IN LABOUR! Have GBS & DH is a sleep - anyone up?

[jen992]

Ok, i'm 40+11 (2nd DS)

Contractions started at around quater past midnight (it's now 2am)... very irregular. Lasting anything from 40 seconds to almost a minute, roughly every 10mins apart. Pretty bad when they come on.

Waters not gone yet.

hospital is about 20mins away at this time of night...

I have GBS though... when should i phone the hospital? I don't want to ring too soon as don't want to be told to go in too soon. Also i told DH to go back to bed so when should i wake him?

Is there anyone up at this unearthly hour to shed any light? or am i on my own??!!!

I'd offer you some virtual champagne to celebrate baby's imminent birth but you probably don't want to get to hospital tipsy! On the other hand... maybe you do!

Have a look at the AIBU threads to keep you cheerful, you're bound to find one in which you can scream "yes you are you silly moo!" and get a free laugh.

How old's your DS1? Is he excited about an impending sybling?

Probably nerves and your body wanting to get rid of anything it doesn't need.

Deep slow breaths.

ha ha! may take some of the pain away! ....

[glugs on virtual champagne]

Where's your DS1? Who's going to take care of him while you're having his little brother?

Will have a look at those threads, good idea! DS1 (Jack)is 2yr 5months and sort of understands that baby William will soon be around (well as much as a 2 yr old can understand anyway!)

Could you try eating a wee biscuit or a cracker to help the nausea? I felt sick (and was sick) a few times. Its nothing to worry about. Your body is gearing up for a major event.

If you need to laugh, here is the funniest bit of childbirth thread. I nearly came undone a few times reading it.

He is currently fast a sleep upstairs but my parents who live a 3 min car journey away will be looking after him (they don't know things have kicked off yet tho) want them to get as much sleep as they can (it's 3:30am here!) before I wake them and bombard them with info and news!!!

You mentioned your parents coming round? Do they live close by?

My baby's name is Jack too!! Jackson, actually.

Are you sitting on a towel in case your waters go?

Or perhaps three or four towels?

Parents live about 3 mins away (just round the corner). yep sat on a towel, just in case!!

That funniest thing about childbirth thread is great!!

How did you get on with your first labour? Do you have a wealth of experience to remember and share?

Isn't that thread fab, I re-read it every once in a while when I've had a crap day. I love when midwives are being cows and get sprayed with whatever bodily fluid or smacked in the head with a placenta... revenge is sweet!

I think my favourite is when the lassie shoots off the bed when being sewed up and garrots the doctor in the doorway with her legs.

Doing ok jen?

I had Jack at home (planned!). First niggles started at about 6:15am, the first midwife turned up at about 8:30am and stayed til about 5pm ish. All we did was watch TV, eat mini chocolate bars and toast and drink tea (very civilised!!). Had my TENS on then.

Then another midwife came round (shift change) and broke my waters then it all kicked off! had gas and air for about 40mins but it made me sooooo sick! sat on my birthing ball too bouncing around the living room like a loon, tryting to bounce out each contraction!

then at about 9:30pm decided i needed a poo! but once sat on the loo for 10mins decided it wasn't a poo i needed, it was infact a baby!! went into the bedroom and after 1hr 45 mins of pushing out popped Jack (or a pork joint as DH described him!). Born at 11:15pm.

I Didn't tear of anything!

So proud of myself!

Wow, you should be proud, that's a great story!!!

I always PMSL picturing a labouring woman bouncing on a birthing ball... I always want to know if anyone's ever overbalanced and gone arse over teakettle... and if it slowed things down or convinced the baby it's better get off this roller coaster ride and pop out!

Sounds like you did really well last time jen. This time is bound to be quicker once you get to the pushing stage.

Can you use your funky ball in hospital?
And for the sadly uniniated in the back of beyond: whta is a birthing ball like. I am imaging a space hopper type thingy
What does it do for you?

It's one of those big physio balls. I'll see if I can find a pic.

How are you doing jen? Hanging in there?

Here's a pic

LOL at your space hopper thingy!!
Have you been drinking in the tearoom madhouse yurt tonight???

Yes thy actually provide the balls in hospital but i will be taking my own as i'm 5ft 9 and their's will be too tiny for me!!

they're just like giant beech balls (but very strong) which you inflate, sit on and can then roll around, bounce on etc. Or you can kneel on the floor infront of it and rest your arms over it which is nice and relaxing and takes the strain off you back!

I used it loads during both pregnancies to just sit on & watch TV as it makes you sit up straight and prevents back ache!