Going into labour...

[Blankiefan]

Looking for thoughts/experiences...

I'm 25+3 and starting to think forward. I'm pretty well / healthy currently - just a bit knackered on occassion. I'd like to work until the very end for two reasons:

• I'm only taking 6 months mat leave and want as much time with the baby as possible

• its recently occurred to me that if I take time before EDD, I may go into labour on my own in the house; I'd much rather not be alone and at work there'd be people around (i realise this is quite selfish as I'm sure my colleagues don't want to start boiling water/fetching towels)

What about you; did you go into labour alone? Was it scary? Did you go into labour at work and if so, how did that go down?

Thanks

Realistically you could go into natural labour as early as 32 weeks or as last as 42. I would have a read of as many birth stories as you can, as you'll see that everyone has very different experiences, from reasonable quick to very stop/start over days. Therefore I'm not sure you can really plan for where you'll be. Could easily start on your day off anyway.

I worked up to 38 weeks with DS1 and was tired but ok by then, had DS a week early and kind of wish I'd had a little more time off before. But then he could have been 2 weeks overdue and I'd have been bored!

My labour started with my mucus plug coming away in the loo, then low period pain like cramps which took about 3-4 hours to get going into proper contractions. Once I was 3 mins apart, went into hospital and it took 6 hours after that.

I had DH with me - but he wasn't much use btw. Yes it's scary - but only in a "I've never done this" type way, you can call your labour ward for advice at any point and there will always be people either here or on the chat forum who will love to help on a live birth thread so advice is always available.

I think a lot of people say they go into labour overnight, so work or not you might be at home? I think a bit of time pre baby is nice but agree I would want as much time with baby after arrival. I had ds at 36wks and was using up holiday at the time but didn't get started on my 'to do list' things like freezer meals shopping for baby things like a car seat..,

I went into labour at home on my own at 5pm. Ds came at 32+5. I had finished work 10 days earlier so I'm glad I took my 6 weeks holiday before maternity leave kicked in otherwise I'd have still been working, and at 5pm on a Sunday I'd have probably been at work in. Busy coffee shop!

It was scary. More so because it was so early and unexpected and I didn't even have a hospital bag packed or got to the chapter in 'what to expect when your expecting' about labour!

I had no idea what to do and was petrified because it was too soon.

Dp was due home from work 45 minutes after the pain started so I thought I'd be ok and then we'd get to the hospital.

Ds had other ideas and was born on the bed 35 minutes after the pain started, and minutes before the paramedics arrives. Luckily I had managed to dial 999!

This is not a normal labour though lol! I'd just make sure you are ready and if you are in your own make sure you have someone you can call,if not call an ambulance.

Make sure your hospital bag is ready though, I went with a pair of pyjamas dp grabbed on the way out and was bundled into the ambulance in the top I was wearing, a blanket wrapped round my bare middle and trainers!

Think mine is a bit of a horror story tbh but and quite rare but I'd tell anyone to be prepared! X