Anybody about? I think this is it but don't quote me...

[bananabump]

Hiya, finally think this might be real labour (contractions started 4am monday but were irregular and crap until last night)

Had a bit of a bloody show at midnight and have been awake but trying to sleep ever since. Contractions are kinda regular, averaging at about 6 or 7 mins, lasting about 45 seconds to a minute. The pain isn't horrendous yet I'm breathing through it.

When do you think I should call the hospital to give them a heads up?

you both have my sympathy - this bit is ghastly - without wanting to depress you, you can get these kinds of contractions for days and days before 'real' labour kicks off. I only say that because despite my antenatal classes and avid book reading, I really hadn't twigged that that might happen with my first pregnancy. And I got so annoyed with the midwives telling me I wasn't in labour, when I was having contractions every 5 minutes and throwing up. Oh joy!

It might seem like forever at the moment, but just try to save your energy - if you can't sleep, try watching something nice and distracting on TV, or whatever you can do to take your mind off it.

Looking forward to those birth announcments!

I agree contraction timing is a waste of time. I was adviced go to hospital when you have to concentrate to get through each contraction.

Believe me I know I've been doing this for 2 weeks now!! - sorry bananabump - hope it's quicker for you.
Never had this trouble with previous 2!

Thing is, when it is your first at least timing the contractions makes you feel like you're doing something. 1 minute sounds far too long though. with dd2 i went in whne they were 4 mins apart and lasting about 40 seconds, and i couldn't talk or do anything but moan through the contractions.

TrinaJ - feel free to shout abuse in my direction at the mention of Braxton Hicks, but supposedly they get more powerful and (so more painful) with each pregnancy? So that might be why things are so bad for you this time. Your body is just getting in some extra good practice for the big event!

Yes me too - contractions were still at times 10 or 15 mins apart when I was pushing!
So don't necessarily need to be 2 mins apart or whatever they tell you

I know you're right pidge - it's just SO frustrating - when I've had 3 nights in the last 2 weeks where it's got to 2 - or 3 mins apart, very strong then dropped off!!!!! aaaaargh

The hospital told me that as i was able to talk they werent that bad. Had to wait until I was consumed and couldnt talk or do anything else.

Sleep is defo good advice as are baths, showers etc.

My biggest piece of advice is stay at home as long as possible as it will seem so much longer in hospital.

TrinaJ - I would be tearing my hair out! When's your due date? I'm getting myself seriously broody about having number 3, which we're planning sometime next year hopefully, feel free to put me off with tales of a fortnight long agonsiing pre-labour!

Due 21st. By their dates, tomorrow by mine!!!
Both previous dc were about a week early.
Hasn't been agonising - just frustrating!
Have read about half Harry Potter though!!
Have had a new one to read through ech pg - somehow!!?

Baby better get a move on or you'll run out of Harry Potter!

Exactly!
I have even got me a brain games thing on my phone that's keeping my brain active - as much as it can!!
But I find myself on here most of the time at the mo.
Can't watch telly with kids around, as the lazy dc's will sit and watch whatever there is!!!!!

Trinaj - apparently the niggling pre labour is quite common with 3rd babies, I had it with mine was sooo frustrating. But just 3 months on I'm reading this and feeling all emotional and sad at the thought I'll never do it again.

Good luck to you both

Ahh.. this is where Bananabump has been hiding..... and you Trinaj...

I'll join you on the pissed off at false starts nonsense... i get to the counting the minutes between them thing, and curling toes, and hot flushes - and then I fall asleep and it all stops. GRrrrrrr

Having a sweep today (40+2) so with any luck that'll get things going.

Trina - silly question, but why are your dates so different? A couple of days I would understand - but 2 weeks?

Not really sure about dates?
9th was my LMP date.
21st was scan date at 8 weeks. 20 wk scan said slightly earlier but did not change date.
But I've been measuring nearer to LMP dates almost from begining.
I expect it'll be nearer LMP dates - feels more right.

Hi, back from a really decent nap, feel miles better. No signs of contractions restarting yet but as I just said on the antenatal thread I'm going to have a potter about and see if they get going, and if not going to try another BJ as that's what kicked it off last night properly. (My dp has been very "selfless" in "helping me out" lol)

I was hoping it was real because I'd had a show with blood in it which I thought meant that the cervix was dilating and small capillaries breaking in it were causing the blood. Hope I'm not stuck at this stage for days, that would be crap. Didn't know you were going through the same thing bagpuss!!

bananabump - I think the show can precede labour by quite some time - in my case it was 5 days before the birth the first time round, and a couple of days the second time.

All fingers crossed for some baby action soon for all of you. You can tell how broody I'm getting hanging out here on the labour threads!!!

Thanks pidge!

They're creeping back slowly, starting off very mild but seem to be every 5 or 6 minutes again so hopefully should be back to gutchurning swear-causing strength soon!

I don' think mine are as frequent or strong as yours, but bloody irritating, and always make me puase and breath rather than just ignoring them.

I haven't had a show either - but then i didn't with DS. I'm dreading the m/w visit - I can jsut imagine her saying either "nothing doing" or "your're 6 cm dilated" - and then my waters breaking in the surgery, or my friends car! Best find some big knickers, and a maternity pad just in case!

Oh is it your sweep today? Oh good luck, hope she has some positive news for you, my dear!

Ooh that last one hurt

Good Luck bananabump - off soon, will see how things are on my return.

Keep chilling and walking round lots, jump up and down the stairs if you can!!

Glad to see you're still hanging in there bananabump and growing bagpuss.
I never had a show with eith my previous dc.
Still having them on and off - as you say they take my breath away and make me stop to breathe through them!!

Let me know how you get on, bagpuss.

Trina I keep getting more of the show coming away (fascinating but gross!) everytime I go to the loo. Just got back from a walk but to be honest I seem to get more steady regular painful contractions when sitting on my bum doing nothing rather than walking about at the moment which is odd.

I'll be interested to see how far along I am when I do finally go in! It's quite puzzling! hope you're doing ok and taking time to relax.

Had a rest this afternoon - and have no dc overnight so planning nice dinner and walk along seafront.
Then maybe a bit of something else - if he's good

Had a lovely walk was really relaxing.
How's everyone doing? - I'm still about the same - not developed into anything - not stopped completely.