and 3 minutes apart.

I know this is when I should go to the hosp, but I don't feel like it's time...

The contractions are not regular (sometimes every eight minutes, sometimes every minute and a half).

They are irregular strength (sometimes just a bit uncomfortable, other times genuinely painful).

They are irregular length (30-60 seconds).

They are very low down in my pelvis, which feels more like early labour (cervix opening) than later labour (squeezing baby down and out).

As an aside - my waters have not yet broken.

I've spoken to the midwife, she is happy to go with my lead.

I'm about 15 mins in a cab from the hosp.

WWYD?

[ThinkPinkStink]

Afresh are you getting some decent rest in between? If it's still ongoing tomorrow I strongly recommend a TENS machine, or at least gives you something to do. Fingers crossed for us and our 15 October babies!!

lljkk thank you, are you certain you don't fancy a go? I'm not entirely looking forward to the next stages.

[carmenta]

The fact that you're still able to time them yourself is a good sign that it's still early stages. I lost all ability to care about timing them once DD got herself sorted into the right position and things kicked off properly.

Juju Sundin's birth skills talks about things like rhythmical tapping your feet during contractions (and later on kicking harder as the pain escalates). I found that helpful.

Good luck!

[ThinkPinkStink]

Thanks Carmenta - I have a feeling I'll hold my shit together until the point at which I totally lose it I'm only really contraction tracking so as I have some facts to tell the midwife when I call to let them know I'm on my way in.

Similar to foot tapping, I find quietly rhythmically whistling on my out breath helpful when it really hurts. Probably as annoying AF to anyone around me though

I've had the poo and puke moment, which is a good sign - especially glad I did it between contractions as these bastards are not easy.

Contractions now averaging 1.03 minutes in length and occurring every 7 or so minutes.

Could still have hours/days left!!!

[icklekid]

Sounds like you are coping brilliantly and tens machines can be amazing! As you know it might ramp up quickly or it could be a while so do try and sleep to preserve energy if at all- even if just dosing watching tv. Good luck and hope all continues to go well!

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

Well done pink can't get over how calm you are! Good luck with it all, sounds like you're coping great.

[ThinkPinkStink]

Thank you! Thank you!!

To be honest I'm only really holding it together externally, I'm absolutely knackered I only slept for 3.5 hours last night, had on and off contractions all day and slept an hour tonight ('start as you mean to go on...etc.'), and though I feel equipped to handle contractions (a mix of hypnobirthing, TENS machine and pure bloody mindedness) I am pretty scared about the next bit. I don't feel like my body has taken over from my brain yet, and I know that's important.

Contractions still only 5 mins apart, averaging 58 seconds... I wish something conclusive would happen, ideally my waters breaking, so as I know it is the right time to go to the hosp. As a pp said I can no longer lie down without an immediate contraction. So it's sitting upright and standing for me.

I'm playing for time now, slowly getting dressed - packing the last few bits and bobs for the hosp bag (makeup, because I'll DEFINITELY feel like applying makeup ).

Will rally DH Into action (he's v supportive BTW, I just felt it'd be best to let him snooze as much as poss).

[Scarydinosaurs]

Good luck! I hope the rest happens quickly for you now!

[GizmoFrisby]

Sounds like your doing well but I would also be heading to hospital soon if I were you.

It's your first and anything could happen,also your waters may not go on their on, on both of my births they had to break the waters.
Well done for being brave but you really don't want to be leaving it much longer.

[rainbowstardrops]

Ooh very exciting! Good luck!

[Blackfellpony]

I went in when I felt like I couldn't stand the pain any more and needed some pain relief. DS was born soon after! I was glad I stayed at home as long as I could but the drive in was awful so I would think about going soon if I was you for that reason alone!

Also my waters never broke so I wouldn't wait for that.

Hope all goes well for you

[Afreshstartplease]

Hopefully you are snuggling your baby now thinkpink!

My contractions got to every 6-8 mins and then must have stopped because I woke up having had a couple of hours sleep

I've had one since being out of bed so disappointing

[arwenearlythereyet]

Is there a baby?????????

[Frazzled2207]

I hope you're in hospital now op. Sounds similar to my first labour they could see I was exhausted and were about to break my waters to move me on a bit when actually I moved on a bit myself. Whatever happens seems likely you will meet your baby very soon

[EvansAndThePrince]

You're amazing! Hope things have moved on drastically now!

[KitKat1985]

Hoping all is going well for you ThinkPink. xx

[AmyC86]

been following this thread & you've been amazing OP!!! Congratulations on the impending birth!!!

[Laststop]

Good luck x

[ThinkPinkStink]

I should ask MNHQ to rename this thread 'AIBU or is this the most boring labour ever?'...

We went to hosp, contractions continued in the taxi, three contractions between the taxi and the main hosp reception - I'd read so much about how the journey can slow the process that I took this to mean I had DEFINITELY come at the right time.

Midwives were lovely, one suggested that she'd be surprised if I was in active labour as I was so composed. I felt sure this was due to my nerves of steel...

No, it was due to the fact that I was only 2cm dilated... TWO CENTIMETRES!

We were sent home and I was so so disappointed. That's when the heaving tears came. I had a good old bawl, not a weep a full on snotty "I'm sorry I've ruined your life" fest (DH was ) I blame the hormones.

I've since napped. Had a warm bath, and bounced on the ball. Contractions have reverted to their daytime pattern (low down, every 10 or so minutes, quite manageable). The bladder pain is ungodly.

Thank you all for your kind wishes and I'm sorry I haven't been able to squeeze this little beasty out.

I am so frustrated right now

[KitKat1985]

Oh bless you ThinkPink. No wonder you are frustrated. Hopefully not too long to go now. xxx

[ShowOfHands]

Have you had your urine dipped recently? I only ask because of the bladder pain. UTIs feel v similar to early labour and they cause contractions.

Probably is just the joys of latent labour. Irritating but it's all helping. Rest as much as possible and good luck.

[ThinkPinkStink]

KitKat thank you! I'm hoping that baby/body work out their next steps soon. Currently feeling a bit useless :(

ShowOfHands I'm a teeny bit worried about the bladder pain to be honest. I don't have an infection (I've wee'd on three dip sticks in the last two weeks, most recently this morning - and all is fine). But I foolishly googled it (error!) and there is a scenario where engaged baby traps part of the urethra, I'm still weeing though - so presuming I'm just being a but of a weakling and it's likely quite normal, when I get period pains they also feel pretty bladder centric, so maybe that's just where my cramps centre...

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

Oh pink it'll happen when it happens, but understand the frustration. My waters broke, and ds then took 65 hours to arrive!

[Spindelina]

When this happened to me, I was ready to thump the next person who uttered the words "two centimetres". You'll get there eventually, but for now you have my utmost sympathy.

[Afreshstartplease]

thinkpink I'm still here too

Been mild-moderate contractions all day between 6-20 mins apart
Fell asleep for half hour 530-6 and only had one since woke up
Not feeling like tonight is the night

I admit I have contemplated exaggerating on the phone and going in because I do suspect I'm already a few cm, I think I've been dilating for weeks with it being baby 4
My waters have never broken naturally, I reckon if I got them broken I'd be off

[carmenta]

The spinning babies website has some early/stalled lot suggestions that might help.

Annoying though I found the following mantra, it actually kind of helped me when I was going through the same thing - every contraction is one you don't have to do again.