Help! Mucus plug just gone, pain down there - is it time?!

[Noodles81]

Hi guys,

I was due yesterday and had a sweep yesterday. Woke up this morning from pains in my lower back which then transferred to pain in the front, they were coming every half hr.

Just went to the loo now and my mucus plug has gone - it was flegm like and browny/redy in colour. The pains have also come back they happen every so often maybe half an hr.

Does this mean labour is imminent? What shall i do? Friend said now is the time to have sex to get it all going - isn't it dangerous to have sex if the plug has gone?

I'm so nervous!!!!

By the way, - things to ping you along are doing anything that makes you think or say 'Mmmmmm', so sliding between clean sheets, eating cake, massage, just thinking of holding a squishy newborn, - all those things get the right hormones going as well as the natural endorphines to help with any pain. Dates also have oxytocin in them and have been found to help bring labour on.

You can help the physiology by siting on a kitchen chair backwards, or on the loo (to open pelvis), walk up and down stairs sideways (to shake baby down and put pressure on cervix) as well as the best one which is to read an erotic novel, or if you feel up to it, engage in erotic activites.

I'm currently sitting up in bed watching the BAFTAS but thinking of napping!
BTW am i right in thinking i go in when they are about 3mins apart and lasting 1min each contraction?

I'm currently on about 7mins apart lasting 30-40 secs.
x

i wouldnt worry too much about the frequency and length of contractions re going in, you will know when you need the support of a midwife, just see how you get on at home and you will know when you need to go in and you have everyone on mn rooting for you!

its sounding like this could well be it! sending easy, speedy labour vibes xx

ok cool. I've really surprised myself by being able to get this far by breathing it through. It's almost like i think it's not the real thing because i expect the pain to be so crippling it brings me to my knees as that's what i've seen and heard. Maybe that part is yet to come ey?!

I am hoping i can manage though. The screaming banshee woman on the ward was examined and all i heard next was 'ok love, you're 3cm at the moment'. So maybe there is hope for me! A friend of mine went right till the end with no drugs before she had to be taken for emergency c-section.
x

If you are able to watch TV during this then you don't need to worry at all about going in! Great idea to be sitting in bed relaxing though.

When you are able to do nothing but stop everything and focus on getting through each contraction, then you might think about ringing the labour ward for some advice.

I think I was told for my 1st baby to ring when they were every 5 mins and lasting roughly 1 min. But I think we rang the labour ward about 3 times before they said we should come in! Agree with others that you should stay at home as long as you think you can, although if you are getting panicky at home at any point, then do just ring the labour ward.

Is your TENS nearby?

7 mins apart lasting 30-40secs sounds very encouraging.

Cross-posted. Sounds like you are doing really well. I think for most people, labour isn't crippling pain from the word go. It often starts gently then ramps up. I think I was only mooing like a cow with DD1 once I got into hospital, and with DD2, only for the last hour. Even if / when the pain does ramp up, you may well still be able to manage it (you mentioned you know some hypnobirthing techniques). And if you find you need extra help with the pain, then there are all sorts of options, as I'm sure you know too. .

TENS is right here, was told not to use it too soon so to not get too used to it when i need it later on?

You're right though, i don't imagine i'd be able to be typing when i'm ready to go in!

Mine were 2mins apart and lasting well over a minute and I called to go in, and the midwife tried to tell me to stay at home and call back in an hour

I told her to get that pool filled because I was coming in and have a 45 min journey!

Cheer up noodles I reckon it will come well before Friday.

Noodles. It is really important that you get rest and fed. There is no reason why the baby may well not come tomorrow but if you are knackered then you will find the last bit hard and may cascade into interventions that you would prefer to avoid.

Have happy, warm, Mmmm, thoughts but rest rest rest.

I phoned in between contractions, but there was no bloody way I would hold the phone during one so I timed it.

I think the midwife didn't believe I was as far along as I was as I was kind of hypnobirthing and very cheerful, - almost excited.

When the baby popped out the midwife was also caught unawares and she admitted to me that even when I came in 1hour and a half earlier that she didn't think I was even in active labour.

I bloody did though

Sorry I meant to say Monday how exciting good luck

I thought with a TENS machine you were supposed to put it on fairly early so that you had time to build up the intensity, otherwise it's pointless later on?

Thanks guys. I think i will try the TENS now Fliss.

And grrrrrrrrr it's gone from 7mins to 10 and now more than 10....what is happening?!!?

Just sleep while you still have the chance!!

Good luck

Or if you feel like it drag DH out for a walk round the block.Keeps the head down-worked for me!
Good luck. x

I found with ds that if I lay down then the contractions got slower. TBH I would get yourself some sleep and rest and not worry it took 3 days for ds to come with varying degrees of contractions, 1st hospital trip I thought it was happening - was sent home. 2nd trip I bloody knew it was different and was happening as did the mw on the phone .

Also don't worry about your waters breaking, my mw had to break mine and even then she said they might never have gone naturally but so be it!

Go to sleep. Seriously. I had 24 hours of latent labour and another 12 hours of the real thing. I was shattered. Sleep now.

23mins was the last one, but more intense.

You're all right of course, i should stop clock watching and timing and get to bed which i'm going to do as soon as BAFTAs are over!
x

Good luck! You are doing great!

Roll with your body and don't worry too much about updating us all...

We will all be thrilled when he comes but this is your time to go inwards, into your zone, be private, be peaceful, be primal, and let your baby come in his own sweet time.

Candle lit for you and your little one on his gentle way, from me and my baby thousands of miles away, south of Cuba!

Good luck noodles been following this thread and yes get some sleep!

hope you got some sleep noodles

thinking of you and hoping you are doing ok.x

Watching with excitement. Hope you have a lovely day resting and watching crap telly, eating energy-high food for (hopefully!) later. DH and I started watching an old DVD while I was in (long) labour with my 1st, and it's now got a real special place in my heart and makes me :) every time I think of it.

Brisk walks (unless it's icy) are also good.