Today is my 3rd day of contractions. Please someone give me some ideas, distract me or make me smile or something!

[pobletsmum]

This is my 2nd baby. 1st time round, contractions started at less than 10 mins apart and very painful & relentless, but went on for 2 days, then admitted to hospital exhausted, DS born on 3rd day after a cascade of interventions. It was very difficult. So far, things seem different this time...

On thursday, friday and today, I have woken up feeling normal. Contractions have started mid-morning, carried on all day (able to sleep each day at lunchtime for around 30 mins without waking up, but ctx continued), into the evening, and into the night. I'm describing them as contractions cos they're stronger than BH, but they aren't very painful yet, more uncomfortable (unlike with 1st labour). I can still walk during them but find myself distracted if I try to keep talking. They seem to keep coming whatever I do (sit/stand/walk/bath/nap etc), just stopping at night. On thursday & yesterday they were around 15-20 mins apart. They are currently 7-8mins apart (have been coming more frequently as today has gone on). I don't suppose for one minute that I'm in labour (desperately trying not to get excited!), but I'm not 100% sure. I'm starting to get a bit fed up. I don't feel like going anywhere, but don't feel like doing nothing either, so have tried to keep eating, drinking, taking naps, went for walk this am, quick trip out in car this pm, lots of rolling hips while sitting on birthing ball etc.

I am 10 days overdue today, and eager to get things going - have tried all the usual suggestions, I think. I don't really know what I want from m'netters, but I suppose I just hope for encouragement/distraction/ideas of things to try/knowing whether I'm doing the right things or not. I know that this might go on for days yet

Thank you very much for reading my ramblings!

it all sounds like it's going in the right direction - all of these contractions will be helping get the baby into a good position, softening your cervix.

You say you've tried all the usual suggestions to get things going - have you tried sex and nipple stimulation?

not sure if it will help but I danced DS2 out to MTV (imagine 9 month pregnant pussycat dolls impression )
get shaking that baby out!

Sounds like things are really progressing slowly but surely in the right direction hope to hear that by tomorrow Buba has made an appearance

i had two days of sloooooooooooow labour

my MW advised me to eat loads of sugary foods to kick start things and it seemed to work

was too tired to even contemplate having sex TBH but apparently it does work!

Belgo - yes and yes! Haven't tried dancing yet jen. Perhaps that should be next.

Thanks ladies.

HUge sympathies. I'm in a similar sitation, been having ctx since 7pm last night-they were every 5 minutes at one stage but keep going up and down. They're now about every 8=10 minutes. I managed to get some sleep last night but nowhere near enough. I spent several hours on the birth unit today as the ctx were so frequent and painful but when they finally examined me I wasn't engage at all so have come home again. It's so frustrating, I know how you feel, I'm not sure how much longer I can put up with it.

Oh Haylstones - sorry to hear you're in the same position. I'm lucky that I've been able to sleep. That was my downfall last time. Have you been able to sleep during the day at all?

My baby's head was 2/5 engaged yesterday am (not quite enough for a sweep apparently). I'm going to antenatal ward tomorrow for CTG monitoring (as will be 11 days overdue) & a sweep if possible.

Off to eat dinner now. Back later.

Dancing is good. Go for a walk. Keep mobile. Rest when you feel like it. If it's uncomfortable rather than painful then it's just a waiting game really. I'd stay at home as long as possible to try to avoid interventions this time too!

dancing is good,marslady always recommends watching a comedy as laughing helps open you up

i always recommend sex and nipple stim

sip your raspberry leaf tea, make sure you wee regularly, rest if you want to. your body will let you know when you need to pay attention

Boo!

Did the suprise help? (or is that just hiccups?)

My aunt is a midwife and she used to deliver babies in the war during blackout in cellars etc so really has some tried and tested non complex tips, she said the best thing is lie on your back with legs bent and push hard against a wall and make sure you really activate your front thigh muscles!!! Apparently it stimulates the uterus.
A doctor friend recommends pineapple as well (to eat!!!!!!!)

You sound exactly like me with my 2nd one. Let me ask this: what are you doing with your first child when you have the 2nd? Because my problem was that I had a stream of friends lined up to be on call but none who were close by or convenient. My body was more than ready to give birth - contractions for days, but subconsciously, my mind kept wondering what I was going to do with DS1.

I was almost two weeks overdue and finally my sister arrived from abroad. She arrived at 9.30pm. At 10.45 - contractions kicked in properly. Baby was out by 1.15am.

I firmly believe it was because my mind could finally let go because I knew I had someone to watch DS1.

Thanks everyone.

JoshandJamie - very good point. DS has been at my mum's house since last night, so I'm not worried about him at all. I am missing him a bit though. DH and I went to see him this afternoon (hence short ride in the car).

Alfiesbabe - I just hope this waiting game doesn't last too long. I have a homebirth booked, but am keeping my options open depending on how I feel at the time.

luminarphrases - aaaahhhh! You scared me!

Ah Poblet, maybe baba is waiting for your DC1 to go to bed! So you can get on with your homebirth

I doubt it Jen cos he's at my mum's house, fortunately. I didn't want him to be here cos I knew I'd be worried about waking him up etc. As it is, I know he'll be having a wonderful time, probably being spoilt rotten!

Please can anyone give me some idea how long this MIGHT go on for? If things go well, might the baby arrive overnight? Could it still be several days? Obviously I know this birthing thing is not an exact science, I'm just after some intelligent guesses!

Contractions are getting slightly stronger and longer, but only very slightly. Still averaging around 7 mins, although some variation.

Walk the streets with one foot on the kerb, the other in the road. Worked for me!

Can you MN and jump up and down? I think there is something in the whole keep moving thing, it's dark now so noone will see you walking the streets with one foot on the curb, other in the road. Do you want to come and walk our dog?

Thanks for the offer glucose! Trying not to MN too much so that I can keep moving. Tops of inner thighs starting to ache though, so resting in funny seated position on sofa (still keeping upright etc) or on ball from time to time, where I can MN!

Down to 6-7 mins now (but trying not to obsess about times). I think this might really be it. Is it normal to feel hot in the early stages?

Mine were every five - eight minutes for three days, some of them were about five minutes long. She was posterior and I had to go to Hosp. in the end, a bit exhausted. At one point I ate too much toast and peanut butter, puked it all up and I discovered that......hooray! -being sick while squatting down made my waters break, which sped things up a little bit! Not a delightful experience but it meant some progress was made. Good luck, I hope things go well with your baby.

Woolly - sounds a bit like my last labour. I really feel for you.

I'm going to try and go to bed now. I'm a bit scared that everything will stop again (as it has the last 2 nights), but if I stay awake, I'll just end up exhausted, so I will try to sleep.

are either of you around still or are your babes on the way..

sending you good labour vibes..

Well... the conractions didn't stop. My lovely daughter was born yesterday lunchtime, weighing 8lb12. I'm so happy!

welcome to baby poblet ! congratulations to you on the safe arrival of your DD x

congratulations on the birth of your DD x