Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

Original poster

Please tell me this is going to turn into actual labour at some point

17 replies

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 04:24

To cut a LONG story short, ended up in hospital on Sunday night with what felt like an hour and a half of full on labour - everyone thought I was in labour - the Doula, me, the midwifes etc.

They were talking about moving me to the labour ward, but decided to have the doctor examine me first and - it all stopped. I wasn't dilated, it was all for nothing.

So last night hte cramps start again, on advise of lovely doula, had a long hot bath, took some paracetamol and went to bed, have managed to get some sleep (waking up a lot but getting back to sleep), but am really stressed at the idea that this continues to do nothing rather than actually push the baby out!

The baby is 35+3 - but a very good sise and the hospital don't seem at all worried about him being premature.

Please tell me this is likely to turn into full labour soon - I can't take another 4 weeks of what feels like full labour every now and again but with nothing happening!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Biccy · 23/02/2010 04:31

Hi there. I had a 'false' labour like that exactly one week before my real labour. Everyone thought there would be a baby, was very intense... then found out wasn't dilated at all despite contractions being a minute apart for ages. And it all stopped. Very weird. But, one week later (three weeks ago) I had my beautiful boy (who is currently very awake!). Good luck. xx

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 04:36

Biccy - thanks, at least it wasn't 4 weeks later! ;-)

We have had to ask my lovely MIL to come and stay as on Sunday DS1 had to: stay with a friend for four hours, spend the night at the childminders and then spend Monday at Nursery - it was all too much for him and we can't face him going through that again, on the other hand we are very concious that MIL could come and then nothing could happen.

I am just fedup - I REALLY wanted to have this baby on Sunday night and I hate all this pain for nothing.

OP posts:

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 04:36

And congratulations on the birth of your son.

OP posts:

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 10:33

Cramps got worse again, had a bath at 7 and finally got a bit of sleep from 8 till 9.30.

Not having full cramping yet but threatens to start every time I move.

Please tell me that this could actually turn into proper labour and not just carry on like this for weeks.

OP posts:

RemyMartin · 23/02/2010 11:00

It happened to me: started on monday morn and ds born on friday morn. It was a bit of a hard week, but soon over. Good luck!

morethemerrier · 23/02/2010 11:22

Hiya bump, I had two false starts spread over a week, I was overdue though, was convinced it was all kicking off, but it came to nothing, so much so that even when I went into labour I convinced myself it was another false start!

I remember my midwife saying that it often happens, and its just on the occasion that something 'tips the balance' and you go into full labour, iyswim?!?

Try and get some rest, and keep busy but nothing that will wear you out!

Good Luck x

Biccy · 23/02/2010 11:27

Hi bumptious, hope things are progressing for you now. Just thought I'd say that when it did come to the real thing, I thought I was progressing very slowly, convinced I only contracted if I stood up (though do wonder whether that was actually my body knowing a contraction was coming and making me move, before my brain felt registered any pain). We called for a midwife (for home birth) at 3am when contractions were 5 minutes apart, and DS arrived at 4.12am - my point being that I don't think all your contracting so far has been for nothing, and there is every chance you will just 'snap open' like that as well.

Totally understand how you are feeling, it is really hard to explain how disappointing it is when you think you are about to have your baby, and for it all to stop. I was tearful for a good couple of days, not to mention shattered of course. And completely know where you're coming from re your DS - we had same thing, with dd 'farmed out' for 24 hours.

Look forward to hearing some news soon.
xx

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 11:34

Thankyou for your encouragements. Still no sign of anything actually happening, though like you biccy, it feels like it only happens when I move.

My lovely MIL is on her way and the doula has suggested that maybe my body is waiting for her to get here so that I know DS is taken care of.

It is such a huge dissapointment when you think you are going to have the baby and then nothing happens, I was really upset sunday night, and am also really worried this could go on for weeks (its sodding painful).

On the other hand, when I do actually go into labour its likely to be really quick - so am worried that I will think its a false alarm and not go in.

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 23/02/2010 11:38

are you sure it isn't just strong braxton hicks? I had these regularly towards the end of all 3 of my pregnancies, so much so that a few times I did wonder if this was it, only for it all to stop.

I know it's next to impossible, but try not to think about it! if you keep wondering when it's going to happen and baby actually goes to term then you'll have spent 4 weeks getting stressed!
baby is in the right place right now, don't wish for it to be born prematurely, just enjoy the last few weeks

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 14:33

Thisisyesterday, I just want to the baby to be born now, don't want to think its strong braxton hicks or anything.

I didn't get anything like this with DS - so am hoping thats a sign its doing something proper.

OP posts:

alex1803 · 23/02/2010 14:49

I had this with my second baby. Mine did go on for a couple of weeks, but to begin with they were only crampy, by the end I thought I was in labour nearly everyday!

However, they were not overly uncomfortable, and after an hour or so they stopped.

I know this sounds depressing, but here's the good bit... I was 40+10 days and went for a sweep, turns out I had been in pre labour (prob for 3 weeks or so) as I was fully effaced and 4cm. (when I think of how hard it was to get to 2cm with DD1!!)

That night (after a turbo sweep) I started with contractions (this time I knew it was for real) Within 4 hours I'd had a wonderful (and to be honest) easy home birth.

So maybe your body is doing it so when you go into labour, you've got a good head start and you're not away from you DS too long.

Remain positive!!

anna26anna · 23/02/2010 15:24

Hi BandB,
My friend just had a similar experience of stalled labour, which extended from 37 wks to her due date. She was in hospital overnight twice, because she knew that once things were really happening it would be fast, and she was quite far from the hospital. In the end, when they broke her waters her DD was delivered in 20 minutes. It was just one day past her due date, but the weeks of thinking things were about to go every day were really frustrating for sure.

Anna

Original poster

BumptiousandBustly · 23/02/2010 15:37

Thankyou ladies, its reassuring to know that at least its likely to be helping. I am likely to have a quick labour anyway as DS was on 5 hours, but its quite scary thinking how quick it could be.

I really just want the baby to come, the thought of another 4 weeks of false labour - and trying to entertain DS1 - is really, really stressful.

OP posts:

MumNWLondon · 23/02/2010 15:41

With DS I had BH at regular intervals for 3 weeks before - eg every 10 mins, some actually quite uncomfortable (but not like full on labour and but never went on for more than 2-3 hours!) drove me totally mad and when I actually was in labour was really sure it was false alarm!

alex1803 · 23/02/2010 15:44

Remember, if your labour is going fast and you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the speed, go on all fours, with arms on floor and bum in the air.

It will just give you a few more minutes to compose yourself and regain control.

I know the end drags by, but just think, you've done 36 weeks, what's a couple more!! (That is so easy to say isn't it!!)

Hang on in there, and remember there is no harm in a bit of cbeebies!!

DrSkidaddle · 23/02/2010 17:12

BandB - I am in the same boat. Am 40+3 and have had two occasions over the last week when I have been completely convinced I was in labour (Sunday night I had regular contractions from 9pm-3am and then they just stopped) - it is enough to send you potty, isn't it? And this is my DC3 so it's not as if I don't know what contractions feel like!

Like you I am worried that when it is for real, it will be so fast that I won't even make it to the hospital. No advice but just to let you know you are not alone and I will cross my fingers for you!

Biccy · 24/02/2010 15:08

Bumptious, how are you? If you are still in early labour, then I hope you are coping okay, physically and emotionally. Look forward to hearing your news.

Flip