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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Sharp pains at 39+5 😬

431 replies

debbiegtj · 25/09/2018 10:11

For the past 4 weeks I’ve been having regular Braxton Hicks some 6 minutes apart...this is baby no3 but my eldest are 10 and 8 so it’s been a while since my last baby.

Last night I was having windy type pains in my tummy and tightenings. I’ve lost my mucus plug and at my last check up 2cm dilated but able to stretch to 4cm...I’m having contractions regularly today but not very painful! I know baby will be here any minute but it’s so frustrating not knowing how long I’m going to feel like this 😩 so excited to meet my baby girl!
I’m currently eating a whole pineapple bouncing on my ball 😂😂😂 anyone else bored with the wait?? Xxxx

OP posts:
RowenaDedalus · 06/10/2018 19:53

I think the stay on the ward is one of the things I’m the most nervous about regarding childbirth (first time!) so I do feel sorry for you that you’re in hospital and not bundled up in your own bed. However, as you said, you are in the best place.

Have you got the kindle app on your phone? I have horrible insomnia at the moment and keep downloading books onto my phone which is keeping me occupied in the night.

MaverickSnoopy · 06/10/2018 20:12

No I haven't and I've nearly run out of space on my phone too so I can't download anything which is annoying.

I'll be ok - I'm just not very good with staying in hospitals. I'm fine until I'm in and then it all feels too much, like everything is going wrong (no sleep, lack of proper food etc). I've just remembered that I have some millionaires shortbread in my bag though!! Small mercies!!

We're all different though and when I told my friend I was in hospital she said she quite likes it! The midwives so far have been really lovely too. They have even offered to order me some extra food if I need it which is so nice.

I forgot to mention. The midwife that did my sweep said if I carried on bleeding to call MAU but not to go in without talking to them. I tried non stop for an hour and it was constantly engaged (I later found out they were very busy and overstretched). No answer from community midwife so I called 111 who wanted to dispatch an ambulance! Thankfully the community midwife who I left a message for called back and I was able to cancel the ambulance! When I got to MAU they said that they (111) send an ambulance for all pregnant women who are bleeding (even if you're 6 or 7 weeks). I really noticed how stretched the NHS are today. I already knew but I just thought, they can't answer the phone because they're so busy and so the solution is to send an ambulance. Madness.

Foodylicious · 06/10/2018 22:22

Hope you doing ok maverick

I'm kneeling on the floor, leaning against my ball to release the pgp a bit and try to encourage baby to be a bit less back to back

surreygirl1987 · 06/10/2018 23:00

You're right that really IS madness!!!! Hope tonight isn't too bad for you!

afloat · 06/10/2018 23:52

Maverick that is very unfortunate! I hope you get some sleep.

I’m pretty sure I’m in early stages, lost my plug and getting cx every 5 mins or so. Exciting!!

RowenaDedalus · 06/10/2018 23:58

Ooh afloat that sounds more than promising!

IchFliegeNach · 07/10/2018 03:54

A quick update from me - Baby Girl Ich was born earlier today at 7lbs 8oz by c section. Woke up in labour on Sat morning l, went to hospital an hour later and all was flying along until they realised she was breech! No one has picked it up previously.
Anyway, all is well and she was worth the wait 😍
Wishing you all love and luck with your new arrivals and your imminent arrivals xxx

MaverickSnoopy · 07/10/2018 06:45

@IchFliegeNach huge congratulations that's wonderful news!!

@Afloat that sounds incredibly promising! I hope your contractions are better than mine - I had then 3-4 mins yesterday but they've stopped now.

@Foodylicious, great idea about the ball. I've seen that exercise but not done it before. I've never quite believed it could turn a baby but will try it tonight assuming I'm home.

I did actually manage to sleep a bit last night thank god. The bleeding has stopped and observations are fine so I'm hoping the doctor will discharge me today (sooner rather than later). I'm trying not to mentally plan all the things I want to do tonight (just in case they want to keep me in)....cuddles with my children, long hot bath, take away, xfactor catch up (guilty pleasure) and SLEEP! Have arranged for someone to take my eldest to school on Monday so that will give me a bit of respite.

IchFliegeNach · 07/10/2018 06:53

Hope it all comes together @maverick

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 07:25

Congratulations ich wonderful news ❤❤

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 07:31

Hope you are doing ok afloat

maverick fx you are discharged soon and the oxytocin gets flowing once you are more relaxed

Not the end isn't he world I know, but bloody hell my 4yr old woke up at 11pm and couldn't get to sleep till just after 3am.
So was about 3.30 for me. Awake at 6.30
I am knackered and back in bed now he's down stairs with daddy

MaverickSnoopy · 07/10/2018 08:01

Oh no foodylicious! Do you do what I do? Finally get back into bed, know you should try and sleep but end up on MN?! Hope you feel better later. Have a hot bubble bath and make things easy today.

afloat · 07/10/2018 08:31

@Foodylicious that's horrible! nap if you can!

@MaverickSnoopy hope you get discharged ASAP and can get home to sleep

@IchFliegeNach Congratulations!! Have a good recovery.

I'm still at home - cx continued to be fairly mild through the night and continue to lose a little plug, I managed to sleep about 5 hours which is a relief. I was worried that I'd be stuck in that middle ground of not sleeping and not progressing and tire myself out. I don't feel very sociable today and want to lock myself in my bedroom (my parents are staying to care for my DD, we live abroad so had no-one else to turn to).

MaverickSnoopy · 07/10/2018 10:02

Afloat can you stay in your room? Say you're not feeling well and need to rest. After all your parents are there to look after your DD, presumably to give you a rest. So take advantage. Not sure about you but even when people come to help, I have the overwhelming urge to carry on as normal so not to be an inconvenience. Usually though, people who come to help, want to help.

MaverickSnoopy · 07/10/2018 16:23

I was discharged late morning and have been at my parents house since, being looked after. Ironically just as I was leaving the hospital I think I had my show, followed by contractions....but nothing since.

I can't believe how on/off this has been!!

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 16:44

I share your frustrations maverick last night's tightenings were quite a bit stronger and have been at times all day today , then settle right down again.

Really not sure whether to have a sweep tomorrow if it's offered

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 16:45

One of my worries is that my appt is at 2.15 and I have to leave it on tine at 2.45 to pick LO up from school.
If it does start something I'm not sure how I will cope

MaverickSnoopy · 07/10/2018 17:46

@Foodylicious I had 3 sweeps with my second and they did nothing at all. I had some cramps bit didn't bleed.

This time round I've had one sweep and had about 10ml of blood which apparently is more than they would like. Of course there are probably lots of varying factors but I can say with great confidence that the one I had yesterday was much more vigorous than any of the ones I had in my last pregnancy. The midwives at the hospital kept saying "your midwife has probably just given you a very good sweep and moved things along". I've since had lots of contractions, had what I think is my show and had a clear out x 2.

So I think it could depend on the force that the midwife uses as to the success that is gained. I have decided I won't be having another one! I don't want to go through that again. I'm also not yet in active labour although I know I'm progressing.

So it's a judgement call really. The midwife said to me after the sweep to walk around to get things moving so I'd say as long as you're home within an hour or so you'll probably be ok. I was in quite a bit of pain after the sweep though - felt like I'd been punched in the vag and had AWFUL cramps that a hot water bottle and painkillers couldn't shift. Everyone is different though and you may get a less enthusiastic midwife.

If I've not gone into labour by 41 weeks then I'll ask the midwife to examine me because I'd like to know how I'm progressing.

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 21:45

Hope everyone is doing ok?

RowenaDedalus · 08/10/2018 06:05

Still pregnant!

MaverickSnoopy · 08/10/2018 06:35

No baby here.

Foodylicious · 08/10/2018 06:41

Same.

Had contractions every 10 mins all night with a bit of a show and painful enough to stop me sleeping till after 3am, then have eased off a bit. Still regular I think and disturbing me but I was able to sleep on and off.

Just up now with LO and OH has gone to work.

Hope we all have a good day!
I

MaverickSnoopy · 08/10/2018 08:13

Good that you managed to get some sleep. I've just had a breakfast of porridge for some energy. I've never experienced early labour like this, so on/off, quite tiring. Maybe dig out a hot water bottle and try and rest when you can. Good luck with your sweep today if you have one.

RowenaDedalus · 08/10/2018 09:36

Got another sweep this morning. Not sure what the point is really!
A friend of mine in another area is being induced at just 41 weeks because that’s their policy... I wish that was the policy where I am as I’m 41 now!

RowenaDedalus · 08/10/2018 09:36

Porridge sounds like a sensible idea Maverick. You’ll need that slow release energy later, I hope!