Reassurance through start stop contractions

[Piper100]

Hi, I’m currently in labour with my 3rd and been having contractions since 4th Feb. They ramped up through the night, but were still irregular. I then had several 5 mins apart and lasting over a minute. But it’s been start and stop like this all day. The pain in my pelvis and back is excruciating and I can’t stand for long periods, but that seems to be the only way contractions start. Bouncing in ball, big circles on ball are not doing anything, but it’s the most comfortable.

Any suggestions how I can keep off my feet but still make the contractions come!?

On top of this I had planned a homebirth but the snow has come on thick and fast and one minute the HB is on and the next it’s off and it’s causing me so much stress - I’ve always laboured at home due to previous home births and I just can’t imagine labouring in the car for 30 minutes and there’s the fear of giving birth in the car in the snow!

My first born was a planned home birth, but after pushing I had to be transferred to hospital as she got stuck. She was 8lb 12oz, and this baby is apparently measuring big - 95% centile so that has me worried that he can’t descend into my pelvis which is why I’m in pain and contractions stopping and starting!

The contractions are getting very intense and almost unbearable when they do come now.

I suffer from anxiety and it’s all getting to me just now, just wonder if anyone has some kind words and reassurance at the moment?

My second child’s labour was so straightforward, contractions started and lasted 14 hours and I just breathed through them, was hoping this would be the same!!

I know this isn't what you want to hear but this sounds like a reason to go into hospital and get checked over. Im so sorry. Having the birth we want isnt always the birth we end up needing xxx

3rd babies often "mess around" like this. Unfortunately all you can really do is try and encourage things to happen, the contractions need to be regular. I'm 39 weeks preg with my 5th and I've had similar the last few weeks, but as the contractions arnt regular not a lot will happen! How far along are you?

Thanks for your replies. I’m 41 weeks.

In terms of reassurance - all this is totally normal but a complete pain (excuse the pun) when it's so stop and start. Stress and anxiety can also stop contractions apparently so try to stay as calm as you possibly can - watch a movie, listen to music/pod cast, go for a walk if you can manage it. I found getting in a warm bath helped with the pain a lot as it took some of the pressure away, and I took some paracetamol (didn't do an awful lot but it made me feel like I had some control over the pain). Tey not to think about the home birthing and try to go with the flow, you could even make the decision to have the baby in hospital to stop the will there/won't there stress of the home birth. Sorry if this doesn't help much, but it will end eventually, good luck!

Thank You!

Any chance your midwife will give you a sweep?

If you're still not getting anywhere, have you tried walchers position (described on spinning babies)?

Thanks everyone, labour picked up in the evening and baby boy born at home. 8lb 5oz and back to back! Which was prob why labour was so slow!!

Congratulations hero!

Wow! Congratulations, what a trooper!

Congratulations!

Congratulations! So frustrating when it stops and starts like that! Well done!