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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Labour??? Please don't tell me off.

89 replies

izzykate · 09/03/2007 11:29

I have been a big fan of mumsnet for a while and watched quite a few threads and seen some great advice, i am now looking for advice myself. I am due tommorow (had a non-blood stained show 3 weeks ago) and like most at this stage fed up, i went for last hospital app yesterday and was already given an induce date of 23/3, but to be honest don't want to make it, so last night (this is where you PLEASE don't tell me off) i had dh go and buy me castor oil, i took it last night at 8.15pm, and at 3 am this morn woke up with belly cramp and diahrea which lasted till 6am but all the while i was having BH (i think they were BH), between then and now i have been getting stronger than normal BH but not that close together (20mins or so), and at 10am this morn had another show but this one was pink not clear like three weeks ago, if anyone been through this or got any advice i would love to hear it, thanks in advance.

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 09/03/2007 11:31

youre for it! lol

pink is promising in my two experiences but everyone is different.

Original poster
izzykate · 09/03/2007 11:41

LOL Flowers i'm waiting for the slapped danny's.

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Indith · 09/03/2007 11:46

God you are brave, I went 2 weeks over, tried everything except castor oil I was far too afraid of spending labour with the runs!

Good luck!

missmillie · 09/03/2007 12:03

Hello...how are you feeling now? Castor oil hmm...you know, in the US they actually recommend it so don't worry too much. The idea behind it is that the effects that you have obviously experienced is your bowels very irritated and due to their proximity to your uterus, supposedly it will also irritate your uterus. Irritated uterus=stimulated uterus=possible contractions. They probably are BH as you say but may well turn into true contractions. A pink show is usually promising although keep an eye on it to make sure it's not turning brown or red. The best way to get into labour (but of course this will only happen if your baby is ready too) is sex and lots of it . Semen contains a natural yet more potent form of prostaglandins which is what they use to induce you. Loads of nipple stimulation and kissing is great for oxytocin release (what your body produces in labour)and if at all possible orgasms for you are great for stimulating the cervix. Sorry if this is all unthinkable at this stage but nice to think that what got the baby in there is what gets the baby out!!

lulumama · 09/03/2007 12:14

what missmillie said !! but not the castor oil again, really, you don;t want to spend your labour on the loo!! try ripening the cervix to kickstart labour not irritating your bowels

eat and drink and keep your strength up and rest when you feel like it, a show is a good sign ,but labour might not start today,but you are definitely on the way

think positive birthy thoughts !

missmillie · 09/03/2007 12:24

Yes, I should have clarified that I wasn't advocating using the castor oil again!!!

lulumama · 09/03/2007 12:26

Ina May Gaskin, my absolute childbirth icon, says you need to use the sexy energy that got the baby in there , to get it out too !! it does really help!! as missmillie has said

gentlebirth site- good natural induction tips on here!

Original poster
izzykate · 09/03/2007 12:44

contractions are at 20mins apart no budge, i could try the sex thing but i can't have the big O havn't been able to since 19wks pg no matter what i have tried.

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Original poster
izzykate · 09/03/2007 16:23

How long did anyone go from bloody show to actual start of labour, just wondering cause i've had two. both three weeks apart. second being this morn.

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colditz · 09/03/2007 16:41

Second show usaually last one. I had baby within 24 hours. Good luck!

Original poster
izzykate · 09/03/2007 17:34

bump

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twoplusone · 09/03/2007 19:36

goodluck.. izzykate

FWIW- with DS I had my show at 8am on friday morning and he was born at 4.23am on sat morn...

lulumama · 10/03/2007 08:24

a week for me ! it;s a really good positive sign, think positive birthy thoughts, bounce on the gym ball and wait! x

scrapper · 10/03/2007 19:09

I've been told by a midwife friend that to get the best effect from the prostaglandins in semen, you should..erm...take it orally! (grin)

She swears it was written up in a midwifery journal!

I didn't try it myself when I was two weeks overdue because if OH had come anywhere NEAR me waving that thing-that-got-me-in-this-state-to-start-with, he would now be a Stephanie not a Steven.

Indith · 10/03/2007 20:06

lol at scrapper

I actually got really really horny when I went 2 weeks over!

Original poster
izzykate · 12/03/2007 13:22

Hope all is well, i'm now 40+2, i am booked with midwife on wednesday for a sweep, i don't know what it does, but i'll give it go, i have been told it's like getting an internal, and it has worked for some women lets just see if it works for me.

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Original poster
izzykate · 15/03/2007 18:45

Well am now 40+5, had a sweep yesterday, (didn't hurt really just uncomfy) don't think it worked but been getting the feeling like THINGS are going to fall out between my legs, am getting painful but not consistant BH, MW says he fully engaged my cervix is 2cm long 1.5cm dialated (don't know if this is a good thing), am booked for induction on 23/3 but really don't want to make it, if sweep is going to work shouldn't it have worked by now.

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deaconblue · 16/03/2007 08:53

I had two sweeps and went into labour about 36 hours after the second one. Go for lots of long walks, I'm sure that helped get me started. Try to get lots of rest too in between the walks. No one can prepare you for how knackered you will feel this time next week. BUT you'll have a beautiful baby
oh no, just went all broody

claricebean · 16/03/2007 09:04

Any news, IK? I'm 37+2, so still a while to go. I'm an advocate of the long walks too. I'm sure that's what got DC3 going. Good luck - perhaps you've already got your babe

twoplusone · 16/03/2007 09:43

izzykate- goodluck.. when I had my sweep at 40weeks.. my cervix was 2cm athick and 1cm dilated.. had sweep at 1pm on the thursday.. felt funny all night wanted to be bymyself and chill.. had show friday morning.. with mild contractions all day.. had ds at 4.23am on the saturday morning..

Good luck hun

twoplusone · 16/03/2007 09:43

2cm long not thick!"!!

Original poster
izzykate · 16/03/2007 12:34

nope still here, am still getting strong bh but nothing to really write home about, i have reserved myself to the induction (don't really want it i would like it to be spontanious), am not seeing midwife till hospital next friday so i am reserved to the walks and sex (if i can manage looking like a heffer) we are going for a walk round shops this after, and might go pics tonight, thinking is if we plan it might just go belly up with labour, is anyone else at this stage and really p*ed off.

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ScoobyDooooo · 16/03/2007 12:44

Try eating fresh pineapple i told my mate to do this & the next day she was in labour this was last weeks, i would giveit all a go, the walks, sex, hot curry, pineapple, walk up & down the stairs.

Goodluck hope it happens soon i know how awful it is being late i was 10 days late with ds & went down the castor oil route he was bor the next evening.

pucca · 16/03/2007 12:44

I had a show on the Monday and ds was born on the Sunday, yet with dd i had a show and immediately my contractions started and waters popped!

Good luck

SachaF · 16/03/2007 12:54

You are saying you really don't want to be induced? Don't forget it is your decision to be induced or not, they can only advise you not make you. My MW was telling me about a lady who went 23 days over at our hospital with one and 20 with the other so it is your choice, just make sure you have the appropriate information to make a decision.
Also there's a whole week to go for you yet - I technically was 40+5 but if they had readjusted to the scan dates I would have been 42 exactly. I was pleased they didn't re-adjust my date as I didn't want to be persuaded to be induced too early.