Yet another childbirth is this it thread

[Katy44]

Hi everyone
Started having contractions at about 7pm, only coming every half hour or so so went to bed before 10.
Don't know how often they're coming (still not very often) but I can't sleep through them now. Plus they seem to go on for ages - I thought at this early stage they would be fairly quick.
I don't really know what I want to know except I thought I'd go to sleep and they'd be gone by the morning (was expecting to go 2 weeks overdue). Does this sound like it, or will it probably go on for the next 10 days?

what do they feel like?

Hi Katy! No idea babe.. are they hurting?

Yes, they're still like period pain but worse than any period pain I've ever had.
Because I've been asleep and just waking up for them I've not really been thinking about timing them but I woke DH up last time with my groaning, plus I want to get up and move with each one. But now I'm up I'm really tired, might see if I can get some sleep on the sofa. I'm glad you're both around, thought I'd picked the one night where everyone had an early night.

Hope it comes to something.. was just thinking of heading to bed. Are you going to try and sleep or do you want me to keep you company?

I had Braxton Hicks for days before my DD was born - they sure felt real though! And I couldn't sleep through them very well either. I think they started on the Saturday and stopped on the Monday. They'd start at something like 4am and stop by the evening.
I woke up every morning thinking 'I am going to have a baby today!' and was disappointed and relieved at the same time!
So when they started again on the Tuesday morning, I thought 'oh, here we go again!'
But it was the real thing and I didn't know it until Tuesday afternoon, when I couldn't even climb into the bath!
I had her on the Wednesday afternoon

I don't know if that helps at all, but every labour is different.

Good luck anyways!

Have you tried paracetamol? Maybe a warm bath too?

Sounds like I should have some paracetemol and try to go to bed!
Go to bed maveta! That's really kind of you but you'll probably be in labour tomorrow exhausted from keeping me company while I'm snoozing happily on the sofa!
Haven't had another one since I posted this I don't think

butterflywings - how long did they go on for? I mean each individual contraction?

Rest and chill as much as you can - oh, as long as your bag is packed . If it starts feeling really meanignful or your waters go, give the labour ward a ring and they will talk you through whereyou're at and advise whether you need to boot your DH awake or call a taxi or whatever.

Best of luck and remember, when it gets a bit grim, that it doesn't last forever and soon you'll have a lovely DS/DD!

Katy - are you using the contraction timer?

Ummmm... It was a couple of years ago now so I can't really remember for sure - a few minutes maybe? They'd be quite regular at 20-30 mins apart, with the odd one here and there 5mins after the last one (if that makes sense)
I really did think it was it until I really was going through it and realised that the others had been quite mild in comparison
How far along are you in your PG?

Thanks madamez!
maveta, yes, I am now, have had one lasting 40s, but that was a minor one. The fact they're increasing and decreasing in strength to me implies this isn't really it.

I'm 40+3 if today is Thursday.
That does sound like what I'm having, am a bit worried now you've said they got a lot worse

Okay babe well I´m going to head to bed but you never know, could be up again so if you do wake up check in to see if anyone is around to keep you company. Good luck! x

Will do, think I might try to get some sleep too or I'll feel dreadful tomorrow, good night xx

Katy, - It might be uncomfortable, but I've had a couple of friends that have had long lead-ins, and although it made them very tired, when it actually came to it, the labour was very short and not too painful!

I rather think you're on your way Katy But it could be a good long while yet. BTW are you booked into a hospital or planning a home birth? And do you have things like TENS machine or birthing ball?

That sounds nice! They actually seem to be getting more frequent but less painful now...very odd.

Oh god.
Yes, am booked into hospital. I have a birthing ball and TENS as early pain relief (and MN )

Oh no, Katy, I didn't mean to scare you! I was just trying to explain what they felt like. Ooops!
I was 40wks and 3days when my Braxton Hicks started! How weird!

It does sound like your body is just 'practising' for the real thing - streching the muscles, if you like
But, yeah, I agree with every one else - get some sleep, have a nice warm bath tomorrow if it gets too much and, the most important piece of advice I was given when I was in labour - eat lots of sugary things, like apples, to keep your strength up

Keep your TENS handy and if you haven't done so before, read the instructions now (while you're not that desperate to use it). Otherwise, have a sleep now.
Best of luck, I'm off to bed myself cos DS will be up yamering at 7 as usual.

It was actually madamez's comment that scared me!
But actually having had no signs at all so far, it's quite nice that things are finally happening, even if it's just a practice.
Might go and have an apple now, could really fancy one

watching tv, surfing the internet, mn - all good distractions! Try not to slouch though!!

Goodnight madamez

I can't think of anything else you can eat - just remember stuffing my face with apples last minute!
Obviously, if you were really concientious, natural sugar is best, hence the apple suggestion.

I did sneak in a few cadbury fudge bars whilst walking around the ward though!