This is my fourth dc so it should be second nature but my littlest is 7 and it’s all been wiped from my memory! I’m 2 days overdue which is nothing in the scheme of the others who ranged from 8-16 (yes, really) days over. Numbers 1&3 we’re induced, so my only spontaneous labour was number 2, and there was no mistaking I was in labour, my waters went, straight into huge, 2 minute apart contractions and he was born less than 4 hours later.
All have been back to back which I think is a factor in them being so late. Up til about a week ago this one was behaving but she’s now firmly back to back too and no amount of going into all fours or leaning off the front of the sofa is getting her to budge. I have a misaligned pelvis which was diagnosed before this pregnancy as I’d been having back problems which I think explains why my babies seem to lie this way. My first didn’t turn in labour and was a very hard birth, she came out facing up. The others turned in labour after staying upright and active so I’m hopeful this one will do the same.
But recognising that things are really happening is much harder than I thought it would be! This pregnancy has been incredibly tough and I’ve had awful pgp since about 22 weeks. It’s eased up in the last few weeks, so I can actually walk about much more easily but getting up and out of bed or a chair is still incredibly painful, as is turning over in bed. I’ve woken up today feeling that my pelvis is incredibly loose which it’s not been like for a while. I’m reluctant to put on my big support bandage this far along as I really don’t like how restrictive it is (I know that’s the whole point!)
I’ve been having tightenings and period type pain for about 3 days now and I feel so tired as I really can’t get comfortable in bed and am getting about 2 hours sleep a night. I’ve also been feeling queasy for the last few days. Dc3 was born in less than an hour once labour got going and I’m terrified I’ll not make it to the hospital once things get going as it’s a good 45 minutes away this time.
Is the cramping and tightening I’m having likely to actually lead to anything productive or is this just nature’s cruel way of making me turn slowly mad while I try and spot every symptom? I’ve carried low throughout so there’s no room for her to drop any further, and I’ve stayed active up til now but the way my pelvis feels today I’ll not be walking anywhere. I know I should just be patient and know that she’ll come out eventually but I’m at that stage where I’ve just had enough. Seeing my midwife on Thursday and I’m assuming she’ll offer me a sweep but I really can’t warm to her and I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable with her doing it.