How big is a 'show' - mine going on forever...

[kitstwins]

This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions isn't it? Possibly literally. It's also one of those TMI ones, so apologies in advance.

I'm overdue by a couple of days and had a 'show' yesterday morning; namely a few big blobs of brown (old blood) snot. It tailed off in the afternoon, apart from a few smaller pieces that came out during the course of the day/evening. This morning I've had some more big lumps. My question is, how much is there of this stuff? Presumably the cervix isn't that big? When I say big lumps I mean bigger than a 50p piece but obviously not as big as an apple. Probably more dried apricot sized (gotta love a good food analogy. God, I hope no one is eating whilst they're reading this!). I've had several of those with smaller bits here and there.

No contractions, which is annoying. Just this endless show. Someone please put me out of my misery and tell me the exciting news that I've a) passed all that I can pass and b) this means that labour will now be imminent.

Have tried all aspects of natural induction to get this baby moving (sex, clary sage, hot baths, gym ball rolling, more sex, curry) but thus far, no sign.

Sorry no idea here, would love to know the answer to that one though. I have 8 more weeks to go yet! Although I'm positive she'll be born early.

Good luck though :)

PS, food analogys(/analogies??) are the way forward :o

You just reminded me, I ate a bag of dried apricots yesterday

Mine lasted for 5 days with DS before contractions started.

Mine started on the Wednesday, continued through the rest of the week, contractions started Saturday morning, DS born 3.32am Monday.

That wasn't very encouraging, was it?

Sorry.

Yes, there can be loads of it, I kept thinking "surely that it is now" but it wasn't. If you start to get worried or if there is any significant blood loss as opposed to old blood in mucus, phone delivery suite.

And Melly - everyone thinks their baby will be early (not too much, but a week or so), it's our way of holding on to what little remains of our sanity near the end.

Hi Kits, remember me?

I'm so excited you are THIS close to producing no. 3! And you really are very close. Even if it doesn't feel like it. Which I know it doesn't as I remember what it was like being overdue.

My personal experience won't give you much hope (big show after every sweep but had three sweeps before anything happened). What DID seem to work for me was acupuncture at the Zita West clinic nr Baker St. Might that be worth a visit? Having said that it may not have been the acupuncture that worked for me as I was 8 days overdue and the baby was surely going to come out at some point no matter what I did. I think that's the thing to remember, no baby has stayed inside forever, it can only be a matter of days now.

Anyway, I wish you loads of luck for a great birth experience in stark contrast to your first.

Hi Artichokes yes I do remember you as my QC's ward buddy! Incredibly that was some 4 1/2 years ago! And I remember you going overdue with your second baby too. I've had some reflexology which was nice and relaxing and she said it all felt very favourable, but I'm with you on the view that it is probably going to happen anyway and it is, in the end, a bit coincidental. Which is why all the stuff I've done to date to get the baby moving has done precisely bugger all - because this baby isn't in the mood to come yet.

At least the various replies have managed my expectations ergo I'm now not expecting to go into labour imminently. Sigh....

To cap it all, I realise I've got loads of dried apricots in my cupboard for post-birth iron boost. It was the wrong analogy to use...

I did think she was going to be born late. Just like me :o but I'm getting loads of Braxton Hicks, although they're not painful, they're bloody uncomfortable! My belly goes all hard and feels like I have a wide piece of elastic round my belly below my belly button and it's being pulled really tight. It's just really uncomfortable. It's my first so I'm just sort of guessing but I'm convinced she's gonna be early.

Melly-Unfortunately Braxton Hicks, the gestation you start getting them, the length, the strength etc...mean sod all regarding when you will go into labour. TBH a more accurate way of telling when you might go into labour, is looking at the genetic tendencies in your immediate family- if you were late, your baby might follow suit..

It's one of the hardest things to except (trust me, I'm still struggling at 37 wks) but baby will only make an appearance when baby is ready- we all hope we are going to pop early but the reality is, that the vast majority of 1st time mums are late...

Ohhh :( and I was so hoping she would be different from the rest of the family :o I was 12 days late. . . .

Apart from my big brother, he was 2 months early and born with a hole in his heart.

Sorry- of course there is always a possibility yours MAY be early?!

I'm sure you will only want her to come out when she's fully baked though..