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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?

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nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 16:37

i bet you're sore!
I was sore just reading about how much pain you were in! Shock

morethemerrier · 03/12/2011 16:39

Well done Potts!!! Fab name I've got a William! Grin

Now lets all pop over to Nickles thread and give her some support!

Go Go Nickle!! Poms Poms Waving!!

Wolfie,better crack open some more wine,it could be a long night!

nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 16:43

yes, we really should get all the ready-to-pop ladies on one thread - it's been very confusing for me Grin

Original poster
ExquisiteChristmasCake · 03/12/2011 17:13

Ah Nickle but only because I can't have pain relief! 4 big pushes and one little one and he was here! I'm gutted I didn't get more time with gas and air that stuff us magical Grin

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Original poster
ExquisiteChristmasCake · 03/12/2011 17:14

Nickel what's your thread title I'm trying to find it but I'm on my iPhone so can't follow links!

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justhayley · 03/12/2011 18:27

Best thread ever, I'm sitting here in actual tears lol Congratulations Hun and thank you for sharing it with us all. I can't wait for mine to arrive now - although we may have to wait a while I'm only 19 weeks lol

OnlyWantsOne · 03/12/2011 18:31

How's are you feeling?

nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 18:43

it's called booking this thread early, nickelbabe's live birth thread.
it's in childbirth.
:)

nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 18:44

i'm going with TENS and gas and air.
I'm not sure when I'm supposed to start with the tens (i haven't even had a practice yet!)

HugosGoatee · 03/12/2011 19:44

How's your perineum ECC? No need to answer if tmi - I'm just finding these live labours so incredibly educational Smile

nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 20:24

i find that too, Hugo - i still don't know what to expect, but it's reassuring that something will happen eventually!

Wolfiefan · 03/12/2011 21:16

Ooo hadn't realised I had guessed right! Who mentioned wine? My midwife said certain clubs offer gas and air. Hmmm sounds odd to me. Gotta love those tens machines! With my second I spent ages choosing one and then hardly had time to use it! :-o

SaggyoldCHRISTMASHUMBUGcatpuss · 03/12/2011 21:38

You guys are making me cry! Im so broody all the time! Envy

plus3 · 03/12/2011 21:42

Another lurker coming on to say a huge congratulations!! Brought back so many memories of DD's home birth.

Well done & enjoy the new addition to your family

hester · 03/12/2011 21:57

Wow, huge congratulations Exquisite and Iggly ! Smile

Isaiah is such a great name.

Ooh, if I wouldn't need to go to a special clinic in Italy and get meself on the front page of the Daily Mail, I'd do it all again Grin

OnlyWantsOne · 03/12/2011 22:07

Nickel :) - hewllooooooo

nickelbabe · 03/12/2011 22:16

hello OWO - haven't seen you for aaaaaages Grin

OnlyWantsOne · 03/12/2011 22:21

Just read my birth thread from this time last year & you said it was making you broody!!

hellymelly · 03/12/2011 23:28

feel quite teary eyed at the thought of both tiny new babies! Thanks and Thanks and Brew x 2. My DD is a December baby,nothing lovelier than a newborn at Christmas.aw.

nickelbabe · 04/12/2011 03:52

i can't find your birth thread. :(
i wanted to read it.

Original poster
ExquisiteChristmasCake · 04/12/2011 08:21

My perineum is fine no tears or scratches and no stitches... the same with ds1 so they said it was unlikely I'd "break" this time, thankfully! Isaiah wanted to feed ALL night which was delightful as I didn't sleep after the birth Sad dh took him for 2 hours while I got some shut eye but am bf do only so much he can do! Off to supervise ds1 with his cornflakes and then a shower and wait for visitors thanks so much for all of you taking such an interest! As soon as I get 5 and the laptop (not my stupid iPhone) I'll put a photo up! Nickel... I used my TENS in the last 4 weeks for niggles, my only advice for a G&a birth is to take it when you're at the end of your tether, if you have it too soon you'll need a different type of pain relief later on. Gosh my body feels like I've been hit by a bus Sad

OP posts:
Figgydragon · 04/12/2011 08:34

Thanks congratulations iggy, EEC and pottering and welcome babies Smile

Wolfiefan · 04/12/2011 08:35

Ooo pictures! Pleeeeease! Look after yourself and your gorgeous family!

nickelbabe · 04/12/2011 08:47

oh, Honey - i thought for a minute you were FiggyRolls.... Confused

Exquisiste - i'll order one with no tears, rips or grazes, too, please!
thanks for the advice on G&A - i think i'll take that one up. :)

Mum1369 · 04/12/2011 09:20

(chucks woolfie empty crunchy wrappers and ahem, quarter bottle of pouilly fume)