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?

Hope all is well in labour land for everyone, can see it being a late night waiting for updates. Might get DH to bring back chocolate to keep me going

Will read up in a moment....

MW just left I am 7cms.

Having some tightenings but I'm ok, just taken 2 paracetamol and had a bath. MW has gone to pick up gas and air and said she'll probably see me in the night.

Now I'm literally like "fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!"

She examined me and said oh I might as well sweep you now I'm up here .

Tesco was mayhem however the Christmas cake is now iced...so it looks like I'm ready to sit back and push. These last few cms shouldn't take long [hmm[

Wow , that is impressive ,7cms and icing cake .

Not long now I reckon .

So, will we have a December 2nd baby or 3rd ?

I reckon maybe you'll go into tomorrow, early hours of the morning. Unless things really pick up. Bless you, you are doing so well.

I will be here for a while, and will definetly be here tonight to urge you on !

Thinking of any other ladies who are busy becoming Mummies today. xxx

Can't quite sit properly due to the pressure on my backside.

Balls this hurts. Will keep with you ladies as long as I can.

Decorated the tree today too .

Why, I feel like Mary.

7cm?

you've been gone all day!!

7cm, icing cake and MNing - what a hero!

It's like Christmas with snuggly newborns about to be opened up everywhere

Well I came back from Tesco/department store around 2...ironed dh's shirt for work, decorated the Christmas tree with ds, then the MW rang and said my usual MW has gone to the rugby but she heard about my waters can she come over and examine me?

She did and I said I'm feeling niggly and pressure and she said well you're 7cms but your cervix is a little thick but there's lots of mucus...I'll probably see you tonight for delivery.

And then she left!

In all fairness it hasn't been too bad apart from uncomfortable. I didn't think I was dilated AT ALL!! I just thought this is one big piss take. So it's reassuring to know something is going on.

Starting to get nervous and pushing as I know that bit bloody hurts.

about* not and

It DOES bloody hurt but think beyond that to the wonderful baby you will soon be holding in your arms. (((HUG)))

All your efforts will bring the most wonderful reward !

Yay, way to go girl ! Not long to go now...:)

Wow I seriously want to get to 7cm like you in similar conditions!!

I'm supposed to go into hospital (vbac) but if I could turn up at 7cm that would be fab :)

Wow 7cms. Great stuff!!
Hope the last 3cms go smoothly

Last 3 will fly by.

Sooo exciting, newborn snuggles in a few short hours.

ECC oh well done on getting 7/10 !

. wont be long now ....deep breaths calm thoughts and all that !

You will be fine, you are still icing cakes at 7cm that is a good sign.

Sending you Zhen vibes ~ ~ ~

OMMM and breathe the baby down ~ ~ ~ :)

Your amazing! I am most definately not talking sense and 7cm let alone icing a cake and ironing.

I think before midnight for sure, a Dec 2nd baby.

Poor nickelbabe.

I never went overdue, I always had the opposite problem, mine were always early !

I cannot imagine how fed up you must feel.

Have you done all the usual to get things going ?

thank you for the sympathy noticing me

I have done all the usual things, apart from the things that are supposed to give me the runs.
Something is happening ,just not much.

and I blew up seventeen balloons.
that didn't work either (but i feel a bit fitter)

Sex not worked ?

Thought that was a guarantee ?

SEVENTEEN BALLOONS ?

Why don't you use a pumper ?!

I think I'd pass out if I tried to blow up 17 balloons !

the balloons-blowing was to force my stomach muscles to contract, teaching my uterine muscles what to do.

I don't enjoy telling people I'm late. I then get lots of very dull stories about how overdue they were, their daughter was, their neighbour two doors down was.