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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Waiting for labour – what to expect?

39 replies

esgill · 20/09/2023 20:05

I'm at 38 weeks + 5 days. My due date is next week but I know baby could come any time between now and mid-October. I'm starting to feel nervous/excited. Hospital bag packed, trying to finish some last min work before her arrival. 3/7 women from my antenatal class have already given birth (including one c-section).

I have googled what to expect to death and I know a first sign could be one of these: contractions, waters breaking, mucous plug, a nesting instinct.

But I'd love to hear what your experiences were like. Did you have any other unusual symptoms that preceded labour? What was the order of events for you and when did it happen? How long did it take for contractions to come on and then speed up? Any advice for waiting patiently, welcome!

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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 20/09/2023 22:19

My best advice would be not to wait until your waters break, the MW broke them with DC1 when I was pretty far along and DC2 was born in hers.

First signs with DC1 was a need to wee often followed by regular period type pains.

DC2 was huge contractions from the beginning. Luckily they calmed down enough for me to get to the Hospital.

bravotango · 20/09/2023 22:25

Ah so exciting! For me, I'd had a big oxytocin day the day before my due date to try and get things going. 9.30 had a bout of javelin arse (ha) while watching telly, went to bed and when my contractions started 2 hours later I realised the javelin arse was actually that! Back to back labour, stayed at home in the bath for ages, ended up with a c section but overall really positive birth. My advice is to spend these last days doing some hypnobirthing and get the oxytocin flowing!

Ladyj84 · 20/09/2023 22:43

All 4 gave me very little time on all. quick home births longest labour was first 4 hours but I never felt anything other than fat and wanting it over lol

oistopthatyoucheekysnail · 21/09/2023 19:29

Baby 1 - contractions began at 40+1. 11 hours later my waters broke with a movie like gush. 33 hours after first contraction and 2 hours of pushing, I delivered via emergency c section.

Baby 2 - 38+3 and started having contractions every other minute. 3 hours in I was 9cm and starting to feel the urge to push. I had another emergency c section at my own request.

Both times my first signs were contractions, nothing beforehand.

Bunny2006 · 21/09/2023 20:30

My waters broke at 39+3, I had no feelings labour was near at all before hand, just sat on the sofa and felt a lot of uncomfortable pressure so went to the toilet and they literally popped! It surprised me how much there was, I was soaking maternity pads. I didn't have any contractions but called the midwife led unit where they said I was no longer allowed there as would need induction due to showing positive for group B strep previously so to call labour ward. Went and got checked they confirmed it was waters and advised the drip induction, I declined but stayed in for iv antibiotics for the strep b, eventually agreed to the drip the next day and baby born the following day. Contractions were tough and came on suddenly , and no break in-between but that's the drip, the pushing stage and recovery went very smoothly. Best of luck :)

Bouncyball23 · 21/09/2023 20:53

Ds1 waters broke I began getting terrible back ache didn't realise this was contractions (I expected period type pain but stronger) he was born4 hours later.
Dd2 spotting and show day before but then pretty much the same as ds1 waters broke when I woke up terrible back pain again she was alot quicker tho born 2 hours later just made it to the hospital in time.

Mrsmch123 · 21/09/2023 22:45

I went for a bath as I was bored and wanted to pass some time. Husband was at work. Got out got dried and decided to get pjs on and jump back into bed. Lay down then felt like I needed a pee. So stood up and felt a trickle...thought I had peed myself🙈went done a pee was just about to head back into bed then came the woosh of the rest of my waters at 11am .Then nothing happened. Went up to the hospital and they confirmed it was my waters and booked me in for induction the next day if nothing had happened. At 4am contractions started, took some paracetamol and when back to sleep. Got up at 8 and the contractions started to ramp up. Headed to the hospital for 11 as planned and checked at 12 after all the admin stuff to find out I was 6cm 2hrs later he was born! Would do it all again in a heartbeat!good luck 🍀

Original poster
esgill · 22/09/2023 00:22

Thanks for sharing everyone! Seems it very much comes out of the blue for most. I'll be waiting for my own first signs... Scared and excited!

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GodspeedJune · 22/09/2023 17:07

I was expecting to go overdue so was very surprised to wake up in the small hours with what felt like mild period pains. Got up for a wee and as I got back into bed I felt a big ‘pop’ sensation, managed to jump out of bed before a gush of waters came!

My labour didn’t follow a typical pattern and baby was born 40 hours later but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

Good luck!

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 24/09/2023 08:34

No news yet then @esgill? Wink

Original poster
esgill · 24/09/2023 17:36

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto no news, I'm still waiting! 39 +2 – I've been having some lightning crotch though and my tummy is making lots of gurgling noises...

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thenightfeed · 24/09/2023 17:51

Fingers crossed things are going to happen for you soon! I thought at the time mine just started with contractions at 38+2 but in retrospect I had had a slight ‘funny tummy’ for a day or two before. No pain but a bit of slightly loose stool, gurgly etc!
Agree with not waiting for your waters necessarily- I went to hospital 5 hours after my contractions started and I was 10cm! The contractions had gotten very very intense by that point, I probably should’ve gone in a bit earlier. Midwife had to break my waters. Good luck! Short term pain for the best ever gain!

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 24/09/2023 21:03

Well there's no proof that more babies are born during a full moon but some MWs will tell you it's always a busier shift so maybe they're waiting for Friday night? Wink

Original poster
esgill · 28/09/2023 03:16

3 am and I think labour might be starting for me! I went for a walk after dinner. Roughly an hour ago I went to the loo urgently (TMI) then lay down in bed and started to feel pain in lower back. Now every 3 minutes I'm having a pain that moves through my lower back to lower abdomen. I haven't called triage yet but took a shower and feel a bit peckish and like it would be a good idea to have some toast or something to fuel me up. Desperate to last another day as I got my husband an art class as a birthday present and he's been excited about it, and it starts tomorrow morning :( We knew when I got it the risk -- my due date being 29th September, but I thought what would be the chances of going into labour then –– we have to live. I hope I make it through the night and that he manages to make it to the art class. It wouldn't be a long taxi from there to the hospital... When should I call triage and when should I go in? Confusing advice online as my contractions are quite frequent but not so severe I can't talk or move through them.

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Original poster
esgill · 28/09/2023 03:16

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto that's our due date and I did think about the full moon <3

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CostaDelPatio · 28/09/2023 03:21

I couldn’t read and run, so excited for you 😊

Lizzieregina · 28/09/2023 03:22

How exciting!!

Sounds like you might be underway. I hope you have a speedy (but not too speedy!) delivery.

Your experience already sounds vastly different from mine so I won’t bother sharing!

CostaDelPatio · 28/09/2023 03:22

Oh and to answer your question, give them a ring now and see what they say

Original poster
esgill · 28/09/2023 03:37

@Lizzieregina @CostaDelPatio thank you! I'm nervous about how painful it could be but sort of relieved to know what the sensation is like now. I called triage and they said to wait until the pain becomes so severe it's hard to talk through. Think I'm going to do some aimless browsing and then have a very early breakfast and if things do kick off in a few hours, I'll wake up my husband.

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CostaDelPatio · 28/09/2023 03:40

Definitely rest and eat, you’ll need your energy. I ate throughout my labour with DS2 and when it looked like an EMCS they gave me some acid drink to stop me being sick under GA. But definitely enjoy eating

NeedingAGoodNap · 28/09/2023 03:48

I wouldn’t get too excited yet! I was eagerly awaiting and then my due date came and went. I ended up naturally going into labour right on 42 weeks (but still had an induction cause contractions were 4 mins apart but I was not dilating).

I missed my early signs because I thought they were just practice contractions

Original poster
esgill · 28/09/2023 04:17

@CostaDelPatio had a mini breakfast just now. I'll lie on the sofa for a bit to avoid waking up my husband then might have another one lol. So far it's sore but manageable pain. I took a paracetamol to take off the edge off the more intense ones.

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CostaDelPatio · 28/09/2023 04:19

I know it sounds hard but just mix up resting with moving around. Remember gravity is your friend and the more pressure LO puts on your cervix the better. Conversely do you know what you’re having?

Original poster
esgill · 28/09/2023 04:23

@CostaDelPatio I had a walk after dinner which I think brought things on! I did lots of movement while in the shower just an hour or so ago. It does ease the pain a little. So tired now though, hope to make an hour or two of sleep before things kick off...

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fearfuloffluff · 28/09/2023 04:51

Good luck.

My first one took 1.5 days from where you are now, so rest and be patient! Don't be tempted to go in to hospital before contractions are strong and close together - home is more comfortable :)