What has happened to my contractions - advice for first timer!

[littleduck]

Hi everyone

Today is my due date, was very wide awake late last night and started having some pains at around 1 this morning which got stronger as time went on, felt somehow different to the numerous twinges I have had in the past couple of weeks. Definite beginning, pain peaking in the middle and then fading away at the end so it seems like they must have been contractions.

Went to sleep around 2am but woken up at 4.30 with quite painful contractions, around 30 secs each and about 5-10 mins apart. Contractions continued and by time DP's alarm went off at 6.45 I had been awake for just over 2 hours and contractions were between 4 and 7 mins apart and lasting between 30 secs and 1 minute. Very painful and had to concentrate and breathe through them, couldn't talk. Contractions slowed down a bit but continued until maybe 8.30 when I started to feel very sleepy so thought I would put head down and doze even if only for a few minutes. Woke up again around 9.15 having had no pain, had shower and washed and dried hair, only one or two contractions since waking - had one a few minutes ago but that's the first for ages.

What to do to get them back again? Is it usual for this to happen? I have had a tiny bit of brownish discharge but no proper show, think waters still intact. Haven't called hospital as thought labour would take ages as this is my first baby.

Any advice/thoughts?

Labour can, sometimes, be a bit stop-start. I would not worry too much, try to get as much rest as you can whilst you can. Eat some good food and take a walk if you feel up to it. I know my mother walked round and round her front room for ages to keep cotractions going as they only seemed to happen when she was moving. Once labour is properly established you will not have to worry about moving and just do what makes you comfortable. Good luck

TBH this is very common for first babies. I hate to tell you this but with DS1 I had exactly what you describe at 38.5 weeks - but he wasn't born until 43 weeks! I saw the MW the next day and she said it was either the baby engaging even further into the pelvis or 'irritable uterus' (irritable mum to be more like).

So if I were you I would try and REST as much as possible and not do anything to try and encourage things at this stage. If you are going into labour then it will happen soon, but if you aren't then no amount of nipple twiddling etc will make a difference but it will tire you out for the real thing. If you were overdue then it would be different but as yet you are only just 'due'. So put your feet up for a few more hours or days until labour proper arrives.

That's my advice anyway, feel free to disregard. Best of luck

I can echo everyone else - it's not unusual at all to have labour that increases in intensity and then drops off and goes in waves like that (sometimes for days). The things that made mine stop were it being daytime, being around my toddler (obviously not an issue for you ) and worrying. Night time, relaxing and very gentle walking or bouncing on the birthing ball would get it going again.

If I were you I would try to relax and rest and make sure you drink enough and eat regular small meals (with carbohydrate - like bakes potato, pasta etc.). Basically, do everything that you would do if you were going to run a marathon tomorrow, as it will also get you into a good position if you have a long labour.

Good luck

baked potato, obviously

Thanks for all your advice - little update for you!

Ctx stopped around 8 am yesterday then had odd one or two during day and then twinges in evening. Just same as yesterday ctx kicked off with a vengeance at around 1.30 this morning and got very strong and painful around 10 mins apart. Went to loo around 3.45 and found fresh red blood on knickers, slightly mucousy. Thought best to call delivery suite who suggested coming in for check.

Lovely midwife checked me over - baby fine and lying ROA, bp a bit high to start with, cervix quite thin and I was 1-2cm dilated although from pain and noises she had suspected initially I was further along than that. Ctx continued at hospital and on way home but have now stopped again although feeling very uncomfortable and sore

Am wondering how long this is going to go on for - thought of a third night in pain and then no progression is making me feel rather miserable

Again any thoughts or benefit of anyone's experience greatly appreciated!

First thoughts are I never got a show and my waters had to be broken for me! So don´t depend on this as a sign!

I had contractions on and off for a couple of weeks with DD2, was 4cm dilated more than a week before she was born!

I finally went into hospital a day after due date and she was born pretty much immediately!

My gut feeling is you should go in for a check! I f nothing else you will no how dilated you are now and that helps to feel things are moving on well. Good luck!

cervix thin, slightly dilated - this is good! it's starting to happen, even if not as fast as you (or i if it were me) would like.

i had contractions on and off for a week with ds. was slightly unimpressed about the pain and no gain bit, but later found out it was my cervix thinning etc.

try to get rest during the day as much as you can. take it easy and sit/lie down if you can't sleep during the day.

I had a very different experience to you, but it might cheer you up to hear that amongst my friends those who had this sort of stopping and starting in early labour tended to have quick deliveries once they got into labour proper.

Just rest and eat if you can.

Maybe little duck is already on her way to hospital..?!