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?

I used my ball for dc3 born at home. I mainly draped myself over it....

Just read this all in one go.
Good luck op :)

I used ds1's space hopper, it really helped

Space hopper ! Brilliant ! Did you know you can buy adult ones ? Useless bit of info for you !

I never used one. I was always a high risk so was strapped to the bed not really with needles stuck everywhere in case I needed rushing into theatre.

Just found walking around, applying nail varnish to DD1 and pushing her on the swings helped me. The ball just challenged me to balance......

That was early on btw,

See, a space hopper's better for balance as you've got those eary things to hold on to I didn't know you could get adult ones, that may have been a bit better

Now that is true saw one the other day in John Lewis, this would likely have made it better, might have saved me walking around in the dark and rain making unusual noises and making people twitch their curtains.

i got my ball from argos - i've been sitting on i regularly.
it'srather comfy, actually.

Maybe an adult space hopper is the way to go for Christmas stocking fillers ?

Sorry, that's is so not relevant to this thread in any way.

I bet they would be great in any snow we might get ! BOING !

that's is ?

that's

I am a little accident prone and just felt rather insecure on it. I would relax then wobble and feel out of control. My MW sister thinks they're great.

What pictures? Balance? I'm too far in on the wine! Will someone just have a bloody baby. Ooo could I be in transition. Nope not pregnant justout of wine!!

I have half a bottle could pass it over.

Just read to the end of this thread and am eager for more news! Where are you Exqusite? Hope you are by now having lovely newborn snuggles!!

yes - why is there no update?

I won't leave you all in the luch like this when i finally get round to it.

just logged on and soooo delighted you are still pregnant

Fingers crossed for you and lots of admiration - will be here for next couple of hours!! exciting!

Good! Hmm must be more wine round here somewhere!

Who is the niece and where are all the babies?

Can we have a birth advent thread where everyday we get to share someone's story? Some of us have had our last baby. Sob.
Ok no more wine for me.

guess: 11.51 Girl 8lbs 11 0z

ECC has not been back on for a while , things must be happening !

And champagne?

She may be sleeping, don't get over-excited just yet !