I promised myself I wouldn't start an 'is this it?' thread but...

[BellaCB]

...this is DC1 and it all feels different from what I expected so sod it, I'm ending up asking!

I've been in annoying 'pre-labour' for a week or so know, which is probably why I am a bit wary with what is going on now - basically have been having period pain cramps and lots of BH since last weekend, when I had a sweep on Thurs (40+2) I was fully effaced and 2cm dilated. Then had my show over this weekend and stronger period pains, but they were sort of background consistent, so definitely not contractions.

This morning I have been having what I guess must be contractions for the past 2 hours or so, lasting 40-60 secs and happening around every 10 mins. I say 'guess' they are contractions because they feel internal, radiating from back to front, and feel nothing like BH!

Mw is probably coming over this afternoon as she was due for a sweep anyway, when I spoke to her this morning after only about an hour or so of cx she said it sounded 'hopeful' and will call back later, so I'm not too concerned about calling the hospital yet.

But does this sound possible? As I said, after all the stop-starting for the past week I'm scared of getting my hopes up too much in case it stops!

Also looking for news... Hope you are snuggling your lovely baby.

me too :)

Is there still no news?? Hope everything is ok OP.

Hoping no news means good news!

What happened - cliff hanger .......
Would love to hear baby news.

Hi all!

Thanks loads for your support, and sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger!

My hopes for a nice easy delivery failed spectacularly!

I went to hospital at about midnight Monday and was sent home again because I was only 2-3 centimetres. I made it through until 8am and went back again, but was still only 2-3cm and my contractions weren't close enough. Spent a charming 12 hours on the labour ward (wanted to stay close to the codeine!) before DP was chucked out and sent home for the night, during which I kept throwing up and got into a bit of a state - don't even start me on the hospital failing to give me cyclyzine despite me being unable to even keep water down. At 10pm Tuesday I finally got examined again after I had been begging, literally, for morphine to try and get some sleep after 36 hours on my feet (the only position I found comfortable) with contractions that had stalled at about 4 mins apart for 24 hours, and thankfully I had reached 4cm by then so I went for an epidural as I was absolutely shattered.

While getting me ready for the epi they discovered that baby was distressed and also that I was, quite frankly, a state after being without fluids for so long. They decided to break my waters to try and get me going but the consultant's face at the state of my waters was pretty memorable... Poor DP, who I had left at home to try and get some sleep (thinking I'd just get a few hours myself after the epi) had to make a mad rush to hospital, the moment he turned up he was thrown into scrubs and at 1am our beautiful daughter Alexandria was born by emcs weighing 8lbs 1.

Unfortunately my waters were very infected and she was rushed straight to neonatal ICU, and so Alex and I have spent the past week in hospital - hence the lack of any update! Thankfully she wasn't too poorly but she still had to spend 5 days in SCBU on antibiotics which was very scary and difficult to deal with (she was whisked away from me so quickly I didn't get to see her for 12 hours) but last night we were allowed to finally bring her home.

But thanks again for keeping a scared first timer going! At least next time I'll know what to look out for, but quite frankly after that experience I think I might be pushing for an elec cs...!

You poor thing for having such a rotten time but congratulations on your lovely baby .

Oh congratulations! Glad you and baby Alexandra are on the mend!

Oh poor you bellacb!
Am so pleased that you and your gorgeous little girl are now both healthy and at home! Congratulations! xx

Oh Bella it never works out as planned, does it, but you've done it now and you must be so proud. Congratulations!

oh huge congratulations!!! Sorry to hear about the infections / EMCS etc, but you are home now and you can enjoy snuggly newborn cuddles finally

Sorry to hear you had such a rubbish time. Congratulations on your new arrival though, at least everything is well now.

Bella - my 2nd labour was a lot like this. I had a show at about 7am on the Tuesday morning when contractions started, and spent the whole Wednesday in 'latent' labour - exactly as you describe. I called the hospital at about 1am because the contractions were 3mins apart and lasting about 45 secs, though they weren't all that painful, and they told me to have a paracetamol and a bath.

At 3am, my contractions started to really hurt and feel more purposeful. I wanted some g&a and a water birth, so I called hospital again and they told me to come in. I was 5cm dilated when I arrived at 3.45am. My dd was actually born 45 minutes later - no time for the pool, but she was my second!

I would say that you should stay at home for as long as you're coping. Try bath, paracetamol, kneeling, leaning over birth ball etc etc, and stay relaxed as much as possible. It's not how long you've done that counts, it's how well your labour's progressing - I'd done 20 hours before going in and I was 5cm by then.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on x

didn't see there was a second page... I'm a div, sorry.

Glad you and your daughter are home now. And congratulations!

i'm sorry you had such a rough time.

look to the future now, with your gorgeous little dd and take care of yourself.

Oh, so sorry it was a tough time and her first few days were crappy. but its brill you are home and all are well.

Enjoy xx