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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Bouncingturtle thinks she might be in labour!

158 replies

Bouncingturtlewithtinsel · 25/12/2007 15:46

Been having on and off contractions since yesterday evening. Had 1& 1/2 hours worth last night, but not regular in length or interval.
Managed to sleep last night, been getting them on and off again today, but think thye may be increasing in intensity.
I've got a continuous tightening pain under my bump, then what I think are contractions start under my bump and then it moves across around to my back.
But had no show or anything.

I'm having some problems with timing the contractions because they seem a bit vague, I imagine it would be like
no pain, pain, PAIN, PAIN!, PAIN!!!!!, PAIN!, PAIN, pain, no pain.
But it's more like
pain, oh, is that more pain? Oh yes I think so. Ooh better start timing, OWWWW!! Has it stopped, err no, err yes, err no. Oh now it has!

Does this make any kind of sense?

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Original poster
Bouncingturtlewithtinsel · 27/12/2007 09:25

Thanks guys, you've all be really helpful.
Contractions now 50 secs, between 21/2 - 4mins apart, but we think baby has moved again, but still feeling the pain above my pubic bone and in my back.
Don't know what else to do.

OP posts:
justjules · 27/12/2007 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

liger · 27/12/2007 09:33

how are you feeling? , I mean in your mind, not physically (I can imagine that well enough! )

Original poster
Bouncingturtlewithtinsel · 27/12/2007 09:34

ATM finding it unbearable, feeling scared now.

OP posts:
suzi2 · 27/12/2007 09:40

You have my sympathies as I did this with both. mine. Just hold out... the 'real' thing wasn't any more painful for me (as I'd been in pain for days) and as I said before, I eventually dilated quite far without realising things had changed. I had actually gone into hospital, panting every 3 mins, asking them to stop the false labour as I couldn't cope any longer. And was 6cm. With DD I had a homebirth, called the mw out at 11pm to reassure my mum it wasn't the real thing, and was 8cm.

Chin up, plenty deep breathing, rest on your side if you can at all. You really are getting there, might not seem it now, but your body is doing a lot of work in the right direction. Try different positions for the contractions. I can't really remember with DS, but with DD mine were hellish if I sat down or squatted (or bounced on the gym ball) but were better if I stood and stamped a foot (weird!) leaned over the kitchen counter or went on all fours and rocked.

best of luck... I'm getting very excited now so I'll shut up lol

suzi2 · 27/12/2007 09:41

If it's unbearable BT, go to the hospital and ask for something. Why are you scared? I know I was terrified with DS that if I couldn't cope with the 'false' stuff, how would I manage with the real. But it was no worse.

buzzybee · 27/12/2007 09:45

Hi Bouncing. More good vibes from down under. Been feeling things are a bit more imminent here too (I was due 22nd)...have you tried getting in the bath? I know there are conflicting reports about whether it slows things down or not but it was the one thing that helped me with pain in the early stages of labour last time with DD1. That and having H rub my back through contractions. Sounds like you are doing really well coping and I really hope when I wake up tomorrow (10.45pm here!) you have your lovely baby!

liger · 27/12/2007 10:02

oh bouncing, I'm sorry you are feeling scared. If it is unbearable and you are scared you need to go somewhere where you can get reassurance and feel safe.

Phone the hospital and tell them just that, if just being there will calm you then that will help you to manage the labour

you are doing brilliantly and you will be absolutely fine,

this is the hardest part because you still have time to think about things, soon your body will take over and you'll be in the flow

xxxxx

liger · 27/12/2007 10:11

actually get your Dp to call the hospital and do all the logistics from now on, you need to focus on contractions xxxx

suzi2 · 27/12/2007 10:32

Meant to say to not be scared. It really is all OK and you'll have your baby with you soon.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 27/12/2007 10:32

Don't be scared sweetheart. I know it's all very overwhelming, but once you start getting scared and letting negativity in you can start releasing adrenaline - which you don't want to do.

Focus on the positive and zone out on being scared. It's natural to be scared as you haven't done this before, but you can do it. YOU CAN DO IT.

Speak to your dh and get him to reassure you. If your dh is feeling wobbly too, speak to a mw who will reassure you and be a calming influence.

IAmADaddy · 27/12/2007 10:37

Mr BT here. Back in hospital. She couldn't take it any more. Update soon

MarsyChristmas · 27/12/2007 10:39

How are you doing now turtle?

MarsyChristmas · 27/12/2007 10:42

IMADaddy... when she takes the gas'n'air... tell her it takes a few contractions before it starts to work.

She should breathe in deeply, in and out through the tube as a contraction starts. She's to continue until it finishes and then she's to take some deep breaths of ordinary air.

Thinking of you today! Stay strong! (ooh and make sure she goes to wee at least every 2 hours)

liger · 27/12/2007 10:46

hello Mr BT, tell Mrs BT we are all thinking of her and sending her lots of calming and dilating vibes xxxx

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 27/12/2007 10:48

Iamadaddy, I'm thinking of your both and I'm visualising a dilating fanjo and a gorgeous little bundle of joy for you

GreebosWhiskers · 27/12/2007 10:51

Good luck BouncingTurtle!

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 27/12/2007 10:52

Oh, and my prediction is a little boy.

Anyone else dare to guess?

madmouse · 27/12/2007 10:53

Bouncing Turtle, you can do it! We are all rooting for you.

pukkapatch · 27/12/2007 11:58

havent you had that baby yet woman!
lots of good wishes to you. hope it all happens quickly, and with as little pain as possible.

IAmADaddy · 27/12/2007 12:11

Got examined about 40 minutes back and still only 2.5cm. Progress though - was 1cm at 5am and since then the cervix has dropped down and is much thinner.

Offered more dihydrocodene which we refused as it sent her really spaced and nauseous yesterday. Got a Trammadol instead and she's now trying to dose having basically been at it since 8pm yesterday.

Staff have been brilliant - no prblem us staying. Took best part of 20 mins to walk here from the car so don't see the point in going home to come back again mid afternoon ("come in when pain relief needed" - that's now!)

MarsyChristmas · 27/12/2007 12:14

Get her to lie on her left side. She can have a birthing ball or beanbag on the bed that she can lean on.

It's good that she tries to dose, she'll need the energy later.

Thanks for keeping us updated. Tell her well done... her body's progressing.

cece · 27/12/2007 12:29

Good luck bouncingturtle. Sending contracting vibes....

minspugs · 27/12/2007 12:43

good luck bouncing

IAmADaddy · 27/12/2007 12:45

Got examined about 40 minutes back and still only 2.5cm. Progress though - was 1cm at 5am and since then the cervix has dropped down and is much thinner.

Offered more dihydrocodene which we refused as it sent her really spaced and nauseous yesterday. Got a Trammadol instead and she's now trying to dose having basically been at it since 8pm yesterday.

Staff have been brilliant - no prblem us staying. Took best part of 20 mins to walk here from the car so don't see the point in going home to come back again mid afternoon ("come in when pain relief needed" - that's now!)