Probably a very silly question...

[Holly290505]

Can you feel contractions on the outside (i.e with you hand??) or see them even??

I'm worried because I have a lack of sensation due to a previous medical problem and I'm convinced I'm not going to know whats happening til its too late. (Now 40+4)

Just getting obsessed with wanting baby out I think. Had sweep yesterday but nothing seems to be happening just very bad burning/achy feeling in lower back. No pain in bump at all. Was 2-3cm dilated yesterday.

What am I supposed to feel??? Help!

[Holly290505]

Btw will keep on the birth ball!

[Holly290505]

Hiya - thanks for that - wish i could blame a stuborn baby on maleness - we know she's a girl! Have spent all day at the hospital being monitored and there were 5min contractions this morning then nothnig this afternoon. N change in 3cm dilation all day either. Now resigned to being induced on wednesday

[likklemum]

Hi Holly.

I can sympathise with how frustrated you must be feeling. I started trying to bring labour on at 39 weeks and didnt have ds til 41 weeks. I think the baby decides when to come. I guessed, by all the messing about and false alarms (dp even drove home from working an hour and 1/2 away and that was nearly 3 days before i had ds)that my baby would be male!!! The false alarms are not only annoying, but disconcerting (how will i KNOW that its labour?! - dont worry, you will). I was also aware that every time i started getting contractions or BH's, if i layed or sat down, they would ease off.Annoying and disappointing! In the end, i stayed standing and they didnt ease off.

Also, try using a gym ball. I refused to jump on top of an adult space-hopper until the mw made me at hospital and it really made my ds 'drop' and sped up my contractions, dilation etc.
GOOD LUCK!

[Holly290505]

Thanks Rachey. Fingers crossed something happenes soon cos although I really don't want to be induced the temptation of going in knowing I'll be coming out with a baby is right now more attractive than this WAITING!!

They did pick up BHs on the monitor today but I couldn't feel a thing! Will keep u posted x

[Rachey1969]

Hi Holly - sorry to hear things have slowed down, remember you don't have to be induced if you don't want to be - they can give you extra monitoring to check baby! I was induced all three times one way or another and the worst part is being stuck in hospital for the whole labour - it makes it feel even longer - all my babes were 2 weeks overdue but their placentas were all fine and functioning - I probably could have waited longer, but i know the waiting is the hardest part especially with relatives due! Congratulations on finishing your essay and I hope baby arrives soon!

[gossifer]

hello & congrats!!!! that surely is a sign, have you any desire to clean the skirting boards?

[Holly290505]

Can't cope with hot food at all unfortunately - esp not enough to stimulate any contractions through irritating bowel (I believe thats how it works??)

BTW Essay is now FINISHED!!! Nothing to stop you coming now baby

[burstingbug]

Have you tried a chilli or curry? I started to eat these around my DS's due date. Although he turned up 6 days late. I had a sweep on the friday and by sunday morning I was having contractions, 30 hrs later DS was born on the monday morning.

[Holly290505]

Still here! Fed up! Am covered in clary sage oil! Fingers crossed x Thanks for the wishes x

[gossifer]

how you doing holly? xxxxxxxxxx

[dramaqueen72]

poor you holly, i'm sure labour isnt too far off, hang in there! I'm keeping everything xcrossed for you NOT getting thro the weekend!!

[Holly290505]

Here is my list of tried and failed things [so far!]:

2 sweeps, pineapple, RL tea, long walks, sex, cumin tea(! UGH), nipple stimulation inc breast pump, hot bath, lots of staircases, driving round in Mx5 over potholes, TENS machine (on back not bump don't worry!)

Oh yes and extreme exasperation. I KNOW I should just chill out and let nature happen but am in lots of discomfort, want to avoid induction and also (insert Long story here) my entire family will turn up on Tues and would like to have baby with a little time for dp and I to get to know her alone! Arghh.

[gossifer]

ooooh holly, been thinking of you this last day, get out there and go for a big old stride tomorrow! you have plenty of time before wednesday.......good luck,

[Holly290505]

Nothing happening unfortunately. Had another sweep this morning. MW reckons only 1cm now despite obstetrician saying 2-3cm on wednesday. Confused and FED UP now TBH. Booked for induction next wed and think it probably will come to that which is really going to pee me off cos that'll be the end of my waterbirth.
Here's hoping....

[Rachey1969]

How are you this morning Holly? Are you still with us?!

[hatsoff]

oooh good luck holly, very exciting to hear about someone going into labour.

[Loobie]

How are you now holly??

[dramaqueen72]

try walking, long walks bring on labour

[Holly290505]

Lol. I hope so. I feel like I'm going mad with anticipation now.

[dramaqueen72]

I suspect youre not far from real labour, be it hours or a day away. i remember having chronic backache for a day or so before dd2 turned up!
all credit to you for finishing an essay tho!

[Holly290505]

Ahh the wonders of dictation software... just hope baby likes the sound of my voice and the topic of Child Protection Issues in Teenage Pregnancy!! LOL

[Rachey1969]

Oh, you can knock that off while you're breastfeeding... you can type one handed can't you?

[Holly290505]

3302 words done and counting!! Surprising how we women can do 2 things at once! I wonder how I'll get on with the 20,000 word dissertation I have to write after the baby arrives!

[Rachey1969]

We'll be thinking of you! Let us know how it goes

[wordsmith]

Holly, get those 1000 words done now!! You won't want to think about them after the birth (and you certainly won't have time...) Good luck!!!