What were you doing when you went into labour?

[bunjies]

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and am curious to know what others were doing when they realised they were in labour and what time they gave birth. With my 1st I had a planned induction at 37 weeks as my waters started leaking a few days earlier but I hadn't had any real contractions so I was in hospital when I went into labour and ds was born at 4.20am. With my second, again my waters started leaking early at 37.5 weeks and was told I would have to be induced if labour didn't start naturally within a couple of days. However, I decided to take some castor oil (as I was going to be induced anyway) and my waters broke properly after an afternoon nap at 3.30pm. So I was in bed when it all started and dd was born at 12.30am. This time round I have managed to get past 38 weeks without leaking but I'm starting to wonder when things will kick off and what am I likely to be doing when it does! I would be very interested to hear others experiences and to know whether babies are more likely to be born during the night than during the day or if this is just my own experience.

I had been cleaning like a mad woman all day with cramps, walked the dog at 4.
When i realised that this was actually labour i was doubled over on the floor and told dp he'd better ring the hospital.

I'm 38 weeks now too.....can't wait, (just ate half a pineapple)

I was in hospital with dd, my waters went just after I had been given a nice strong sleeping tablet after 3 nights awake with early labour
With ds I went into labour about 1am on my daughter's 2nd birthday. Come breakfast time we were opening birthday presents with me gritting my teeth with each contraction! ds came at lunchtime, and I was back home in time for birthday tea!

even though i was induced in hospital me and dp were playing battleships!! i won every game!!!

Dd1, I was 10 days overdue and my waters broke at 3am Sunday morning, went to hospital where they said I was 3 nearly 4cms and they would keep me in. Dd1 finally born 00.02 so just made it into Monday morning. She'd turned and got stuck which was why it all took so long and was a forceps delivery in the end.

Dd2 1 week overdue, woke up at 4.30am with a pain and thought oh that's interesting, went to the toilet. Timed pains on and off until dd1 got up for school at 7am and told Dh that this was the day. Went to hospital at 10.30am and dd2 was born at 5.28pm. Waters broke about half an hour before she was born I think, it was practically at the end anyway.

dd - went to toilet around lunchtime and mucous plug all came out (sorry if tmi!). Phoned dh to tell him think it was all starting, but not to hurry home. He took me at my word and went out for a few drinks with his work mates!! Good job she didn't arrive until next day.

ds - watching Coronation Street. Strangely, now if he hears the music his head swivels round and he listens intently. Co-incidence?? (or I watch Corrie far too often)

Sleeping. Thought it might be time when had migraine over dinner that evening (had migraines for first trimester and not since, so guessed hormones were changing). Woke up at about 3.30am with contractions already 4 mins apart, DD born 7.40am. Fortunately we had gone to the hospital, despite midwives on phone telling us not to as first baby would be hours yet!

first time around I was watching fireworks from the bedroom window

second time round I was sat in the next door neighbours house and my waters broke

third time around I had just put some washing in the tumbler and just as I switched the kettle on my waters went with a HUGE gush....ds1 asked 'mummy...have you wet yourself??' to which I said 'no darling...the babys going to come out today' He just grinned and got really really excited!!

Sleeping then had to go the loo, and there I sat til I went into hospital!

I was just about to go to bed when I started getting contractions and back pain, got up and took some paracetemol and tried to go back to sleep but ended up being awake all night and eventually going into hospital at 5.30am. my waters didn't break until I got there, luckily since I took a taxi!

I woke up at 5.30am with what felt like period pain, then went for a wee and had a show. Had an appt with the midwife that morning anyway so I went and she said, yep, he's on his way, probably won't be until late tonight or tomorrow though. I didn't go to hospital until 8am the next day and he was born at 6.10pm that night, two weeks early.

Watching Eastenders... I suddenly looked at dp and went 'I'm having a pain every 3 minutes....'

ds - woken up by odd sensation in abdomen which turned out to be the first show. ds born 43 hrs later.

dd - just settling down to evening meal thinking "thank goodness we've got all those boxes unpacked after our move, now let's hope for a few days rest..." dd born 12 hrs later.

period like pains in middle of night but not v severe. eventually got up and had slight bleed so rang hospital and went in around 5.30am. dd1 born next morning around 6am by c/s.

DS1 - woke up on due date at 11am, after best nights sleep in whole 9 mths. Immediate contractions 5 mins apart. Rang my mum and then had a bath. Went into hospital at 2pm. DS born 7.39pm (ventous delivery).

DS2 - had baaaad contractions on evening of due date, 2 hrs later got to sleep. Woke next day and couldnt feel any movement. Went in for check up, sent home again. 7 days later called in for induction, but was already 4cm dilated (midwife reckoned I had been in slow labour all week). DS2 born just under 3 hrs later

I was on the labour ward at Kings...being told I WASN'T in labour

huzzah! you're here!

Aloha!

It was 9pm on a Sunday night, 1 day before my due date, and I'd just starting watching an episode of some drama series about slavery (can't remember the name) when I suddenly urgently needed the loo. After sitting there for about 20 mins with upset tum (sorry if TMI) - we'd had curry for dinner! - I realised that I was having contractions. Dd born at 2.53am that morning.

Having 'posh afternoon tea' with spinster aunt 30 miles from home and I could feel my contractions gathering strength. Dh thought it would be impolite to leave too hastily!!! Got home about 8pm, dh watched a film, then he went to bed with me still labouring. I laboured all night while dh slept soundly. Woke dh at 7am to help me. Dh then worked in his office (at home)all morning and invited his parents round for coffee and to collect ds. Dh then cooked himself some lunch before taking me to hospital. At last!!! Arrived 10cm dilated and dd born within the hour!!!!

Yes! Hooray!

how's the little peach? still feeding ok? any names??? so many questions...

Was having palstering work done,booked for a home birth and over due.After they finished I washed and cleaned about 4.30pm started to get period like pains,had a show at 17.00 sent hubby to get stocked up with food supplies for the long haul(as first baby).Contractions went from bearable to unbearable.Waters went at 6pm with a large gush.Phoned hubby in supermarket to tell him and wanted maternity pads as I was flooding,he went into panic mode,(did not know what a maternity pad looked like so rang his mother!!)Called the midwife.Had D/s at 21.44.It was very fast and furious.Had a little gas and air.So hopefully whenever we decide on no2 it will happen as fast!

With ds1 (5 yrs) I was asleep and woken at 3am and in the bath by 3.15 he wasn't born till the following morning at 6.48a.m. pretty easy labour up untill about 24hours the last 3 or 4 were hell at the hospital. Ds2 now 11months I had just gone to Woolworths with ds1 and bought him lion King 2 on DVD got home had a susage roll and began watching the DVD with him when it started.Called my sister round to wait with me till dh got back from work and I managed to watch the whole film and eat a Big Mac and Chips! and ds2 was born about 6 hours after that.

On the Friday evening I had friends round for dinner and was having regular BH every 10 minutes (or was it contractions, who knows?). After the friends went I hurried around tidying. As i got the hoover out DH looked at me and said 'please sit down and try to rest' However, I actually shouted back, 'BUT I HAVE TO TIDY...' (I have never needed to tidy in my life). Next morning I woke up at 7am in labour... after staying at home as long as we could and nearly having him in the car on the way to hospital, I arrived at hospital 10cm dilated and he was born at 5.46pm Saturday night, just in time for dinner!

I had been out for my first anniversary meal and the waitor jinxed us by offering hot water and towels!(I was only 35 weeks at the time).Thought back was sore as chair uncomfy.At 1.30am on our anniversry my waters broke with avengance and off we headed.Iwas induced as babies heart rate up and 5 hours later,after a very quick labour Brodie shot out like a torpedo.No problems with delvery but retained placenta and had to go to theatre have a spinal!!