Another question for speedy speedy birthers

[bluebread]

I was due yesterday was no.3. Previous labours both v straightforward 6 hours with minimal pushing. Have been having strong uncomfortable braxton hix etc for weeks but m/w who examined me on Tues said cervix is not yet doing much. She said the baby's not quite in the right position but once it slips into place everything should be quite quick.

Question is this: am I mad to go on family outing a good hour's drive from home (am having hb by the way, my second)? My instinct is to carry on as normal until I can't - then I'll know I'm really in labour! But if, as is possible, I suddenly find myself in well-established labour from a standing start, will everyone say 'told you so'?

i am a speedy birther and its a good job i didnt go that far from home with my third, who is now 6 weeks. I was in full labour straight away and pushed for 9 minutes.

i was about 4 hours from first thing to actual baby. i wouldn't!

Yes, you're mad. Don't do it. It is FRIDAY now, btw, not Tuesday - the cervix not doing "much" on Tuesday implies to me that it was doing something. And it's half-term which means far more tractors out on the roads causing tailbacks .

Dont do it!!!

My #5 was 40 minutes, there was no way i could have gone far from home. As it was i crawled in the front door as i had been at the hospital (with ds#3) to meet the midwife and had the baby 20 minutes later.

Oh no. These are all the WRONG answer. Hassled, I feel no different today from Tuesday - same old niggles, same old waking in the night with a few big ones thinking 'is this it?' then going back to sleep again. I thought you would all say 'carry on as normal' - would you really recommend staying at home for the next two weeks if I go that far?

I think I know the answer already, but looking back did any of you have any different symptoms just before things kicked off - apart from the usual twinges etc? And with my previous record of 6 hours each time, am I really a member of the speedy birthers club?

Have I silenced you all by sounding ungrateful? I'm really not, I'm just in a big dilemma and needing to be persuaded. Part of me knows you lot are right, but part of me is deeply bored with the whole 'have you had it yet?' scene, and fearful that I will go long overdue and therefore being over-cautious not to stray too far for the next however long. Does that make sense? I know no one can ultimately decide for me, but your help in thinking it through is really appreciated.

Blue my one before the 40mins was about 6 hours, slow build up but quick pushing.

I had no idea and was 14 days late.

I wouldnt. I niggled and niggled with DS (1.5 hour actual labour) and it was because he was in a pooor position - kind of sideways in me. Once he twisted round did I know about it!

45 minutes later I was ready to push...

SAying that if you really want baby out go somewhere really remote without enough petrol or a mobile lol.

Amy, that's how my baby is at the moment. Head down on the LH side, but I can feel the bum high up on the right - so s/he is kind of diagonal across me I think. Did you do anything to help get him in the right position? I've been walking a lot and bouncing on my birth ball etc but to no avail.

Bluebread, only you know your own body! I have to say that although my births are quick (last being just under and hour), they have all arrived at 'appropriate' times. DD3 was attempting to exit from 36 weeks and was engaged throughout this period. I kept nearly slipping into labour (it was an extremely stressful period in my life) but we managed to hold on until her EDD.

Positive thought, relaxation, etc. But nothing is guaranteed! Personally, despite a feeling we could hold on, I didn't stray more than an hour from home, just in case (I also homebirth).

Thanks catharsis. I know what you mean about the body waiting for an 'appropriate' time. clearly that's not the case for everyone, but I do know that the fear of going into labour in the 'wrong' place or at the 'wrong' time does inhibit women, and that we tend to go into labour in a place where we feel safe and relaxed. My instinct (tho' I'm willing to accept that it is misguided) is to keep busy and active. The trip today is actually taking the children to camp with friends overnight, dropping them off and coming home. The ideal scenario would be to come home tonight knowing the children are taken care of, and have the baby then. Here's hoping!

Oooh, visualise! Have faith in your instincts, I've no doubt it will be that way if it's meant to Good luck.

MW said to spend lots of time on all fours and to lie on whatever side which would tip the baby around if that makes sense. None of it worked though - he was very comfy!

see, i'd say do it

ds4 was really quick- 90 minutes every single bit, from first niggle- but he was late and sitting around waiting drove me nuts

take notes and your emergency bag jic

I would go, but I'm crazy that way. I was about 6 hours start to finish with number 1 and number 2 I think was about 4 hours from start to finish.

I would risk it and call it all an adventure, Take your notes just in case though.

those niggles will be doing something to your cervix.

If i had gone anywhere other than home when i had ds2 he would have been bornin the car!

DS1- 3 hours start to finish
DS2 - 1 hour start to finish - 20 mins after we arrived at hosp!
DS3 - 5 hours start to finish and only took that long because i was lay flat for ages on monitors, the second i stood up he could descend properly and he was born 5 mins later!

Also, all my children have been born as my waters broke, DS3 was nearly born in the bag!!

Thanks for all your helpful replies. Am actually having some quite serious - but irregular - 'niggles' and generally feel uncomfortable so have decided not to go. BlueDragonfly, you have encouraged me by saying that the niggles are not pointless! Like you my waters don't break till delivery, and my dd emerged with her head in the intact sac - really freaked by dh out!

I had loads of these feelings for a week before Jaz arrived. I woke in labour, lucky for me i was in the hospital already, as she was here within 48 mins! I live 10 mins from the hospital and my mum (childcare for dd1) lives 20mins away!
Hope things get moving for you soon.

Just to update you - the niggles I was having on Friday afternoon turned into labour proper and Flora was born (after another 6 hour labour - not so speedy then) at 4.30am Saturday morning. I think a car journey could have speeded things up tho', so those of you who told me not to go - you were right in the end! Thanks again for all your advice.

Congratulations on the arrival of Flora

congrats!!

Congratulations!!

congratulaitons Flora is a gorgeous name

congratulations