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

[ExquisiteChristmasCake]

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?

Oh good Christmas smilies to add to my joyous day. Am dragging DM to Tesco. Cramping like mad so will avoid driving. If I go in Tesco they give you free things....

Tesco?????
Surely Waitrose Food and Home

Are you having a back to back labour? Sounds like one to me.

exquisite, what are you still doing intact? Are you allowed out once your waters have gone?

Oh good god not Tesco, Waitrose is far naicer!

did anyone predict a birth this late? We'll have to start with predictions all over again

Hope you're as ok as can be, ECC. Fingers crossed for a baby sometime today x

If they give you free things is you have a baby in a shop, can I make one suggestion? Waitrose

and take your notes with you ok?

I thought it was M&S that give you the freebies, or is that just an urban myth?

Good luck anyway ECC

Oh no, where's the 3.20am baby?
Maybe 3.20am SATURDAY morning, then?

Have a good-as-you-can day, Exquisite. Take it easy.

Oh, Exquisite. Won't be long now. Hope you get free things in Tesco. Newborns are probably in the Baby aisle.

And, importantly, (this has been bugging me all night), how on earth have you known the sex and been able to keep if from DH?!

The curse of the live birth thread strikes again :o
Guaranteed to delay labour every time!

OP, hope your day isn't too painful, and that you're snuggling your new baby soon :)

Rainy- with great difficulty! I didn't buy gender specific stuff! Needs to be Tesco Extra as I need to buy scratch mits! My MW said as long as I wear a pad I should be ok but she won't leave me too long without a hand examination as I'll be prone to infection without waters. Baby was turned slightly back to back 3 days ago do perhaps thats why it's taking so long. Have notes in my bag and the hospital is near to the supermarket should I have to go in and be probed!

Best of luck ecc it won't be long now? X

Still no baby?! Hope things speed up for you and there's no dramatic Tesco delivery in the frozen food aisle

Have been following this thread too. Logged on this morning (excited) to find no news of the baby yet. GOOD LUCK!

ah good luck exquisite - have a good time shopping, take your mind off it a teeny tiny bit maybe. Thinking of you!!!

Signing in for Duty as your resident midwife MNHQer
Good luck ECC

Disclaimer: I am not a midwife

I went to Asda when I was in labour. Only for about 5 minutes though. It was hell!

Thinking of you exquisite, hope you don't have to wait too much longer

EEC both my labours were back to back. You're moving about which is the best thing. Lots of hands and knees, they may turn back. Keep positive, it'll soon be here. A lovely scrummy baby

Been lurking sicne this started last night, can't believe baby isn't here yet!! Hope its over soon

Squeee one of my quichers had her baby last night! Come on EEC and Iggly.

Sits Nickelbabe on a birthing ball on a powerplate to help things along>

No baby??