I know I'm being hormonal but please can someone tell me it's not going to be like last time <<handholding required>>

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

I'm 39+3 today and really want to deliver this baby naturally - had failed induction and em cs at 40+15 with DS (apparently his head wasn't positioned correctly), and then a termination at 20 weeks which involved enormous doses of mefipristone to bring on labour.

Tried to explain to my consultant that I felt very unconfident about my body's ability to go into labour naturally, given my two previous labours. His response was 'Well some women just don't, that's why we're here' Well thanks for the reassurance.

Am increasingly sick of all the comments and questions every time I go out 'aren't you big!' 'any twinges yet?' 'has it dropped, still looks very high to me' 'any news?' and am increasingly at risk of snarling 'Feck Off!' at anyone who makes another inane comment.

Am petrified it's going to be like last time and I'm going to sit and sit and sit and sit and get more and more cross and upset and hormonal and then have to go for an elective cs at 40+12 (not having another induction no way!).

Maybe I just don't 'do' labour? I feel broken.

Someone tell me it's all going to be ok, I've spent most of today crying about it.

(p.s. please don't tell me to get a doula/independent midwife/read books etc - it's all very helpful advice and I know it would be kindly meant but I've read EVERYTHING and made my birth choices.....I just want the chance to get ON with it naturally and need to let off steam )

Sorry for rant.

Thank you! Yes, librarians suddenly acquire much more power after you have children, don't you? They know where the really good DVDs are, and can turn you away from toddler story time on a whim. Dangerous people....

Getting the odd strong braxton hicks still, but nothing regular as yet. Feels like the baby has dropped further though, really uncomfortable to walk or do anything except sit on the ball. Fingers crossed!

DP is putting DS to bed.....silence is golden...

Oh births vary so much they really do.

DS1- induced early. ds2- came a week early, 40 + hour labour (quite nice and relaxed though). ds3 4 hour labour, ds4 35 blinkin painful minutes.

And if you're inclined to tell nosy sods to feck off, you'll get mroe leeway at this stage than ever agaiin

So yesterday everything was looking quite exciting - lots of very strong braxton hicks, lots of back pain and pain low down in the bump as well.

Then woke up today and zip, nada, feel normal (well, for a very fat lady ) again.

I feel like every time it's looking exciting, which is always in the evening, I go and ruin it all by going to bed and everything stops. But I can't really stay up all night to try and make it happen!

Is there such a thing as sleeping too much to start labour? Have been having a nap every day, maybe I should go for a run instead.....

LOL "sleeping too much to start labour"

Labour with DS3 started at 5am after good night's sleep - so, no, sleep will NOT stop labour.

Keep us posted! xx

Late to this thread - just wanted to wish you all the best.

Thank you! Feel rotten today, like I'm coming down with a cold but not sure it's anything to write home about, probably just an actual boring cold. Still getting some BHs and backache, feel sick and rather less constipated than I was.....TMI sorry!

The baby's head feels VERY low now, surely it'll just fall out if it carries on like this?

Also woke up at 5am and burst into tears again, poor DP got woken up first by a toddler climbing in with us and then by a wailing girlfriend - the man has the patience of a saint....

DP is going out tonight for a business dinner but has PROMISED no more than two small glasses of wine, so that he can drive if need be. I know nothing will probably happen, but really need to know he's there if I need him.

Will keep you all posted - MN really is lovely

Maybe you need to ensure DP is totally pissed, you are wearing your greyest most saggy underpants, you have no childcare for toddler organised, you have expensive tickets to an event - and I garantee you, you will instantly go into labour !

Still wishing you luck!!

That's true!

Embarrassing pants - tick. DP probably had three glasses of wine because he can't help being a twonk - tick. Childcare for toddler - well mum is on standby and just called, so that's probably counting against me.

But DP has promised to take me to the cinema tomorrow, so maybe that will count?

And I am meant to go to a friend's hen night on Saturday, too.