I think I'm having contractions? Am I having this baby tonight???

[Dontknowmyarsefrommyelbow]

I am 41+1
Had 2 sweeps
Last sweep = Monday 25th = 3cm dilated and ready to go.
Have been having what I'm guessing are contractions since 20 past midnight - but how do I know if it's the real thing?
Help

I posted on your antenatal thread honey!

A little cut and paste to remind you honey.....

Now...turn off the timer. What you want are your contractions to be lasting 45 secs or more consistently. Then you want the gap between the contractions to come down to 3-5 mins. Don't watch the timer. Try to rest. Sleep if you can. You won't sleep through labour.

If the pain keeps you awake, when you don't like it get into the bath. See if that helps.

Walk a little. Make figures of 8 with your pelvis. Go to the loo at least every 2 hours and make sure to eat and drink!

Will check in on you again in the morning. But in the meantime...........

TURN OFF THE BLARDY TIMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok - got it - I'll calm down and see if I can go back to bed!!
Thanks

Don't worry honey. The key is to stay relaxed. Try to remember what you would normally do to relax yourself when you are stressed. Those same techniques will work through labour.

So, relax, sleep, eat, drink and wee! Those are the keys for tonight.

Will check in on you in the early am!

Can't sleep - mainly cos I feel a bit sick.
Going to try a bath.

Hi DKMA, sounds promising! Good luck with everything! Wish I could stay up and be with you but I really need to catch some zzzzz's while DD finally sleeps!

You are going to be brill, just stay calm, remember to breathe. Hopefully by the end of the day you will be cuddling a little bundle.

Thinking pain free thoughts for you xxxx

good luck dkma. try to relax and think of that little bundle that you could be holding in just a few hours!

i'm sending happy thoughts!!!

Had a bath - which was lovely
Had a sleep - which was also lovely
But contractions seemed to have stopped

Does this mean it's a false alarm - or could they come back? (not had any since 4 am?)

I am by no means an expert but you could try getting up and moving around

Once they start I keep moving then things seem to happen faster for me

have the pains completly gone!!

Sniff - I think I will try that.
I am still getting some mild discomfort every 15 mins or so - but nothing as strong as before?

oh if you are getting recurrent rumblings keep moving I always start like that

best of luck we need to wake lulumama shes good at this

er sorry if rude question but have you been to the loo any signs of poo!!!! I know some people have diarrehea and this is there sign of knowing !!

I've had three kids and I am shit at this advice giving

morning !!

sounds like things are starting

the really important thing is to remember every single contraction does something, even if it does not bring the baby that minute !!

they are getting the cervix nicely soft and ripe, you are already dilating, the baby is getting wiggled into a good position ..so it all helps

don't be

i bet it won;t be too long before baby comes.

next time you have a bath, try a good strong visualisation of the birth you want. of your cervix opening, baby moving down. and being welcomed into your arms

hang on in there !

as Mars said, relaaaaax...labour will let you know when you need to concentrate xxx

Yep there has been some pooh action - but not of the sloppy kind?

dkmafme
Don't feel disappointed, a similar thing happened to my with my second baby, it all started kicking off at midnight and then stopped and i felt really hacked off. However by 11am/early afternoon it all started again and i was being driven to the hospital by teatime - it all sounds likes its happening and a slow steady pace is good! keep on your feet if you want to get it going, even if your just pottering round the house.

Morning Lulumama

I always thought I'd be really relaxed when things started happening - but its's strange - I starting feeling a mixture of extreme excitement and sheer panic!?

Something is defo still hapening - but just not a strong as before.

that feeling is normal ! honestly.....it;s normal!

just welcome the feelings you are having, don;t fight or over analyse them...

make sure you have some brekky, raspberry leaf tea with a spoon of honey in it and some complex carbs for energy, just in case this Is It!

got to go and get DCs ready for school,so will check in later

sending lots of good strong birthy vibes your way xxxxxx

its natural to start worrying, you spend 9 months being excited and when the pains start, you start to panic that you are now on a path you can't control and can't stop!

take your time today, accept that by teatime you will prob be at the hospital in labour and you will have a lovely baby at the end of it all - life will change forever! You have this final day to be yourself, chill and prepare mentally for it - read a book, have (another) bath, eat something nice for breakfast - trust me enjoy this bit because tomorrow you will be living a different life!

your going to be fine it very exciting I am going to keave you in Lulus very capable hands

Let us know how you get on

P.S it doesnt need to be runny!! mine never was TMI

Thank you everyone for your support

My plan now is to have a shower, wash hair, do make up, re - pack hospital bag (did it so long ago I can't remember what's in it!) and then pos take the dog for a walk.

It's so hard not to just sit here looking at my bump - just willing it to do something! But no - I must keep busy.

DH has decided to work from home today - but it means he's missing an important meeting - so something better happen!???

Goodluck . DKMA..

Sending you lots of positive labour vibes.. you will be holding your lo soon..

I had DH repacking my hospital back when i went into labour too And just as everyone predicted I didn't use any of the birthing crap I packed! There wasn't time. Though I did sniff a tissue with lavender on it between contractions, which was nice.

If you have gas and air make sure you get plenty of it!

I hope it all goes well for you DKMA, you are going to have a baby soon!

It's the adrenaline honey. Now... sort that hospital bag, eat a good breakfast. Don't go for any long walks. You'll only make yourself tired and you'll need your energy. Walking around is for when the contractions start. The fact that they went off simply means it's not quite time, but as Lulu said, things will be happening.

Will check back after school run!

Sending you lots of love and BIG labour vibes DKMA!

Good luck, I really hope this is it for you (you're holding up the blardy queue !!)

Fingers crossed. You are going to be fab xxxxx

oooh...it;s gone quiet...!

Still here!

I was so knackered after just 2 hours sleep I thought I'd grab some more kip while I could.

Still feeling something - but still not very strong?
Feel a bit sick?

Will report back in a bit - this could be a long one!?