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.

DD1 elective section for placenta praevia. Had already been in hospital for 2 months by this time and had known when she'd be born for about a month (barring emergencies). Bizarre! Got up, had a shower, walked to delivery suite, had spinal, nearly p-ed myself laughing at dh (who is on the large side) in theatre gown at least 6 sizes too small!), went into theatre and she was born about 10 mins later. Fab!

With DD2, the day before she was born I did the following:

• took DD1 (then 22 months) swimming
• went home and tidied up, did some washing, etc.
• finished marking some essays while DD1 had a rest
• went into work - with DD1 - to take back the essays (had been on maternity leave for a week, but was still catching up with the backlog!)
• went to visit a friend and had coffee
• went home and fed DD1 and got her ready for bed
• went out for a Thai meal (including hot curry and fresh pineapple) with dh. Dear friend came to babysit. We got home at 10 pm and I went straight to bed. Woke up at midnight and my waters were going, but slowly, so I wasn't really sure what was happening for a while. Also had dodgy tummy caused by curry/pineapple! Sat in bath for a while, sent a few emails (now about 2 am), then woke dh and got him to put TENS machine on. At about 5 am decided that this probably was labour and rang hospital. Had to call same friend who had babysat for us that night and get her to come back to look after DD1 (no family nearby and wasn't really expecting to go into labour yet - only 37 weeks). Went to hospital at c. 6.00, was fully dilated by 8.00 and DD2 was born just before 10.00. VBAC. Only a few puffs of gas and air.

Both experiences were wonderful. I'd happily do it all over again... either method!

DD1 waters broke at around midnight had her the following day at 9.24pm on due date

DD2 waters broke watching Holby City at 8.30pm had her 5.50am have been reminded every Tuesday pm after when sitting down to watch HC!

At a very small Plumbers Merchant in Tottenham, surrounded by builders!!!

happily sleeping! having decided I was too full for pudding earlier on in the evening! (a very rare occurance!) Woke up with the urge for a number 2, then decided as the accompanying cramps hadn't gone away, this must be it!

OK I didn't 'go into labour' with either of mine - waters broke and sod all else happened (had CS with DS1 and was induced for DS2).

BUT I still remember distinctly what was happening with each of them

DS1 - Half way through watching the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, The teams were already walking in and I was really looking forward to seeing the Zimbabwean team entering (last as usual LOL). So was flitting between my parents bedroom (we were living with them and they had the computer in there) and our bedroom.

Felt 'odd' and thought I needed the loo - start to go downstairs (downstairs bathroom) and felt and odd 'sensation' next thing I know I could feel 'liquid' running down my legs. By the time I had reached the bathroom was like the Niagra Falls - never did get to see the Zimbabwena team as I was still sat on the loo (you just don't believe how much 'waters' you have until they gush everywhere)!

DS2 - just on my way into church (I'm the organist) was walking up the steps into the church grounds and felt a 'trickle' couldn't figure out whether it was 'waters' or whether I was in the process of wetting myself . Decided to go to the toilet (other end of the church) and on the way became more convinced that it was my waters..........used half a roll of toilet paper to pad my knickers, informed DH to 'try' and get hold of substitue organist 'in case' things suddenly rushed off and went to play the organ.........was HORRIBLE - every time I moved I 'leaked' and was having really strong Braxton Hicks all the way through the service, was terrified I was going to go into labour while playing the organ! - ended up having him on the Thursday after that after being induced.

my labour took a very very long time, pre labour was in pizza express up to 4cm, pleased i had the chocolate cake now

had been sent home after 7 failed inductions, then 3 days later was watching University Challenge and trying to pretend I could answer the questions when DS decided he was cooked. 32 hours later he was born! I still can't answer the questions.

Good luck bunjies - my dds was born at 38 weeks in a hurry! We were having a chinese takeaway when dh thought my 'practice' contractions were more like the real thing at 2 mins apart. Went to hospital with me still not believing it. Anyhow had dds that evening!!

I have an interesting story about the time thing bunjies. My ds like yours was born at 4.20am and my dd was born at 4.21am! In fact my dh and midwife were urging me to push harder to try and get her out at exactly the same time!

Just a total coincidence though. As for what I was doing with ds my waters broke at 3.15am the previous night when I was asleep. dd was induced so I was in hospital when labour started and it was quicker than first time round.

Am currently pg with my 3rd and wondering if I can have this one at 4.22am!

Good luck with your baby.