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?

Camillalulu-please don't stare at me while I'm bouncing on my ball tweaking my nips, it's a bit strange! I'm doing my best! All I can report is the usual crampy niggling thing. Sorry!

keep twiddling

Congratulations to Jfly.

Spugs, wow, it sounds like its finally happening for you!!!!

Mumofmonsters, thats true, you did graduate well before me, I think i shall demand my turn next!!

No news here at all, I seem to get a few contractions in the morning and then they all stop again!

Come on baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

still haven't had time to type up the full story, but baby Edwyn Douglas FnF born during wales grand slam win on Sat evening by emcs. Mother shellshocked as not quite the home water birth hoped for, but the important thing is our lovely baby boy is fine.
Just have to get him feeding properly now, he takes after his dad in the laziness stakes and his mum is feeling a bit like Ermintrude attached to a pumping station.

Good luck to all those still waiting, and Angua, you have to graduate soon!

Fn41 - well done!

congratulations to you and Mr. Fit (and Wales )

Spugs - It's just too exciting!

Let's have a string of Easter babies! C'mon everyone! Get contracting!

Its my birthday today! And what a fun day it has been. Had consultant's appointment this morning. Clinic was running 1 1/2 hours late - not that they bothered to tell us that when we arrived of course. All ok and was offered a sweep even though I'm only due tomorrow, so had that and it was not as bad as I expected.

Have had period type cramps since, but not much else to get excited about. Here's hoping for tonight - full moon, equinox, first day of spring, Hindu festival of Holi - COME ON BABY!

I've just started a thread on sage leaf tea as a way to induce labour. Please post if you know anything about it!

Hallo everyone, please can I get some advice? I had a failed sweep this morning which produced a small light bleed but my cervix was very high still and thick apparently. Since 5pm this evening I've had awful period pain which radiates round to my back and down the front of my thighs. For an hour it was a regular every-5-minute bang on the dot, which I thought was odd, then it stopped for an hour or two and has now returned in a very ouchy way though not as regular to be timed properly!

My question is, (maybe a bit TMI, sorry). I had a small clear-out this afternoon but the period pains/contractions make me feel like I need another, but I can't go.
Does it sound like these are contractions that are going to continue? They are nothing like anything i've had before, and i'm getting used to wind/gassy feelings!

go for it spugs!! and you too turtle

adelaide, the ctx might well be irritating your tummy and bowels, hard to say if they are going to continue, especially if the sweep was not a thorough one, if you are 41 + weeks, then it could well be you are going into labour anyway and the sweep did help a bit...

tyr to rest and your body willlet you know what is what

congrats to fitnforty on the safe arrival of your baby too x

morning, won;t be around much today , so happy birthing to those who are birthibng, and happy waiting to those still waiting !! x

spugs has gone quiet....

Morning all,
Miserable night, had intense contractions for 8 (count 'em) hours, which were actually 2-3 minutes apart and finally lasted a minute, got to hospital 6am and everything stopped. Wasn't even dilated. Sent home and am now sitting here feeling very despondant!Obviously hanging off our bookcase rotating my hips unable to sleep all night was just the result of Braxton Hicks, as I was told by the midwife. Sigh.
Hope others are actually progressing

oh jo it is miserable isn't it. i do hope the real thing comes on for you soon.

i couldn't believe how real-thing mine seemed. i had various lengths of pre-labour from 4 to 12 hours every couple of days. and TBH, i didn't spot i was in real labour until i cou;dn;t stop vocalising a la barnyard...when the MW heard me over the phone she came shooting out to us. other than that, i wasn't convinced at all!

Adelaide don't worry- I ahd that with ds2, and went into full labour the next day- it usually emans there's not that long to go, don't lose heart.

Mum has reminded me I should be eating the rhubarb by now- old family tradition, I am apparently a third generation rhubrab baby and it worked with one of mine (cant remember which LOL), maybe worth a go if anybody likes the stuff?

Yes it is crap MB and Peachy...thought I was coping with the pain really well all night and now my DP and I realise that I'm going to have to be peeled from the floor while moo-ing or barking to believe that dilation is taking place instead of V E R Y S L O W effacement!

I'm probably going to whine on here for days now, apologies in advance!
I hope all those cuddling their babies are loving the first Easter, and waiters.....I'm willing you (and me) on!

ahhhh love these threads my best mate had her baby this morning!

Big baby, here's our big birth story finally!

Since spugs has gone quiet - surely she has by now...???

I had an interesting 24 hours. Went for routine antenatal appt, nothing unusual. Went to supermarket afterwards and barely made it back to car as strong painful contractions stopping me moving too far too fast. Realised driving home was not an option, hospital only a few hundred metres away so drove back to hospital and sat in reception area wondering what to do other than rest and hope the contractions would reduce. After an hour walked upto maternity/labour ward. They told me to go get hospital notes from admission and to return to get checked.

When an hour later they managed to get to see me, I was having contractions every five minutes - almost off the scale on the CTG, examined - baby 3/5 engaged but only 2cm (was less than 1cm 3 weeks previously). So was admitted to see how things progressed. Continued for a few more hours of really strong take breath away contractions with pressure and period type pain. Then all started to slow down again...... arggggg. This morning contractions 15 to 20 mins apart and examined again, baby now out of pelvis floating high and completely closed cervix...... , all the pain had done nothing but move the baby the wrong way!!!!!!!!

Oh well looks like I have a few more days of contractions to go yet.

rainbow-that is hideously unfair. Have some chocolate.

b nora, that's really tedious for you better luck next time!

Fitnfourtyone, contratulations

Rainbowdays and Adelaidejo, that sounds horrible. So sorry for you.

No news here, had some horrible pains this morning, they stopped again, nothing since!

Really can't take much more of this!

aw, hugs for ANgue too. it's such a bloody trial isn't it switching that there brain off and take just an hour at a time was all that worked for me to get through it. that, and this thread.

MORE HUGS.

just turned computer on to check on everyone - sounds very tedious all this pain without baby-ness.

Angua - you can take this. You will be all right. I promise [sympathetic rub of the arm emoticon]