Am I ever going to go into labour?

[MamiBabi]

Hi,

I was examined by a midwife on Monday night where my cervix was found to be 1cm dilated and was 1cm long. I have had 3 days of 'pre-labour' with regular braxton hicks that feel like period pain type cramps and a feeling of needing to poo (sorry if TMI). I have lower back ache and lots of discharge. I'm also haveing regular, loose stools (really sorry for TMI).

I sort of thought that something would have happened by now. DP has gone back to work following Christmas break and I'm feeling a little abandoned and frustrated that I'm no further forward.

Was it like this for anyone else? This is my first time so not sure what to expect in terms of the waiting game.

total sympathy from my corner - I'm the same, It's my 4th and i've still no idea when things will hot up, possibly in the next few days or early next week - Don't tell yourself you're no further forward, you actually are quite a long way forward -50% effaced and symptoms of prelabour ain't standing still you know!
Good luck, your baby will be here soon

Thanks Jamila - maybe I'm just feeling a little bit sorry for myself this afternoon - at one point I started thinking that the midwife was making it up!

i feel exactly the same only this is my second child and thought second children where early but obviously not..
i am 5 days overdue with my second baby, first baby was only 4 days over, and i have been experiencing uncomfortable contractions for the past 2 weeks on and off during the night and they start off quite painful, and close together then they fade away and become less painful and further apart,i haven't had a show, however i did with my first, and am generally starting to convince myself that this little pne just isn't going to happen, ever!!!
i am however booked in for a membrane sweep in 2 days time, but had one during labour with my first baby and have never felt so much pain in a place i didn't even know existed, so i am a bit nervous this time, and i know that it might not even work..... have tried sex,and squating but still the baby refuses to show himself......has anyone got any advice?

Rg, just relax, follow your body,and if you found a sweep excruciating ,don't have one -they are only believed to be effective if done repeatedly over a number of days anyway, otherwise it's just doing something cos your midwife can't sit on her hands and wait. keep in your mind that term is from 37- 42 weeks , so you didn't go really over with your last one. It's the hanging around and the uncertainty that gets you though isn't it?

exactly...its so frustrating not klnowing when and where and how.....its rdeally tiring me now...thankyou..

I'm so with you on this one Mami!

Been having on and off false labour for three weeks now (occasional bouts of painful BH that last about 36 hours then stop), with exactly what you've called pre-labour for 4 days. My BH haven't stopped for more than an hour, constant backache, top-of-leg ache, period type cramps, and just like you constantly needing a poo!

Was meant to have a MW appointment today where I was probably going to have a S&S as I'm measuring very big for dates, but MW rang in sick, so nothing happening for a week.

Went for a walk this afternoon and thought stuff had finally got moving as the BH/ctx were excruciating (to the point where I couldn't walk and just had to lean over a wall looking like a fool!) then as soon as I got back and sat on the sofa, they went back to being crampy again.

Hugs to everyone - we're all in this together

sound like we've got the beginning of a club here . Don't expect you'll be having that sweep though Naetha

oooh can I join? now it's after midight so I'm now 40+8 with #4. Not much going on yet and I'm fed up

Seeing the MW tomorrow and hospital check ups on Friday. I know they'll want to induce, but I'm planning another homebirth

I've got approx 16 hours now until my mother comes to stay [insert appropriate emoticon here! somewhere between dread and panic!]. I really hope the baby either comes before she does or stays inside safe until she leaves!

hi i jus thought i would post wit my sympathies for you overdue ladies. i was in this boat this time 2 years ago and got to 40 +11 before i popped i was due dec 28th 05 an had DD 8th jan 06 it was totally poo but th wait makes th baby all th more precious x x ei x

I think I must have jinxed myself, as I had my bloody show in the night, and now having regular contractions every 5-6 minutes! You can tell I'm a naive first timer though, I didn't quite realise how much they hurt!!! I had visions of myself cooking and cleaning at this stage, with the odd grimace as I had a contraction!!

Fingers crossed for everyone else - it just goes to show it will happen!

(oh how I'll laugh if my contractions stop now and everything grinds to a halt again!)

Hope it all carries on for you Naetha - I'm sure you will be holding your baby soon.

I'm still waiting here - now 11 days overdue and have been booked in for induction tomorow. Quite anxious about it as wanted to be in the new birthing centre at the hospital but this now looks very unlikely unless something starts happening in the next few hours! Well at least I know it won't be long now. Going overdue is no fun!

How's the midwife visit gone Becky? All you who are 'overdue' and haven't reached 42 weeks do need to remember the RCOG guidance on induction which says 'induction or expectant management should be offered at 42 weeks' I heard a cracking quote on a midwifery site, when asked why he routinely induced at 40 +10 , a consultant said 'because if we wait until 42 weeks most of them will have given birth' apart from the sheer stupidity of that statement -statistically speaking, he's absolutely right, 95% or therabouts will deliver without intervention by 42 weeks. Another thing is that if you are easy to induce, then you were ready to start naturally anyway!
Easy to say, i know,and BTW I'm not overdue, just there or thereabouts for me (with a short cycle, I'm lucky to get to 39 weeks -am 38+4 at the minute with a history of silent labour -gulp )

BTW naetha nur nur nur nur nur -told you you'd not be having that sweep!

hi there,
I am 39 weeks +5, and am taking rasberry leaf and homeopathic medicine. also am getting cramps each night. are these prelabour or braxton hicks? they really hurt, but go away after 2 or 3. many thanks for help, and any advice to avoid induction

I had it in my head that all babies were overdue and I looked at is as the expected due date being my induce date....however she arrived 4 days early

I had the same symptoms as you, on the Tuesday early hours of Wed my waters went and had DD at 00:07 (bond baby) on the Sat.

Try to book something Monday for later in the week pedicure, manicure etc... bubba will soon come along! Hope you have a nice birth

FYI - Benjamin Llewelyn was born at 00:22 on 4th Jan weighing in at 8lbs 10oz, so it seems like all those niggles were doing something .

Went into hospital at 2:30 - 2cm dilated, sent home, went back at 6pm was 5cm dilated, was all rigged for the epidural (back to back labour, although MW didn't realise that until he popped out) then the MW told me I was 10cm and ready to start pushing! She also took my gas and air off me for the second stage as I wasn't focussing apparently! Pushed for an hour and a half, which was absolute hell, but he got here safe and sound in the end

congratulations glad your both well