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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Contractions coming and going

51 replies

sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 09:47

I'm not sure if this is a big old moan or a question...

I am 39+3 and started having bad cramps around midnight last night. Went to the bathroom, and the mucus plug popped out. The cramps became irregular contractions (only 10-20 seconds each) that lasted all night, which meant I barely slept.

Got up at 8am, and the contractions have slowed right down, and are probably more severe cramps now, with a big contraction every 20-30 mins or so.

What's happening? I know some women have week-long latent labours but I was really hoping I wouldn't be one of them. Anyone else have experience of this? Can I do anything to ramp things up?

SadSadSad

OP posts:
BabyBooDue · 21/04/2018 10:26

No advice as I'm pregnant with my first but I feel your pain OP!

I was uncomfortable all last night, started having period type cramps that were coming every 9 minutes, then they just tailed off and I went back to sleep 😤 had a couple more, along with some backache this morning but nothing more exciting than that.

I really hope this is the start for you 🤞🏻

Original poster
sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 11:53

Thank you, I hope so too! I've started timing them using a contractions timer app, and they're every 5-15 mins... fingers crossed they ramp up!

OP posts:
StrugglingMumma · 21/04/2018 12:27

Keep as active as possible today. I found cleaning my skirting boards on hand and knees brought things on.

Nipple stimulation too helped with contractions. Google it for technique. If you do it correct, you will feel contractions pretty much straight away.

Good luck!

BabyBooDue · 21/04/2018 15:18

Much progress OP?

Original poster
sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 16:28

Contracting all day... increasing in intensity but still a bit irregular. We're staying home until they get to 3 per 10 mins, per midwife's instructions...

Ow ow ow Shock

OP posts:
YorkieDorkie · 21/04/2018 16:38

Walk, walk and walk some more!

Original poster
sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 16:56

Is the walking supposed to ease the pain? Or speed things along?

OP posts:
NapQueen · 21/04/2018 16:57

Walking is good for babys position. Gets them nice and hunkered down.

Lou0390 · 21/04/2018 17:37

Try raspberry leaf tea and lots of walking. Someone mentioned crab walking? I'm 38 weeks today and totally fed up, had a false alarm the another night and now nothing. Hope this is the start for you Smile

BabyBooDue · 21/04/2018 18:19

Yep I've been told to walk, or bounce on a birthing ball Smile

validusername1 · 21/04/2018 18:30

Ohh OP I hope this is the start for you!
How you getting on?

Original poster
sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 18:57

I've been walking around, up and down the stairs, rocking back and forth on all fours. Contractions every 5 mins or so, but sometimes longer. Stronger than before though. Although I do have a feeling that I could sort of 'shake off' the contractions a little or reduce them by moving around.

It's hard to know whether to go into the birth centre now or wait it out at home, where I'll be more comfortable?

OP posts:
gingerbreadbiscuits · 21/04/2018 19:04

I would stay at home as long as possible as a change of environment may slow down labour.

Have you tried having a bath? Sometimes it speeds up labour.

ShackUp · 21/04/2018 19:07

Keep walking around - I did this with DS2 and he was out in a couple of pushes!

As this is your first, unless you have any concerns, I would wait a bit longer before heading in.

StrugglingMumma · 21/04/2018 20:30

Definitely try having a bath. It will help relax you and may speed up process

Original poster
sundayblanket · 21/04/2018 23:04

I was contracting severely every 3 mins so went in. Turns out, only 1cm dilated and sent home! Almost 24 hours in labour now Sad

OP posts:
BabyBooDue · 21/04/2018 23:27

Oh no Shock

Are you managing the pain at home ok? Hopefully it will speed up for you!

Original poster
sundayblanket · 22/04/2018 01:24

I'm really not! Pacing around as I speak as the contractions are too painful to sleep through, but feel more manageable if I'm moving. I hope yours goes more smoothly than mine is at the moment :(

OP posts:
DailyWailEatsSnails · 22/04/2018 01:27

Hang in there. I'd be on the Wine.

youngnomore · 22/04/2018 01:41

Can you manage a bath ?

Original poster
sundayblanket · 22/04/2018 01:45

I did earlier, it was quite soothing. But my husband is sleeping now - he didn't sleep much either last night due to my contractions! - and I dare not have a bath without him as it's so slippery! I'm just sitting rocking myself back and forth at the mo with TENS on 😢

OP posts:
DailyWailEatsSnails · 22/04/2018 01:58

geez, that sucks. You sound well beyond 'toe-curling'. MW told us to call for advice at 'toe curling'.

Original poster
sundayblanket · 22/04/2018 02:02

I know! After shaking in pain from regular contractions for hours, and almost 24 hours of some form of cramps/contractions, to be told I was only 1cm dilated felt like a massive slap.

The contractions have now died down a bit, maybe because I'm moving, maybe TENS is effective, or maybe just my body is resting. If I lie down to sleep though, they come back Envy

I kind of want to wake my husband up for some company... it's very sad and lonely up contracting on your own!

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 22/04/2018 02:06

Then wake him up! He won’t mind! Flowers

DailyWailEatsSnails · 22/04/2018 02:19

will U have a chance to nap later, if the ctx die down? Do you have little people (or pets etc.) that will stop you being able to sleep at all?

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