Quick question re contractions/timings - please help!

[trendaverter]

I am 41+6 and have been contracting steadily now every 6 minutes (on average) since 2pm yesterday.

Is this normal?! Are these 'real' or am I just getting some persistent bhs? I was able to sleep through much of it during the night, I am beginning to wonder if I am imagining the pain!

I missed scones.
Sorry, I had to dash, ds's first ever school play, I nearly cried!!

Trendaverter, you sound like you are doing fab, keep us posted when you can.

Any scones left? Chili con carne on the go here, fancy some anyone, the chili may help trendaveter.

Hello Folks
I went to the hospital last night (a night early) to talk to consultant re induction.

He was quite understanding, explained the risks but respected my decision to delay it. The midwives however not quite as nice but oh well. It has been postponed until friday but I am now having second thoughts and am reconsidering having inducement tonight.

I really need your help.

I am feeling so desperately emotionally and physically drained here. All the contractions have stopped. I am 42 weeks today. What is wrong with me? Is the baby too big? Why isn't it coming?
Every morning I wake up is a kick in the teeth.
I don't want to do anything to put me or baby at risk, I don't want to be induced, but I honestly feel like I can't go on much longer holding out like this.

I feel abnormal and a failure to be honest, I am mentally and physically exhausted. My poor DH is also suffering with worry about me.

Is this normal? Please someone help

oh honey

big big hugs

it is ok

give yourself permission to change your mind if you want to...there is no failure in being induced today...as long as any decision you make is one you are comfortable with

did you have an internal..any idea if your cervix is ripe?

also, depends how far past 42 weeks you are happy to go...42 + 5 , 42 + 6, 43 + 2 etc...

did you try a visualisation?

caulophyllum is good, not sure re dosage etc...

have you tried letting go of any fears, no matter how small..that might be holding you back...

Hi Lulu, glad you are here.

I didn't have an internal last night but on wednesday I was 75% effaced and 1cm dilated.
I had a sweep and have lost my plug since.

My induction has been rebooked for friday... later than I wanted but they said they were too full to accomodate anything sooner.
I still have my slot this evening though and I am feeling so torn.

I do understand what you mean about fears - I understand there could be a stress/psychological issue at hand here - and I daresay the thought of being a mother is enough to have me shit bricks! But surely that is normal?

I hate the thought of intervention, synthetic hormones etc, and I desperately wanted a natural birth. I am just feeling like giving up and going in tonight though, I feel like all I have done is delay the inevitable.

According to ctgs there is nothing wrong, but maybe there is? Maybe I am being a fool?
DH is so supportive but he is suffering too.

of course it is normal....but you need to address your fear, and tell yourself, it is ok, you will be fine, you will be a glorious mother and this is the first step on a wonderful journey

no-one can make this decision for you

why not give yourself until midday, and reasses how you feel....potter around, take a bath, go and look at the things you have for the baby , and ask yourself which route you want to take

need to go and get sorted, but will check back in a bit x

Thanks lulu.
I may not be around for a while either, I am going to clean the house etc in an effort to keep myself distracted!

Have a good morning, will chat later

Oh trandaverter, I hope your cleaning gets things going for you.

I know you really don't want any intervention but I must tell you my story. Just to reassure you that if it does have to be like that it is not always bad. I was induced at 41+4 with dd. It was an amazing experience, I really enjoyed it. It was quick and I had NO complications. dd arrived 2.5 hrs after the start of the synotican [sp] drip with NO further intervention. Sometimes things just need starting, it doesn't mean that things will be tough all the way through.
I had dd2 4 weeks ago and was fully expecting to be induced again and very happy about the decision if it came to it. My experience with my first induction was so good that I had no fears or worries about taking that route again. She showed me wrong and arrived at 39+5, but I spent all evening and all the next day in denial that I was in Labour as I was not expecting it to happen.

You have to go with what you feel comfortable with, as lulu says NO one can make that decision for you. Do not beat yourself up about it though, there is nothing wrong with letting go and having a helping hand if thats what you both decide.

Big hugs to you and good luck with what you decide. xxx

TA it is very normal to have doubts and wobbles. We are all terrified of something bad happening and the not knowing when it's going to all start is a killer! I went to 42+1 weeks, I understand!

But with the research I had done about induction and the fact that it's a bad idea for a VBAC I was able to hold strong. I agreed to Expectant Management to keep an eye on baby, had a sweep, went home, relaxed and went into labour. So like Lulu suggested try to let go of fear, it's not good for labour.

I wobbled at 41 weeks and nearly agreed to induction, but stepped back from the abyss and I'm so glad! The only thing I did have were sweeps, and long walks, heaving my belly around the local fields!

You know what your head says about what you want, you know what your heart says. Listen to them and ignore the voice of doubt. Take Expectant Management to reassure you and your baby will be here VERY soon.

I'm talking here as a friend rather than a Doula. A Doula won't give advice but supports you to make your own informed decision.

I've watched a few women go through the long labour thing and it is very hard, I sympathise! Have you seen slow to start labour ? Are you well hydrated?

Don't work too hard today, catch up on sleep, get your energy levels replenished, keep coming here for support, I'll be around all day. Do you know about the Bishop's Score ? Less than 9 is not condusive to labour so if you go in this eve ask for Bishop's Score and if low at the time, ask to reschedule.

I know quite a few women who have gone to 42+3, or 4 or 5 and there are many who would naturally go to 44 weeks. 40wks is the mean so there HAS to be women who go to more than 42weeks as well as those who give birth at 37wks to get that average. And I wish that induction was not routinely done just because women gestate longer. There needs to be another valid medical reason to induce. If baby is happy and you are well, I would accept Friday's slot. If Expectant Management shows anythign to be concerned about you can make a decision based on the findings at the time, also trust your gut instinct, if you 'feel' there is something to be concerned about insist on being seen, don't take no for an answer. Otherwise, enjoy the twilight of your pg, relax and baby will be here soon!

Whatever decision you make, we will support you [hug] (sorry for the ramble, it's what I do best!)

Good post MrsJ, I was so busy writing all my anti-induction thoughts that you got in there with the other side of it. Let's hope that TA can make a good informed choice that is right for her. It is possible, I suppose, that things are so nearly there for her that a litle help might just do the trick. It's such a hard decision, I know and recall very well!

Hi - I was induced by the pessary with my 1st & 4th babies and both went quick & easy. The 2nd was natural and the 3rd was after a sweep. All deliveries are different. The only problems I had were with my 1st but that was because I had an epidural and couldn't feel to push but he was ok in the end. For me it was better with just gas as pain relief even though my 4th was 10 1/2 lb and im only 5ft! You can't control whats gonna happen whether you are induced or go naturally. Just think - this time tommorow you could have baby in your arms and be worrying about something else! Hope this helps you and I will keep watching to see how you get on - good luck xx

Thanks again Ladies for your continued support, I honestly don't know what I would have done without the help of the women on here!

I was at my lowest ebb this morning, feeling very insecure and afraid but also angry, like what the hell is wrong with me? I felt like a failure, I was very tearful.

But I have dragged my heaving belly around a field, cheered myself up with a nice healthy KFC and am feeling a bit better now. The mornings are truly the hardest, esp when you come on line and see others talking about how they gave birth in the night!

I think there is a lot of truth in the anxiety comments, I have a feeling that something is stressing me terribly only I have no idea what, so I am trying to be relaxed and happy. DH is being supportive 100%.

I have decided not to be induced tonight and to wait - it will be tough but I think it's what is right for me.

MumOf4 and MrsJaffa - thank you also for your positive stories. I am not keen to be induced at all but I do find it very reassuring that if it does come to that, that there is every possibility that it will be a speedy and relaxed procedure and not some cascade of intervention! It does help me to know.

I am feeling good at the moment - I have to go in for monitoring etc tonight and with any luck LO will make an appearance soon

let us know how you get on

glad you are feeling more positive

Isn't this the BEST thing about the internet? We can pop on at ANY time to 'speak' to someone and voice our concerns, instead of just letting them fester, round and round in our heads!

Carry on doing what YOU think is best for you and we will support you all the way!

You are not a failure, just a beautiful, strong individual who will birth her baby in her own time, making her own informed decisions along the way.

Stay strong

Yes TA, you have made a hard decision but it must be a comfortable one for you. Well done. Your baby WILL be here very soon and we'll all be cooing over the gorgeous pics.

Oh oh more scones, yumm [claps hands, like excited seal emotion] Clotted cream, yummmm! What am I tinking, I had a baby 4 weeks ago. Thank you but no thank you klaw, I had a wiastline once. Apple anyone?

Well done with making a descision. Are you still getting the contractions - I call it brewing but my mum calls it niggling! Make the most of the next few days of being fat for a good reason. This time next year u will be stressing over what party or cake to do!

still feeling positive ?

am getting ready to hop back in the rocking chair to wait for birthing news...

but not tomorrow night please, am doulaing in RL....Tuesday better for me

Well I had my monitoring, they put me on for 1.5 hours, UGH because LO wanted to play the whole time and they needed to see a sleep pattern too. Note to self - eat something beforehand tomorrow, LO tends to be quieter when I am not hungry.

Anyway, everything was fine, inducement for tonight duly cancelled and I am well on my way for Friday.

Actually I feel really happy and positive this evening, even about the prospect of being induced friday, I feel at ease with the whole situation now and quite content. I think I really wasn't ready for intervention tonight though.

Contractions all stopped, nothing happening, but I am a much more cheerful and happy mum to be now xxx

(I have posted some of this message in my Ante Natal thread as well, seemed silly to type the same thing out twice)

great news !!

excellent you are comfortable with your decision

good that the hospital are respecting your choice

xx

Thats great news! I sense that you may go on your own before Fri though. You do get a sense of calm and contentment in the last few days that makes you feel almost serene! All that is happening is normal and is what makes women beautiful. Make the most of the time with your man - have a romantic meal just for 2 - but don't let him drink in case he has to drive! Have a peaceful night?! xx

Thinking of you and sending gentle, effective labour vibes, you're a star!

Well done TA, So glad you are feeling happy with your decision. I have a feeling you won't make it to Friday. Will be thinking of you. Keep us posted on your prgress.