Traditional "It would appear that I am in labour, but when will it actually get going properly thread

[AnguaVonUberwald]

I have been having period like pains and backache since friday evening, last night I had an hour and a half of really intense contractions every few minutes, that suddenly stopped, had a few this morning as well, but now back to the period like pains and backache, how long could this go on for?

Still with you, turtle. More of a show in the night and a few cramps, but no action. Went to day assessment this morning b/c baby wasn't moving around. Of course started jigging about once monitors were on. Stubborn and lazy, like its father (his words, not mine)!

Trace was normal and found that contractions were irregular at about 40-45% (whatever that means). Could feel them as tightening more than anything painful.

Had them give me another sweep (just for laughs). Not much change in conditions from last week, but cervix is shortening a bit more, still anterior, and still about a finger's dilated.

Sooo, will go in as planned tomorrow and talk to drs about options. Not keen on ARM, so will see what they say.

Acupuncture this afternoon, so all systems go! Show me the baby!

Another March thread lurker here, I was wondering where everyone had gone!

Due today, had a tiny bit of a show 10 days ago but nothing since, and no BHs etc (at least not that I've noticed ). I am feeling very 'tender' down there today, but was swimming last night so that may be the cause.

I'm in the strange position of wanting baby to stay where it is for a bit longer as we're still ripping out our bathroom (March ladies will groan as they've been hearing this for ages!), but at the same time I'm really keen to have a water birth and so don't want to be so overdue that I'm induced and have to transfer from community unit to labour ward...

There is a bit of a history of overdue babies in our family so am anticipating being in for the long haul..

I've got a midwife appt today, and the norm here seems to be to have a sweep at 40 +6, and it is then patient choice of being induced between 10-12 days overdue if all still ok.

@ show me the baby (in the style of Jerry Maguire)

Jfly...the lovely midwife who did my trace 3 weeks ago said my contractions were at 50-75% and said "oooh...looks like you won't be long, now!" (cut to pic of turtle sitting twiddling her thumbs) I wish they'd just monitor the baby. She really got my hopes up. Having said that, you are at the very front of the queue and you WILL be soon.

JFly - you HAVE to be soon! Fingers crossed the sweep does it's thing and everything kicks off soon (naturally).

Monthlymayhem - we've reached our due date then...! Am also (slightly) in 2 minds as should really finish the DIY before LO arrives but am so desperate not to be induced that I'd rather she was here now and the carpets had to be delayed (again). Am also getting bored of being huge and having completely unproductive BHs all the time and not sleeping and and and and.... whinge over!

Another joiner from March thread, although I feel like I shouldn't be posting on this thread as I have absolutely NO signs of imminent labour despite due date of Friday.

Having said that Thursday is my birthday and what's the betting the little sod will come then just to spite me and I'll get to spend my last ever grown up birthday giving birth!!

Also can feel the consultant circling like a hungry shark with labour inducing equipment, just cos it's the Easter weekend.

Thomas the Tank engine cake, jelly, ice cream, anyone??

mars - stick the kettle on, I haven't time to make tea as well

(my own. You lot can sort your own farking brows out until you're actually in labour )

jammi..you be "have been pregnant forever," i will be "will be pregnant forever."
Any bacon left?

Psh, well that makes my 45% look pitiful!

Acupuncture was good. He said my energy was much improved after treatment. He aims for around 12 hours from treatment to labour, but has had a 6 hour and an 8 hour. And they were quick labours.

Feeling like I need to carbo load - where are those scones and tea, Squonks? You're definitely going to need an assistant. But actually, forget the tea - I think I need a cocktail, and make mine a double!

Saw midwife today, baby still right down, bloodpressure slightly up (but that could have been from the 45 minute wait).

Told to go to day assesment center again tommorow! Cramps at 5 in the morning waking me up, nothing now!

GETTING VERY CHEESED OFF!

Good luck Jfly! Mine told me I should do self-acupressure on the same points if I was desperate. Where were your points? I got them in my shoulder(well, the top towards my neck), between my thumb and forefinger, above ankle and little toes.

Pinned ladies, I got points on little toes (ouch ouch ouch), adjacent to both knees and on wrists underneath thumbs.

Im due on friday, have been having contractions on and off for a few days now but strongest ones today, however theyre not strong enough. Had some scary ones that woke me up the other night but they passed too. Ds was 5 days early, I just want this over now.

Im petrified about this labour (have a 'c or v?' thread explaining why) and every night Im in tears worrying if 'this is the night'

Sending good strong contraction vibes!

Hello everyone

Sorry I havent read all of the posts but now I am 3 days overdue (not that bad I know but MW had me pack my hospital bag and put the labour ward no on speed dial a week ago!!!) and have therefore found this thread too...

Hi turtle and HQ and everyone else from the quieter March thread!!! Hope you are doing ok

Is everyone else also feeling really kind of flu like symptoms on top of the unexpected night sweats you were talking about earlier? I really feel like sh!t. Like I have the worst flu ever but without actually having any kind of cold???

Does this make any sense?

Good luck with the self accupressure... I have been given 6 cycles to do - one on the hand pressure point (Hoku???) followed by circular pressure above inner ankle bone then above crease of butt crack and finally above achilles tendon... Does this sound like what anyone else is up to??? I must say, rubbing the lower back pressure point is fantastic... It seems really relaxing but aint bringing on any contractions!!!

GOOOOOD LLUUUUCCCKKK!!! COME ON BABIES!

Turtle he did points on my lower back (sacrum area), hand between thumb and index, inside of leg just up from ankle bone, and a few points on the top of my feet. He mentioned I could try doing the hand points myself for 10-15 at a time and also to do nipple stim! He didn't offer to do it himself, thank god.

Cramping pretty constant since treatment, so hoping that it will turn into something more obvious!

Hi all,

Also from the March thread ... can't wait to have LO coming out, he seems to be pushing in every possible directions but down... Putting all my hopes for this Friday since it is a full moon and the fact that my mother delivered both I and my sister 10days early. I am due on the 24th or on the 30th, depending whom I listen to, so crossing fingers and practicing squatting....Unfortunately, I can imagine that on monday I will be posting on this thread crying or whatever my hormones will be dictating at the time.

JFly - fingers crossed that it all kicks off tonight before your induction

I've just had another show (my third). Nobody told me this could be a multiple occurrence: two weeks ago, yesterday and today. I thought when that plug was out, that was it but clearly not where this bambino is concerned. But I have no other symptoms now - even BH have disappeared. I am losing patience...

Jfly - Hope it's all started for you!
HQ - Surely you're about to leave us too? Three shows is a lot..

Hello everyone. Nothing to declare here except that I now need a wee 4 or 5 times an hour (TMI), although I am drinking silly amounts of raspberry leaf tea, which probably explains it all (I do hope the stuff isn't toxic as I'll drop dead very soon if it is).
I'm starting acupuncture too in a few days.

Dillinger: I'm also due on Friday
Dillinger and Prisci: Friday IS an amazing day. Full moon + Good Friday + Official start of spring (Spring equinox, when the day lasts exactly as long as the night, happens twice a year obviously) + Holi (Hindu festival) Sorry I sound like a hippy again, but I do teach Philosophy and Religion as a job, it rubs on you.
Surely SOME babies have to arrive on that day!!

Oh well, at least SOMETHING will be happening if that's the case.

What is less amusing for all concerned, of course, is that we might all go into labour in the middle of Easter weekend when all the midwives and other staff are on hol, and we're all told to get on with it on our own

Wow, hasn't this thread got busy! Its very comforting to know that lots of others are feeling the same.

I had accupuncture last night and was kept up for most of the night with cramps, but, as per usual, they haven't actually gone anywhere, have another appointment today, so will see if that finally gets things going!

Contractions, dare I speak thy name?

Regular contractions (every 5-7 minutes) started 4:45 this morning. Vary in intensity and length but hovering around 30 seconds and enough to make me get up and move around - certainly can't sit/lie down during one. Bloody show throughout.

Called labour ward about 8:15 and they said I should still come in for monitoring later, even though I had a regular trace yesterday. Anyway, my plan is to stay home until I feel like it's "time", or if things slow down/stop.

Oh, and I think this may hurt a little.

JFly - that sounds promising

Angua - think of it like this: If you suddenly had a baby it would be a big shock to the system. If, however, your body plays silly buggers for weeks before the baby comes along, actually looking after a small person all through the night (sleepless nights and all that) will seem like a breeze compared to this.

Don't suppose it helps though.

I'll get the bacon/fakon on