Is it labour or not?!

[Pregnantlabour432]

Hey ladies, I’m 37+4, booked for an induction on Friday. Had a stretch and sweep this morning, bishops score of 5? (If that means anything haha!!)

Had the usual blood show from it- but been having contractions steadily for the last couple of hours........

I’ve read online that a sweep can cause a few aches and pains after.... but would it cause contractions for a number of hours?!! Not sure if it’s labour or not... don’t want to act too prematurely if it’s not as need to drop DC off at a friends house if it is!

Any advice from any ladies who’ve had a sweep and been in a similar position?

How often are the contractions?

And how many babies have you had already? Were they vaginal deliveries?

Could have written this myself! In exact same position. Contractions come very spaced out though so thinking this could go on for the rest of the night and then just stop
Or could lead to full blown labour. In limbo land at the moment

Midwife here.

If your contractions become regular, every seven minutes or more often, your labour is probably established.

Always phone your own midwife for advice.

If you've had a baby before and the pains are regular, the likelihood is that your labour has really started.

Sweeps are good at starting labour if you were just about to go into labour anyway.

@Pregnantlabour432

Why did you have a sweep so early, as a matter of interest?

@tobeornottobe1

Is this your first baby?

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum thanks, no this is baby number 3, they have also told
Me baby is back to back, any pointers to help turn other than crawling on all 4s X

@tobeornottobe1

There isn't anything you can do to get the baby round the right way unfortunately. Sorry!

Were your other babies back-to-back? All four of mine were the little hooligans

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum no just this one seems to be back to back, I'm hoping it turns in time as I've read back to back is really painful and could be more dangerous?

It isn't more dangerous, I promise you.

It can take longer though.

But as you've had two babies already it isn't likely to be a problem so don't be scared. I'm not just saying that to try to calm you down. Labour sometimes takes quite a while to get going when the baby is back-to-back but once it does, it should be completely normal.

The baby has a bit of turning to do. Most women with back labours manage perfectly well (and I'm speaking with 30 + years experience) so don't get into a lather about this.

Once your pains are every seven minutes (or more frequent) and are established for a couple of hours, or if you want advice about a stop-start labour, ring your midwife.

Women are often surprised by how long this kind of labour takes to get going, but when it does, you'll know what to do.

And don't believe any tales you've heard or read about this.

The probability is that it will be absolutely normal.

Goodnight and good luck!!! xxx

With my 2nd DS I had a stretch and sweep at 39 weeks and my contractions started few and far between shortly afterwards. I gave birth later that night after convincing myself it wasnt really labour I got to the hospital at 7cm. So from sweep to delivery was around 10 hours.

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum thank you and goodnight X

@tobeornottobe1

How are you today?

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum pretty much the same. Less crampy and contractions practically stopped. So guessing the sweep probably didn't work. Wonder how the OP is doing

I was wondering about the OP too.

I am guessing that she really was in labour and has had her baby.

It doesn't look like your sweep has worked which is frustrating for you. Hope you get into established labour soon.

I used to hate the very end of my pregnancies when you can barely move and all you want is for the labour to start.

Duh.

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum thanks, I've had more irregular contractions since last post and very crampy. TMI - brown d/c I'm guessing is left over from sweep yday. Ah could carry on like this for weeks I guess I should mentally prepare and accept I could be in this for the long haul

Slow start - Quick finish.

Don't be downhearted. When it gets going it'll be fast.

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum so had bloody show and lost a lot of plug, still could be days though right

Yes - it could still be days I'm afraid.

When I had a show with my second baby it was ten days before he appeared.

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum - started to get indigestion pains and lots of pressure, fingers crossed it's the start of something.

How are you getting on tobeoenottobe1

Has labour started yet?

@Jemima232 nope nothing happening this end, babies quietened down though

So after My last post, my waters broke an
Hour later and my baby girl arrived in the early hours this morning I'm so in love

Congratulations!

That's lovely news tobeornottobe1

Well done.

Thank u xx