Please cheer me up - is this the longest pre-labour ever?!!

[basilbrush]

Ladies, hello

Am 39 weeks with DC2 and going round the twist. Have been having pretty much constant sorerish Braxton Hicks for two whole weeks now. At night (usually about 3am) they get longer and more intense like a proper contraction (was in established labour for 17 hours with DS so do know what to look out for )for a couple of hours and then tail off again.

The head is so well engaged that it's pressing painfully on some nerves in my inner thighs and I can barely waddle, let alone walk.

Midwife examined me a couple of days ago and said she could feel head, cervix was really soft and 2cm dilated.

I have had two membrane sweeps (3rd tomorrow) two reflexology sessions, have rubbed clary sage into bump and been taking raspberry leaf tablets. Oh and had nookie

The reason I'm so frustrated is that I am very keen to VBAC but consultant doesn't want me to go more than 40+ 3 or 4 days due to medical bistory. Obviously they can't just induce me cos of scar rupture etc. So I feel like time is running out already....

If my cervix was solid as a rock still or I hadn't had a twinge yet, that would be one thing but this baby does seem to be thinking about arriving don't you think??

Advice, encouragement, cyber bowl of Ready Brek (had uncontrollable urge for some this morning at 4am)all very welcome

Thank you! BB xx

I had three days of contractions before I delivered my ninth, I couldn't get any sleep. When I did go into established labour it was v. quick, just two hours. So it wasn't for nothing1

Just wanted to drop by with a further

Not long now Basil! You are doing great, have faith in your body's preparations. I know it's frustrating but everything you feel really is caused by something positive happening.

I do sympathise! I had strong, painful BHs for three weeks(!)before DS arrived. Several times I thought it was the real thing, only to be disappointed.

So much so that I didn't realise I had gone into labour when it happened until my waters broke. DS arrived 2h10 later. At least you know all these contractions are doing something and hopefully you'll have a lovely quick labour.

Hope it all happens for you soon.

Woh all these quick labour stories are scaring DH - our hospital is 25 miles away!!

yes, after 19 days, labour was only 4 hours, all three stages!

Hi, This time 4 weeks ago I was completely fed up with pre-labour! Like you, contractions were intense at night time then tailed off totally in the day time. Once labour eventually got going it was nice and speedy. Intense contractions started at 10pm, waters went 10.20pm DS born 1.30am. Relax as much as possible now, that's what finally seemed to get things going for me. And breathe as deeply as poss through the contractions you do get, apparently this makes them more effective and speeds labour up... I thought I'd never go into labour.

You could try evening primrose oil - worked for me to soften the cervix.

I found out about it from someone here with a link to website, but cant remember link now - whoops sorry!

Clary sage & lavender - I bathed in it every night a week before my due date.

I had a 1 hour labour start to finish with my DS2 so I swear by it...

Good luck!

basilbrush has gone quiet...

basil and her bump still here

braxtons are getting stronger and more frequent but still not painful enough to be be real contractions except for 2-3 hours in the middle of the night, then they tailed off again...

I wonder how long I can go on like this...DH keeps reminding me that my EDD isn't till this Tues but on Wed I have consultant appointment and they'll start muttering about C sections...I REALLY don't want another one (unless it's going to save baby's life obviously!), last time I couldn't even lift my arms up for two months afterwards and the thought of trying to love and nurture a new born AND a two year old like that is freaking me out

I will keep hoping - positive signs are period cramps that I have permanently have reached new level of Bad, BHs are getting worse, have obscene amounts of whiteish CM ( isn't that supposed to be a good sign?) and midwife said on Tues I was 50% effaced, instead of partially effaced

And DH bought me a box of Ready Break

keep going Basil, do you have a breast pump? I tried mine out as a test run (it was very complicated to put together!) went into labour the next day (2 weeks early, whereas 1st DC was 2 weeks late) I'm convinced that was it was.

hav eyou finished the ready brek and/or had a baby ?

Basil I have to know... are you still there??

We are all very excited for you....

Lots of love and luck!! This is more exciting than the nailbiting last episode of "Echo Beach"!

no sign of her anywhere on the boards...oh what news?

Rose Madeline arrived at 7.38pm Thursday 12th June, weighing 7lb exactly

For the gory details, see Birth Announcements

Thank you for your positive, encouraging posts

BB xx