Where is this baby!!!!

[MrsXx4]

I’m just venting!!

I am just over 38 weeks so I know I’m being impatient BUT my DS was born at exactly 38 weeks, he was my first pregnancy and labour was spontaneous. I had honestly convinced myself that this baby would be the same if not slightly earlier as I’ve stupidly listened to everyone who has told me that because my first was early my second would be too.

This pregnancy has not been easy, I’ve had to have many scans and I’ve had a stay in hospital because I had maternal pneumonia. My baby is fine, there’s no concerns, it’s my body that’s under the strain and I am really feeling it now!

Anyway, I have had what feels like contractions every single evening since Monday! They feel continuous but not really painful, just my belly going rock hard and then releasing after about a minute. It then goes off and doesn’t return until the next evening. Last night I was so excited because they started earlier and went on for quite a while until I had a shower and it all just stopped. Some I did actually have to concentrate to breath through!

What is going on?!! This feels like total torment! I’m getting my hopes up every night and then nothing comes of it!

Anyone ever had this? Is it just braxton hicks? Or is it a very slow and gradual labour and the baby / my body is preparing for the real deal?

Hi my lovely Im so sorry it's taking you a while and you've had a hard pregnancy! Im 37weeks and totally with you! Im ready for my baby now!!!

I had these types of contractions and some were a little painful where I needed to focus on breathing! I called delivery and they said to go in to get monitored.

The ctg showed contractions, so a dr came in to check cervix and it was closed! I was told I was dehydrated and needed to keep drinking loads as it would help.

I did just that but two days later the tightenings and slight pain started again. Went back for monitored again again contractions happened but again closed cervix, so they have identified them as painful Braxton hicks!

Probably when you shower you move position to it subsides. They say if they keep going no matter what position you put yourself in then they're the real deal!

I'm so ready for baby boy now so I totally get your frustration! If in doubt though call delivery and get monitored and get dr to check cervix (if they notice contractions on monitor)

All the best my lovely. Not long now 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Ps. I'm sure your body is totally preparing itself though even though it may not feel this way! Stronger BH may be a good sign of that🙏

I had my first at 38+4 spontaneous labour so was convinced my second would be similar. When I got to 39 weeks I couldn’t believe it and was so frustrated! The midwife started talking about sweeps and inductions which I didn’t want! I then went into spontaneous labour at 39+2 and she was born later the same day. Good luck OP!

I know its frustrating but...at 38 weeks I would try not to get too down. Try being 42 weeks pregnant!
Also just enjoy the last few days of just you and dc1.

Thank you @lukiebebe. I am just being impatient I know! I think it’s the nightly ‘contractions’ they don’t help with the constant false hope. I’ll see how they go, I have a midwife appointment this week so I’ll see what she says about what I am experiencing and what she suggests. What I am having is so manageable at home that I’d feel a bit silly to go to hospital to be monitored. My baby is so active as well so I’ve no real concerns, it’s just the waiting game now!

@CallMeRisley oh ok! Well this gives me hope! I hope the baby is here by next weekend lol! Why did they discuss inductions and things with you? Is this an option once over 38 weeks? I’m not sure I want to be induced even though I’m desperate for baby to be here. It sounds silly but I am quite scared of most of the birth options and pain relief options available.

Oh I know @Basil2021 you are right! And I am definitely getting all the quality time in with my little boy at the moment, I think that’s part of wanting the baby here though, the apprehension that he is going to adjust to a new baby ok and that he will be happy. I just want to get on with it now so I can stop thinking about it all!

Speaking as somebody who was induced (at 42 weeks) I really really wouldn't go down that route unless it is medically advised. Look, your baby will almost certainly turn up in the next couple of weeks.

I went into spontaneous labour with DS1 at 36+4 so like you I thought similar would happen second time around. I started having on and off contractions (and they were definitely contractions not BH) at 38 weeks. This went on for 8 days and then 39+1 they started ramping up, I went into full blown labour and had DS2 a few hours later.

38+4 over here and I’m struggling now. My DS was born at 38+3 so this little lady is now late in my eyes 😂 I hate the waiting game and really hoping that she makes an appearance sooner rather than later. Had period pains for the last few days and keep thinking “is this it?” but sadly not.