HELP, in labour!

[Mommatobeatrix]

Okay, so I'm in what Ive been told is the early stage of labour.
Since Monday morning I've been having painless contractions however yesterday (Wednesday) morning at about 5:30am I started getting some pain with the contractions which were about 8 mins apart approximately! A couple of hours later I lost my mucus plug. Since then I've had irregular contractions which have gotten worse in pain up until about 10pm last night when they were about 7/8 mins apart again. Thought I better get some rest for the real deal! I've woke up about an hour ago and they are feeling quite a bit worse about 6 mins apart.
My problem is, ive rang the birth center twice since Monday, both times they told me not to bother making the journey until they're unbearable... but when is unbearable?! I've got a high pain threshold, and they are making me take a deep breathe in at the moment and wince a little but how do I know I'm not coping better than most?
I just don't want to end up unexpectedly needing to push whilst still at home because I've waited until the contractions have gotten 'unbearable'!
I've read some people have gotten to 10cm dilated with manageable contractions, so I'm worried about not knowing when to go into the birth centre if I'm one of those lucky ones.

Has anyone else been through this? What did you do? Anyone got advice?! 😩 I don't even know if I'm dilating because they won't check let me come in to check! I'm seeing my midwife tomorrow morning at 9am, should I wait til then?

I'm 39+1 and waiting for something like this! First baby so I'm not much help. Personally when my time comes, when it gets to the point that I'm out of breath and in a reasonable amount of pain (not excruciating, things can progress quickly from then!) then I'm going to go in.

Good luck and make sure you update us!

I got told at my antenatal class yesterday to try and be at home until they are approx 5 mins apart (and ideally 6/7cm or so but how can you know) so I'd be heading in if I were you! unless you should phone ahead? Better too early than too late I'd think! Best of luck!

My labour was loooooonngg and partly what slowed it down was going into hospital (and being sent home 3 times). You're really not likely to give birth at home, especially with a first. I think we think it's more common than it is as we hear about stories online and not the 00000s who make it to labour ward.
I would call when they get more frequent (less than 5 mins apart consistently) and much more intense... I would say can't stand up and function pain rather than a wince!!
Congratulations though you're about to meet your baby, how exciting!

I should say, mine were more frequent than 5 mins apart consistently each time I went in, and each time the car journey and adrenaline of arriving at a hospital slowed it right down! This is quite common (I was one of many being sent away!) because the body goes from relaxed mode, and being in familiar surroundings to doctors, bright lights etc etc

Thanks ladies!
They're definitely getting worse, but again they're manageable. Not at all what I was expecting in a good way.. which is probably another reason why I feel like I shouldn't go because I feel like I should be in more pain. I just keep getting frustrated when they just tell me to wait to come in!
Currently having a bath, gonna see how things go in the next hour. Only had 3 hrs sleep not sure how I'll cope in labour on 3 hrs sleep 😬😅

Honestly, go when you think you need to. Unbearable varies from person to person so it's a hard one to work out. Was told the same thing with both my daughters, but I just knew when that was that, I needed to get there. With dd1 I was there 4 1/2 hours before I had her. With dd2 I was there 3 hours (very nearly 4) with both by that stage I was 5cm ( dd2 I had gone from 1-4 in 60 hours with on and off contractions, several visits to birth centre due to them getting closer together then when we got there they'd calm down!) and was told at 5cm, I could stay as I was likely to progress quickly. Sorry if none of this useful, I'm rather tired! Wishing you lots of luck with your birth, hope it all goes wonderfully for you!

Are you hydrated? My contractions were intense but never got less than 5-6 minutes apart due to being dehydrated. Once on IV fluids my contractions really got going, however I was pretty dehydrated for days leading up to the birth.

Mogulfield - yeah I've heard that arriving at the doctors can do that! Strange eh!
Luckily the birth centre I'm going to isn't much like a hospital and is a very relaxed environment (the rooms are like hotel suites! Can't wait haha) so hopefully that won't happen. I'm gonna hold on til they're 5mins apart then head on in.

RiceButt - I try to drink enough fluids but probably not enough 🙄 I'll drink up and see if that helps.

I was told to go in when I was consistently having 3 in 10 minutes lasting at least a minute each and unable to speak through the pain. Although when I went in they still sent me home without examining me

Im 37+4 and I've been up for over an hour my lower back is achy and she's moving loads!
With my first was so fast I didn't really know what was going on.....
But was 9cm when arrived at hospital!
I can't seem to lie on any side now what do painless contractions feel like

I'd just turn up there me after the first time !have your waters leaked at all

Spam88 - another reason why I'm put off going in! I drive and my partner doesn't - so my parents have offered to take us in. Mums on standby but with it being early hours of the morning I don't want to wake her up so she can take us in only to be sent home 🙄 So frustrating

Taraer - to be fair I've had that the last few weeks.. I'm 40 weeks tomorrow.
Painless contractions are just like BH, my stomach was going really hard and tight.. it felt uncomfortable but No pain at all. Nope my waters haven't leaked as far as I'm aware

Sounds like you won't be long .... maybe try hold out a few more hours and phone your mum x

As hard as it is :(

Don't have baths yet, they can slow labour down. Try to keep upright unless you're trying to sleep, take paracetamol and try to bounce on a yoga ball.

It's sounds woo but you'll know when you have to go. Suddenly you'll have had enough and insist.

That say I had 2 home births though the midwives didn't attend until I was 8cm and 10cm dilated. But I got to the point where I was ready for a professional, and you'll just know when too :)

Pickleshickles - eeek I thought baths sped things up 🙃 Midwife on the phone told me to have a bath - I've had 4 in the last 24 hrs 😬 Helps my back pains though.
Contractions have definitely picked up painwise but seemed to have slowed down. Not sure whether it's worth trying to sleep 🤔

There's some evidence to suggest that paracetamol can slow early labour by inhibiting prostaglandins Pickles (although clearly didn't with you. This blog has links.

Defo bounce on a yoga ball if you have one OP! I'd stay at home as long as you can bear to. it's much nicer. Sounds like there will be a baby at some point today!

If you can sleep DEFINITELY sleep OP. Even if it's just cat naps between contractions.

Gunpowder - I don't take any pain relief like that anyway so I've stayed clear! Good to know though. I always said if the pain gets too much I might cave in and take a paracetamol 😉

Hopefully so! Feels like I've been waiting a million years ha.

Trying to sleep - not happening unfortunately 😞

It's a good sign. Means it's real labour!

Okay - new question.
Anyone have any ways to cope with the pain of contractions?!! Again I wouldn't say they're unbearable but they're definitely not pleasant at the moment 🙂 Ideally natural remedies

My MW with DD2 advised watching a box set of something easy to concentrate on (pausing for contractions) and seeing if you could get through 'just one more episode' to make labour pass quicker. I didn't try it but might do this next time.