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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Someone please read regarding contractions

51 replies

howcanitell · 28/09/2022 18:51

I posted this morning about having contractions - they started at 2am was every twenty mins for about 3 hours and then just stopped. Came back mid morning but only white light, all day since been varying in intensity, some really painful and strong and other quite weak and quick. I went to get checked in advice of my midwife and had quite an abrupt midwife who seemed to decide before examining me that I probably wasn't in labour as I wouldn't be able to talk.
She said I was not dilated, she could get one finger in because id already had a child, but that my cervix was forward. I am in latent labour.
I've been losing my plug since Monday, pink and red mucus.
Since leaving the
hospital I'm having contractions every 7 mins on average lasting around 50 seconds. They seem to get worse when I move around. I've had two strong cocodamol and still in pain.

Do I go back ?? How can I not be dilating yet be having such frequent and strong contractions ??

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SalviaOfficinalis · 28/09/2022 18:53

I would call the midwives. They probably won’t want you to come in quite yet.. with mine I had to wait till they were every 5 mins I think.
But it’s worth calling to talk it through with them.

Wibbly1008 · 28/09/2022 18:53

I had a stop start labour. My water broke when I got in the bath. If you are worried call the hospital again, you sound like you are on the way to being in labour but your at the on/off bit like I was.

girlmom21 · 28/09/2022 18:54

Don't they say once they're every 5 minutes and last 2 minutes a time?

I went from 6cm to giving birth in about 10 minutes though so go if you feel like you need to.

Wibbly1008 · 28/09/2022 18:54

Honestly hot water bottle on your back or get in bath…worked to get things going for me

SalviaOfficinalis · 28/09/2022 18:58

Good suggestion of a bath. I found a shower really soothing. The midwife suggested it and I thought it was ridiculous because I was in agony, but it actually did help. The feeling of the water on my back distracted from the pain.

Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 18:59

When looking at contractions in regards to active labour we assess them in how many in a 10 minute period.
Of course everybody is different but generally we would expect somebody in active labour to be having approx 3 or 4 regular contractions in a 10 minute period.

You may well be starting to dilate now but it’s likely you are still in the latent phase, however as you have had a child before your cervix can change very quickly once you are having frequent, regular contractions.

You are absolutely within your right to request to go back in, just be prepared to be told you are still in the latent phase and don’t be disappointed by this!

Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:12

I've had a bath and it did help, as soon as I've got out I've had I think 3 now in 15 mins or so. I just don't get how my contractions can be so frequent and I'm not even a cm dilated ? And some are super strong and painful and others quicker and not as bad.

Also they seem to ramp up more when I move around, is this normal ? I had my ds 8 years ago so I've forgotten all this ! But I know once those contractions started it was all progressing, this one is so back and forth 😩

Also I'm booked in for an ELCS - I know I can still have it as I've been reassured with that but do I have to be 4cm before they will do it or will they just do it now it's pretty obvious labour is starting ?

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Wonkyjelly · 28/09/2022 19:13

I had this with my third. Told I was 1cm and to go home, I was back 45 minutes later and pushing in the hallway, they still didn’t believe me until I started taking my clothes off and pushing. Baby was born in the hallway of hospital 5 minutes later. Trust your gut, I appreciate my labour wasn’t the norm, but you absolutely deserve to have a safe space to air your concerns and deliver your baby.

Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:14

If you are booked in for ELCS then they can do it at any time if you are in labour, even the latent phase, obviously dependant on their current workload and staffing etc.

Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:15

And an examination of your cervix only tells you what your cervix is doing at the exact moment of the examination. It’s very possible you are beginning to dilate now, or at least your cervix will be thinning and softening.

Purplehonesty2 · 28/09/2022 19:18

howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:12

I've had a bath and it did help, as soon as I've got out I've had I think 3 now in 15 mins or so. I just don't get how my contractions can be so frequent and I'm not even a cm dilated ? And some are super strong and painful and others quicker and not as bad.

Also they seem to ramp up more when I move around, is this normal ? I had my ds 8 years ago so I've forgotten all this ! But I know once those contractions started it was all progressing, this one is so back and forth 😩

Also I'm booked in for an ELCS - I know I can still have it as I've been reassured with that but do I have to be 4cm before they will do it or will they just do it now it's pretty obvious labour is starting ?

When is your section booked in for?

My waters broke a week before my section date so they did it then and there.

I would have thought if you are in labour they would want to do the section asap but I don't know how that works if your water hasn't broken.

Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:25

My section is booked for a week today.
See this is what I don't get, why am I being made to wait to be in active labour when I'm not having a natural birth anyway ? To me it just seems unnecessary...
I've had my show, I'm having contractions, surely that should be enough to just carry on with it ?

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Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:27

You shouldn’t be made to wait till you are in active labour. They definitely can get on with it, but it may be that the workload etc wouldn’t make it safe to take you to theatre right now so they are biding time.

why are you having an ELCS if you don’t mind me asking? No judgement at all; it may help me advise you further.

Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:28

Wonkyjelly · 28/09/2022 19:13

I had this with my third. Told I was 1cm and to go home, I was back 45 minutes later and pushing in the hallway, they still didn’t believe me until I started taking my clothes off and pushing. Baby was born in the hallway of hospital 5 minutes later. Trust your gut, I appreciate my labour wasn’t the norm, but you absolutely deserve to have a safe space to air your concerns and deliver your baby.

I felt abit silly to be honest ! She told me I wouldn't be able to talk and that I'd feel pain across my whole bump. I'm feeling extreme tightening and pain in my lower back when they happen and all low down under my bump and tightening across my bump.

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Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:29

Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:27

You shouldn’t be made to wait till you are in active labour. They definitely can get on with it, but it may be that the workload etc wouldn’t make it safe to take you to theatre right now so they are biding time.

why are you having an ELCS if you don’t mind me asking? No judgement at all; it may help me advise you further.

I've got gestational diabetes and don't want to be induced. I also inject blood thinners so they wouldn't be able to guarantee me an epidural.
I haven't done my injection tonight either as the contractions became so frequent

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Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:32

I think in your situation with your clinical risk factors you should definitely be calling them back and at least discussing your worries with them.
Are you on any medication for your diabetes?

00deed1988 · 28/09/2022 19:35

If you are booked for a CS then I would go back and ask to speak to an obstetrician. Have you ever had a vaginal birth before as that means things can move fast. If you have never had a vaginal birth, this bit can last a while, the latent phase can be on and off for days. The contractions don't appear to be regular yet if some are really painful and others are more bareable and if they havent settled into a pattern yet. That being said, ideally they should keep you in if you are contracting until they get a spot for a category 3 caesarean (an elective is a category 4).

Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:35

Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:32

I think in your situation with your clinical risk factors you should definitely be calling them back and at least discussing your worries with them.
Are you on any medication for your diabetes?

I'm just worried they're going to fob me off again, I'm so tired aswell because I've been up since 2am.

No it's diet controlled and pretty well to be honest but I've really tried hard to eat well

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Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:36

00deed1988 · 28/09/2022 19:35

If you are booked for a CS then I would go back and ask to speak to an obstetrician. Have you ever had a vaginal birth before as that means things can move fast. If you have never had a vaginal birth, this bit can last a while, the latent phase can be on and off for days. The contractions don't appear to be regular yet if some are really painful and others are more bareable and if they havent settled into a pattern yet. That being said, ideally they should keep you in if you are contracting until they get a spot for a category 3 caesarean (an elective is a category 4).

Yeah I've had a vaginal delivery with my son

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Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 19:37

Babies movements are becoming really painful now too

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Lj8893 · 28/09/2022 19:40

I agree with the above poster, they should be keeping you in until they are able to take you to theatre. Things can change incredibly quickly when you have had a vaginal birth before and you can go from having a closed cervix to a baby in a short space of time!

SalviaOfficinalis · 28/09/2022 19:42

If you’re meant to be having a c-section then I would definitely go back to hospital now. Did the midwife you spoke to know you’re meant to be having a c-section?

StarsandStones · 28/09/2022 19:43

Did you remind them of your ELCS? Maybe she didn't read your notes correctly?...

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 28/09/2022 19:43

I was booked in for a c section and told if labour started to call and go straight in as they would need to get c section done asap beforw labour really got going. Did the midwife who examined you know you are having a c section?

Original poster
howcanitell · 28/09/2022 20:04

Just had abit of a debate on the phone with a midwife. She told me they will not do a c section until I'm 4cm because I've never had one before so therefore have no previous risk of rupture etc..
my contractions are averaging around every 9 mins now and some are bad some aren't still. I feel like crying to be honest as im so stressed. I argued how fast things can change especially with second births and she wasn't really listening. Said I could come in but I'll be sent home again. I said what if I want to speak to a doctor she said well that's if there is one...

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