What is going on??!

[Julesbegone]

Will keep this as clear as possible:

40+6 with first baby. Small amount of bright red blood yesterday morning so called the hosp: told to keep an eye on it. That stopped and contractions started, lasting between 30-40 seconds every 5 mins. This continued for 15 (yes fifteen) hours before gradually becoming less intense and spaced out.

Managed to sleep last night, waking very hour or so to another contraction and then had bloody show this morning and severe constant period type pains with contractions every 10 mins.

Now having them approximately every 5 minutes again: they are more intense than at any stage yesterday: I can’t talk through them, for instance.

Is this going to be the real thing?? Please tell me it is because I don’t think I have the strength for another day like this!

I'd ring the hospital again if I were you OP, certainly sounds like it could be time for your little one to arrive!

Sounds like it to me. Call the hospital. Bit being able to talk through the contraction is a sign they will look for

Good luck op! 👍

I’m so worried that if I go in, it will all stop again?! I think I can handle this for a bit longer: would I be reckless to stay put for a little while?

Hiw close are you to the hoapital? Even if it does stop again, at least it would put your mind at rest. If you've had ' the show' then you are on your way to giving birth soon enough anyway. Call them up and see what they say.

How hospital sorry

Only 15 mins. I’ll give them a call now - better safe than sorry

They told me to go in, took blood pressure, fundal height and felt baby’s movements and then sent me home again. The Midwife helpfully pointed out for first time mum’s, this phase of labour can ‘take weeks.’

I’m really in pain though: every contraction I honestly don’t feel like I can do another one. No position makes them easier and I feel like I’m going to vomit when each one reaches its climax. I don’t think I can do this for even one more night, let alone days. What am I going to do?

Are you home alone or do you have a partner or mum with you? It won't be much longer before you will have baby, especially as you are 40+6 and have lost your mucus plug. Try and have some baths and if you have anyone at home with you ask them to try massage your lower back, I found this really helped. Did they give you any helpful advice? Or did they just tell you to wait it out?

Also it won't take weeks that's not exactly helpful of them. I'd feel patronised if that was said to me

Yes, husband is here and Mum is on her way. Midwife just said to take some paracetamol and ride it out. I don’t think I’m a wimp: I usually have quite a high pain threshold but I really don’t see how I can continue in this level of discomfort for much longer.

Blimey are they short of beds! Weeks? You're already overdue.

Hope baby comes soon.

Oh OP- this is exactly how my labour started five weeks ago.

I had my first contraction at 3am on Monday morning and dd made her entrance at 8am on the Friday. I had contractions as you described every 5-20 mins in between.

I was panicking thinking that the lack of sleep would mean I couldn't labour effectively- try and rest, but don't worry about this. You will find the energy when the time comes, even if you're dead on your feet.

Stay hydrated- I was so uncomfortable I wasn't eating or drinking as I should have been which meant I eventually became dehydrated which slowed things down even more.

My midwife unit gave me some codeine during my second day which meant I was able to get four hours sleep (the last I had until I went into hospital on the fourth day)- is this an option?

I had a very similar experience. I won’t bore you with details but please please make sure you drink as much fluids as you can (either water or sports glucose drinks esp if you can’t stomach eating) - being well hydrated is so important for being able to dilate and for having the stamina to get through it.

And if they try to fob you off next time you go in, just refuse to leave. Good luck, sending you loads of powerful lady vibes!

How could it take weeks when you are 40+6 and seem to be losing your plug?

Get your husband to phone and say there seems to be some confusion (means you're not having to speak to them again and argue the toss) and whatvdo theybsuggest as obviously thus won't carry on for weeks without intervention due to The fact you are overdue already

I would suggest staying at home as long as you can though

Yeah I went on exactly like this for 3 days. Good luck OP!

Thanks all: I’m taking all of your advice. Drinking lots of water: just had some toast, which is all I can really face. Feel like I’m in constant discomfort because even between contractions, baby’s movements are far from comfortable and I’m having shooting pains.

Is it normal to feel like you need a wee/ poo every contraction?

Any recommendations of positions to make this less painful? At the moment I feel like I’m flinging myself around, which really isn’t helping and is just adding to my rising feeling of panic. I need to sort myself out, especially if this is going to last days.

I found rocking on my hands and knees with something warm on my back helpful for the pain. I'd definitely give it an hour and then call again, and make sure they examine you properly.
Are you going to the toilet at all when you have the feeling through a contraction?

All 4s was best for me or walking and then squatting when the contraction hit. Also don’t tense up and breathe. Like really breathe. In deeply and out for as long as you can and try to time that out with the peak of the contraction.

I hate it that midwives do that. I was palmed off with ‘you’re not in labour. You’ve got ages yet’ and them saying ‘well you’re not coping well are you? It’s only going to get worse’

What they didn’t realise because no one bothered to check is that I was in full blown labour and dilating 5x quicker than they expected me to! So before they had even decided it would be time to check if I was in labour or not...the baby was crowing.

I had a c section with my first so I was monitored in hospital in case.

Rocking on hands and knees and over a birthing ball or leaning over a bed or chair or something was the only way I could cope with contractions.

All fours definitely working. Bath seemed to really help earlier too so might jump in there again. Using a tens machine, which I’m sure is helping though so sort of reluctant to take it off for bath. I know that everyone always says that childbirth is the most painful thing you can do as a woman but from the reaction of the midwife, there’s no point in going in until I’ve reached unimaginable levels of agony as I’ll obviously not be ready.

She is right, contractions on and off like this can take weeks. Mucus plug can come and go for days and weeks. Keep taking regular paracetamol, baths and showers, snacking and fluids, sitting on the toilet, pass urine regularly, use TENs if you have one, hot water bottle on your back and massage. Rest where you can.
Sitting in a hospital on latent phase isn’t a great idea, tends to prolong things aswell. You will get there. It’s flipping hard work, but your body is doing it lovely

How are things this morning?

Thanks to everyone who commented. I ended up insisting on going back in 3 hours later and was 8cm dilated.

Baby was born shortly after a very quick end stage!