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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Possible MN labour thread

206 replies

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:13

Not sure if this is it, if I disappear I'm either having a baby, or tucked up in bed fast asleep, all contractions having stopped.
Have been told that with my second baby I should be going in when the contractions are 10 minutes apart - is that really true?! 20 min drive to hospital, but obviously it definitely won't be more than that at this time.

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mears · 17/09/2009 23:14

Why 10 minutes apart. I wou;ld have said 5. Did you have a quick labour last time?

And contractions should stop you in your tracks.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:17

someone was saying that was what was written in their maternity notes. My mum also seemed to think that was reasonable, though I don't think she'd claim any expert knowledge. 5 sounds more reasonable - some are 10 minutes apart at the moment but not consistently anyway. They're not stopping me in my tracks, when I have a bad one I do have to concentrate but I remember they got a lot worse last time. Might just go to bed and see what happens - if I can sleep they;re not that bad, if not well I'll end up back on here

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:18

I've also had a bit of a stomach ache this evening and get the odd twinge in between contractions - is that all normal?

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needanothername · 17/09/2009 23:19

sounds it
keep us posted

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:19

Sorry, to answer your question, I had contractions from the Wednesday night until the Friday morning, Friday morning they got really bad, DH came back from work at lunchtime, hospital at 3 and DS was born at 5.30pm.

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mears · 17/09/2009 23:21

Before phoning the hospital, try soaking in the bath and see what happens with the contractions. If they ease off then you are not in established labour. If they are getting sore try 2 paracetamol. I find that the combination of bath and paracetamol is a good test.

Bed is definitely a good idea. Try and ignore what is happening just now and get some rest. Fingers crossed this is it for you

mears · 17/09/2009 23:23

Yes, odd twinges are normal. Sounds as though you coped really well at home last time and went in when you needed to. You'll know when to go this time too.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:24

Thanks really can't stand baths, can I just have paracetamol and bed?

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:26

Forgot to mention I went in at 1am on Friday too last time and got sent home, told it could be days yet

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mears · 17/09/2009 23:28

You could but I really think that lying in the bath makes the difference when women phone in thinking they are in labour. The bath either settles things down or helps it along. If you contractions ease off you can jump into bed knowing it isn't time yet.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:30

go on then, will have my first ever bath in this house! (we moved in in 2007!)

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mears · 17/09/2009 23:32

Good girl. Will look in on this thread tomorrow. Good luck.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 23:33

Thanks mears, good night

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LeninGrad · 17/09/2009 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

needahand · 17/09/2009 23:42

good luck

foxytocin · 17/09/2009 23:45

enjoy the water.

juneybean · 17/09/2009 23:53

Eeee good luck!!

Hope to see new little one at next meet up!

Deeeja · 18/09/2009 00:33

Good luck!

Jacksmama · 18/09/2009 00:34

Are you still up? Anything happening?

BecauseImWorthIt · 18/09/2009 00:35

Good luck!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 18/09/2009 05:24

Morning! Well I'm still huge, but managed to sleep until the last few woke me up. They seem to be getting worse so I'm hopeful that things are happening, just slowly (I think the bath did slow things down so was worth it, even if I did feel like a hippo getting out).
At this rate we'll be hitting the rush hour traffic!

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 18/09/2009 05:32

OK just drank some water and brought it all back up - I seem to remember that being quite late on last time. I assume that means I probably shouldn't eat?!

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artichokes · 18/09/2009 06:43

Suck sweets for sugar and energy if you can. My second labour started with bearable contractions seven mins apart and over 14 hours they slowly got more intense but not closer together. Then suddenly they became unbearably intense (but still 7 mins apart), that is when I went to hospital. It took six hours from then. Good luck!

oopsacoconut · 18/09/2009 06:44

I would eat a little, you are going to need your energy later by the sounds of it.

oopsacoconut · 18/09/2009 06:46

forgast to say, Good Luck!