How painful should BH be? Are these actually contractions?

[Gemy]

Hello mnetters, I am feeling a bit stressed.
Am due 27th Dec and since about 0400 this morning, I have what my midwife believes is a "watery show" and have been experiencing (what feels like) contractions off and onn through the day. Currently, they have been
1918
1938
1945
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2003
2013 and
2022. They last about 20 seconds.

I have just had one and can sit at the laptop ok, but I really am unsure if these are just BH or whether my body is getting ready for the real thing.

My parents are at my house now, shall I ask them to stay just incase (to look after DD1)?

I've heard that being dehydrated can make BH seem worse - has anyone else heard this? I have not drunk all that much today and am sat here with a massive glass or squash in the hope this helps!

If you were me, how often would your contractions have to be and how long would they have to last before you considered going into hospital?

F&CK!!

Gemy, how are you doing this morning?

Nothing developed for me overnight except a sore fanjo! I decided that seeing as labour may be imminent it was about time I sorted out my bikini line. Whacked the immac on and then OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW because I cant see because of the bump I was just slapping it where I could feel but it ended up going IN!!!!!!!!!!

Cue going to bed covered in nappy rash cream!!

pecka

Did you not do it using a mirror?

oh and the itch you mad woman!

No, didnt think to use a mirror, absolute idiot. I was like "hmmmmm this is smarting a bit, oohhh ouchhh, ooooooohhh OUCHHHHHHH, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUUUUUUU*KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK"

I really hope I DON'T go into labour for a few days now, give it a chance to settle.

LOL! You never know, it might help to toughen it up a bit beforehand.

Any news this morning Gemy??

Well, I am still in the same position as yesterday. Contracting every 10 mins for about 40 seconds. Though this morning I have had the full show (jellyish stuff) but still no broken waters.

So, I have been taking your advice and getting as much rest as possible, taking paracetomol and hip-rocking (that works surprisingly well!)

Phoned the hospital this morning and they said for me to stay at home til I am having contractions every 3 mins, that last 1 minute - that sounds like too brave a job for me and I'm not sure I'll last that long without dreaming of an epidural.

Am trying to eat loads and stuff, this baby seems determined to hold on til bloody christmas day! Send me all your positive pain-free birth thoughts ladies!

xxx

you are in labour, i think... regular contractions that don;t stop is labour.. waters can often hold out until labour is well underway or even until the second stage starts... some babies are born with intact membranes, so don;t use waters not breaking as a reason to think this is not going well..

show is also good, means you are dilating

keep going with what you are doing, remember to wee and poo regularly as keeping your insides empty helps baby descend

i am looking forward to a mumsnet xmas baby!

pecka

My client's baby born this morning. So... free to pop up Pecka!

Thinking of you all.

gemy - hope all is going well for you. Sounds like we are in similar positions!

PMSL pecka with thje immac - that stuff really hurts! I used dps beard trimmer and a razor today. So hoping baby holds off till late tomorrow at least... although getting rather painful here.

Hi awayinamanger, things still the same for me but the contractions getting a little harder to deal with. May have a bath again soon. And just to think last week I was joking away about having a christmas day baby

Saw the midwife today and she said baby well down and is not in distress.

Keep us informed awayinamanger and I'll do the same.

xxx

oooh, who will go first, awen or gemy ! or will pecka surprise us all with her immaced fanjo!

happy labouring all, am off out for dinner , mwah !!

how are things now, gemy? x

Hi Gemyt - how are you doing now? Am in lots of pain here atm. Trying so hard to ignore as really dont want him tonight and would love him to hang on for another 24 hours. Ds1 all in bed excited about santa.

hope all is going well gemy!!!

Hi guys I am back after giving birth to a little baby girl at 01:10 this morning (so yes, christmas day baby!)

Had an excellent birth - stayed at home and then when arrived at hospital I was 6cm dilated! Anyway, with just the TENs machine I managed to get to 8 cm when the midwife did a membrane sweep. Then all hell let loose and I had continuous contractions and felt the need to push about 30 mins later.

Baby born 10 mins later! (and still no pain relief except Tens!)

Isabel was born weighing a teeny tiny 6lb 2.
She was the second baby born today in Scotland so the papers are contacting me to arrange for a photo to be taken for the local Stirling papers. Needless to say, my hair looks a right mess so who knows what the photo will look like!

Away any news from you? Pecka??!!

congratulations! welcome to Isabel, glad to hear of her safe arrival.. what a wonderful Xmas present xxx

Oh, congrats

congratulations, welcome to the world Isabel.

My niece is 2 today (a 2005 Christmas baby - how time flies).

Managed to get through the night. Woke throughout night and ds came in with his santra pressies at 6am. Am getting strong pains every 4 minutes now. Managed to cook xmas dinner tho. They are really stopping me in my tracks now. Not sure am going to make it to tomorrow without going in. Glad made it till now tho. Actually considering calling hospital now.

Gemy -0 congratualtions lovely birth too xxx

Congratulations Gemy, and hello to Isabel xx

Good luck awenamanger xx

Good luck awen

I have been twingeing all day and BH are getting very strong and tight and lots of downward pressure. Fingers crossed she isnt too far away now!

wow fantastic birth, well done you! congratulations and welcome to baby isabel (love that name)

Wow Awen you are good for getting through xmas dinner with contractions every 4 mins!
Best of luck with the birth and I presume you may be at the hospital now??!!

Pecka - sounds like your time will come very soon!

Am glad to have it with over with though guys, and I must say I was very impressed with the hospital - immaculately clean, they provided everything for me and baby E.G nappies etc etc and were just fab!

xxx