Possible MN labour thread

[StealthPolarBear]

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.

Try and sip some more water or even better juice.

Good luck, very excited for you.

thanks everyone
things seem to have tailed off again, might go and get some more sleep

Oh and don't leave it too long, I had a really long (36hr) labour with ds, with strong regular contractions all the way through, with dd they were uncomfortable but not painful and quite irregular right up until transition.

If my waters hadn't have broken I wouldn't even have been in hospital.

oh great so how will I know??
I was similar last time, only went in because my waters broke (although looking back the contractions were bad!), but surely I can't count on that. My 'unplanned' HB is looking more likely

Don't worry about the tailing off. Mine stopped entirely for an hour after keeping me awake all night. I was furious and sent DH to work. An hour later I was screaming down the phone for his return!

If your waters went early last time was your first baby op? Is this one do you know?

I only ask because it is the most common reason for waters breaking before established labour, but it usually means you have a long pushing stage. so it gives you a bit more time.

thanks - makes me feel better that we've decided DH isn't going to work (made that mistake last time too although it was a lot longer than an hour!)

Sorry WTWTW, don't really understand! (labour brain )
Waters went at 3pm last time, and we went straight to hospital. I was in established labour and DS was born at 5.30. Yes, it was my first.
So do you mean that by the time my waters go this time I'll probably be quite far along?

well contractions stopped for an hour again and have just had another one. I really hope artichokes is right!

@ labour brain, pg brain is excuse enough. I was wondering if your first baby was back to back/spine to spine (op) as this is often the reason for waters going early, not really important and I'm sure he wasn't as you would probably know what op meant.

Sorry babbling, I am waiting for my bf to go into labour as I am going to be her birth assistant for the 3rd time so I am a bit excited about all things labour atm.

Anyway another cx is one in the right direction, are keeping mobile? It's really hard to know that to do when labour is like this, rest or try to move it along.

I hope I am right too. The stopping seemed so unfair. Try watching music videos and bouncing along to the music on a ball - that's what got me going (& suited my v short attention span at the time).

ah sorry I should have known that. No, not back to back, and indications are that this one isn't either. I don't think the waters went particularly early though - probably about 7cm?
Good luck to your bf - hope it happens soon!

SPB - glad the bath test worked for you. You can do it again remember!
All these contractions will be working to soften the cervix ready for it to dilate so they aren't wasted. Keep eating light snacks if you can. When your contractions are like clock work and taking your breath away, that is the time to go in. You'll be fine.

bump with this:Contractions are 5 mins at the moment, but that's only been since 2pm so I think I need to wait a bit longer.
How bad are they going to get? At the moment I need to walk round and shout ow when I'm having one but they're not unbearable. Was I just more of a wuss last time or do I have loads further to go?

but I see mears has already kind of answered it. Still not sure.

hiya SPB, with my second contractions werent very painfully, regular or even lasting that long. had first pain at 7.30pm husband made me go to hospital at 8pm we arrived at 8.30pm and ds2 was born at 8.53pm! i was sure they would send me home again and say i wasnt in proper labour! they think i might have only bee feeling the peak of the contraction rather than the whole thing. good job i listened to DH. how are things now??

oh ou posted when i did, ds1 i needed gas and air and pethadine but with ds2 nothing, didnt find it half as painful. i know this prob isnt helping cause everyone is different. go in when u feel like you should, how long are contractions lasting???

I wouldn't leave it much longer tbh, you may be having your own stealth labour.

Don't want to get you too excited if they tail off again, but once mine were getting like that with dd it really was very quick, and like I said before not really painful at all.

Your body has done it all before remember and somethimes it does it very quickly the second time.

If you are near the hospital it might be worth popping in to see how dilated you are, you can always come back again.....

hmm
think I'll call at 3, see what they say. Would love to think they don't get much worse!

Oh Stealth you sneaky thing! How exciting!!!

Sending you lots of easy labour vibes!!

Good luck, I hope this is it for you and it's as fast as last time. Ooohhh, I love a good birth story.

I didn't say they didn't get worse, I said it was fast after that.

Did you phone? What gives?

spb: When you can't type on MN anymore, even in the breaks, it is a good indication that you should be gearing up to go in.

Good luck.

Try breathing out VERY slowly with the next contraction, then breathing in very slowly (try to get to 24 in a fast count) and then out again very slowly and concentrate on the breath. Practise now for later.

Well fast and G&A will do
Yes I phoned to say my contractions were getting stronger and closer together and that I was starting to feel a bit shaky and sick.
She said it didn't sound like I needed to come in yet, and I'd know when things were progressing as either my waters would break or my contractions would get longer, stronger and closer together. may I refer you to my first statement??
Said she didn't want to say I couldn't come in but the implication was it's not worth bothering. She also said it was busy at the moment so I might not get to use the birthing centre

Hmmm that's not very helpful is it? How are you feeling right now? Still shaky and sick?