Really desperately need some labour advice, please please please!!!

[Mummycherry2]

Hi ladies,

I'm 39 weeks, had a show yesterday and have had constant dull period type pains for last 24 hours or so (and an upset tummy for 3 days) this morning I've been getting more and more pains more regularly. My back hurts, then I get a cramp in the front and my bump goes hard. Getting them every 20 mins or so now for the past couple of hours. Is this sounding like labour? I'm a first timer and this sounds very silly but I don't really know what a contraction feels like. I know that these pains are very uncomfortable though! Any advice would be really greatly received xx

I just had my baby girl on Tuesday and had these exact same symptoms starting on Monday afternoon. This was also my first baby and I didn't have a clue if it was labour either!

They started at about lunch time on Monday but we're pretty far apart and not that sore, then by 11.30pm they were 8 mins apart and by 2.20am they were 4/5 mins apart and I finally phoned the hospital. Ended up having my baby at 1.36pm on Tuesday afternoon

Good luck and hopefully it goes nice and quick you!!

Thank you Jo and mummytobe! Pains have steadily got closer together and more intense. About 6 mins apart now...phoned labour ward and they've said as long as I'm happy I can stay at home. DH is driving me round the bend! He is flapping about like an old woman and is now complaining he is tired so I've sent him to bed so I can have some peace and quiet!! The worst thing is...he confiscated my wine earlier too..not amused I can tell you! Anyone else's DH/DP been a pain at this stage too?!

That is brilliant. My husband has been the one flapping throughout this whole pregnancy, he tells people 'we have another scan' like it's the worst thing in the world even though it was routine. Men are funny things. I ended up buying mine a book called 'everything daddy needs to know' , think he read it to settle himself? No ! He just asks me everything and normally more than once. Every Monday night I watch OBEM, will he watch it? No, but he insists on a minute by minute description once it's finished and will occasionally pop into the room and make comment like 'OMG why is she screaming like? ' and 'is that normal?' Men are great. They're brilliant and can always be sure to put a smile on your face just when you least expect it. I have my mum as a birth partner as well as my husband as I know he will be a chocolate teapot in the labour ward; I might even get him his own little TENS :-) xx

Great idea to stay at home for as long as possible. Can you go for a little walk round the block in your pj's? No one will see you???

How you doing now? Hope you are managing to get a bit of rest between contractions. Won't be long until you meet your baby!!! Eek!

How are you doing? Hope you will hold your little one soon..

I'm still at home, pains every 6-7 mins still but definitely getting more fierce. Managed to doze for a few hours last night and am back in the bath now (DH snored his head off for the whole night through surprise surprise!) still feeling pretty calm and chilled and am determined to stay at home as long as poss- midwife coming out to do early assessment this morning...thank you all for your kind messages so far xx

Fantastic, you're doing great! The longer you can manage at home the better, and even better that you are managing to eat and rest a bit. Fingers crossed for a baby tonight! Loves a live birth thread Do you know if you're having a girl or a boy?

I'm having a boy Thurlow, he is a honeymoon baby...literally lol! Midwife has just left, definitely in labour- I haven't dreamt it up. She wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised that I'm 1cm dilated and waters still in tact. Could be quite a while yet but at least I know it's happening and it's not just phantom pains!x

Aw, lovely - I knew what we were having, I liked that, knowing our little girl was on her way. Hope they stay manageable and you can be relaxed. And drink! I had a long slow latent stage too but ended up massively dehydrated, so my one tip is to drink, drink, drink!

Any updates Mummy? Very excited x

Yay! Exciting

Thank you all for your kind messages and support. DS was born at 6.21 this morning- 5 days early! The labour and birth was pretty horrific I hate to say and I've ended up with a 3rd degree tear and had to have an hour of surgery this morning :( otherwise I'm relived it's all over and completely in love with my little boy xx

Congratulations!

I had a third degree tear with my first. Everything healed fine. Give yourself time. Rest as much as possible.

Snuggle your gorgeous little boy. My dd is 12 weeks now...its flown by.

Well done! !!

Poor thing having a rough time, but congrats! Lovely little baby boy. And with a 3rd degree, don't forget to take inspiration from the other thread knocking around and do sod all for the next six weeks but sit on the sofa and have cuddles!

Congratulations! Sorry to hear it was a difficult experience but like you said, it's over now and you have your beautiful boy! Sending healing vibes your way.

I've been watching this thread with interest as I started with the exact same symptoms last night: painful ctx in my back/bump roughly every 20mins. I'm trying to ignore it but when lying down it's really bad. Eek!

Congratulations both :D i cant wait to be at this stage although i think im going to end up with a csection as i have complications cropping up here and there :( hope your having lotsa shnugglys with your lil man . x

Congratulations and enjoy your wee boy!
Remember salt in the bath and arnica tablets to help you heal.
Sambababy - are you going to be the next live birth! How exciting!?!

Congratulations sorry to hear birth was so hard. Like others say rest now and enjoy your gorgeous baby x

Thank you everyone :) still in hospital but hoping to go home today. Up and about now and now I'm moving the pain isn't too bad. DS is so lovely and snuggly and stares at much with so much love I can't hold it against him. To be honest with all you mummies to be, the pain was horrific and that can't be glossed over but as soon as your baby is put on you, you fall in love. You won't forget the pain but it is compensated for by your baby!xxx

Witch hazel on your maternity pad! Takes the sting away. Congrats! x

Huge congrats on your baby, and commiserations on the sore bits !
Hope you are getting that glass of wine now at least.

Mummycherry have you been discharged now?

It was indeed the beginning for me too. My little girl was born 3pm Sunday. Sorry not to have updated during, but I was somewhat distracted