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Original poster

Beginnings of labour? Should I feel this bulge down below?!

903 replies

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 01/12/2011 20:25

My due date is today. Already had a ds (20mo). Woke up with chronic back ache and cramps at the top of the thighs, chilled out today with my TENS machine (having a home birth so not much else to do). The pain has subsided to be a bit dull, but I am suddenly acutely aware of a bulge in my fanjo. It feels as though there is a grapefruit pressing against it from the other side...could this be the head and is it normal to feel this? Or could it be my waters?

Ds was an easy labour (woke up 10 cms gone and literally began to push whole ordeal was over in a few hours) so I "missed" the beginnings of labour and have no idea what I should be expecting. I know not to bother my midwife to come out until I have contractions/a show (have rung to let her know I'm feeling a bit weird though).

Is it normal?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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travellingwilbury · 01/12/2011 22:37

Right I have to go and do the sleeping thing ,will be back in the morning to lovely news of a snuggly baby .

NotnOtter · 01/12/2011 22:38

the op deserves a medal! I am sooo envious of her lovely calm manner- go for it op!!

lia66 · 01/12/2011 22:38

well I'm staying

Honeydragon · 01/12/2011 22:38

That'll teach me to start reading another birth thread, I'm sure the op took a phone with her, she seemed very sensible and awesome in control.

PinkFondantFancy · 01/12/2011 22:39

Soooo exciting!! hope everything's ok OP. You're making me all nostalgic and wanting to do it all again - my baby is 11 weeks old Hmm. I'll be refreshing this thread all night now!

Wolfiefan · 01/12/2011 22:39

OK time to sleep! Dreaming of giving birth at home in the bath! Late to work tomorrow! Will boss understand if I explain?

BoffinMum · 01/12/2011 22:39

PreHeated, I was told to stay at home and not to attempt to come in, which was just as well as I think it only was about 20 minutes long and three pushes, something like that.

PacificDogwood · 01/12/2011 22:39

MNHQ has Ways and Means Wink[sinister]

I panicked DH when I informed him that I fucking unable struggling to get out of the car when in labour with DS4. Made it to delivery ward, MW asked for a urine sample, I informed her I could give her a baby instead - and I did about 2 pushes and 10 min later Grin.

HugosGoatee · 01/12/2011 22:39

She's been gone ages... must have been pushing or still going!

Fuzzywood · 01/12/2011 22:40

DH has just pulled this Hmm face shaken his head and gone to bed. I have just found a little more wine so am hanging on in here for a little while longer, hope all ok Exquisite.
I also need to find out if Rattus' religious fridge has decided whether the sabbath is over yet (check out active convos for a bit of distraction from the nail biting here).

hester · 01/12/2011 22:41

This is TOO exciting. We've all decided she's giving birth, haven't we? We'll feel a bit crushed if she posts in the morning, merrily telling us that she went off for a good night's sleep and nothing happened Grin

PacificDogwood · 01/12/2011 22:41

Wolfie, of course your boss will understand - who wouldn't??

maxybrown · 01/12/2011 22:41

yeah been about an hour now so LO MUST be here! Smile

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 01/12/2011 22:41

Me too Pink I want another, DS is 14 weeks!

Fiolondon · 01/12/2011 22:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lia66 · 01/12/2011 22:42

wolfie yes I am. Had my 1st birth since my own dd was born last Thursday. Was great to be back. Been off 9 mths.

Original poster
ExquisiteChristmasCake · 01/12/2011 22:42

Haven't read everything yet, thought I'd reply as some of you are hopping from foot to foot.

I got up from the birthing ball to walk to said bathroom and my waters went. Rang dh who was in the middle of a match and rang MW and got into the bath.

Am tightening and by fuck my thighs are killing but not bearing down or contracting "regularly". MW said she will come, I told her to hang on until my timings are on. Dh heaved me out of the bath (he came home with his keys) i asked him to feel if the bulge was still there and he said;

"Ohhh but it's all covered in that mucus stuff". Hmm

Am currently sat on bed in pants and vest and pad with my TENS machine just monitoring my breathing. Have everything in place that I need for the moment. Think it might be a long night, hopefully I'll go to sleep and a baby will appear in my arms.

FWIW the bulge has gone so it was my waters, having a few sharp pains below but nothing regular.

Will read up now.

Thanks for all sharing this experience with me, makes me feel all nice :)

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 01/12/2011 22:42

Well, if she comes back on to say it all settled and nothing happened I will still have enjoyed the frisson on the thread - somebody else's labour and delivery is SO much less painful Grin.

Religious fridge?? Wonders never cease...

droves · 01/12/2011 22:42

Bump ( or not ? ) to watch thread !
Grin

PacificDogwood · 01/12/2011 22:44

Oh, exquisite, I hope you get some rest - sounds like you will need all your strength very soon.

Fisharefriendsnotmincepies · 01/12/2011 22:44

Oh thank you op...can sleep now. Best of luck xxxxxxx

CarolCervix · 01/12/2011 22:44

oh hurrah

although i was fancying a photo diagnosis of 'bulging membranes'

Fuzzywood · 01/12/2011 22:45

Oh thank goodness you're back Grin
Good luck for tonight, come on Exquisite junior!!

maxybrown · 01/12/2011 22:45

oooooh thanks for coming back on! Glad you are ok - I can go to bed now even if I will miss the arrival Envy good luck OP Smile

eurochick · 01/12/2011 22:45

Thanks for the update, OP. Good luck!

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