Any midwives or experts around?

[JellycatElfie]

I’ve made a few threads already so apologies for that - however. I had a sweep on Wednesday and was 2cm, cervix quite soft but posterior. Had some pains and a bloody show Wednesday night. I woke up feeling very wet and went in Thursday morning to check if it was amniotic fluid (they said it wasn’t) the midwife examined me and said I’m still 2cm, cervix very soft now and also ‘central’ or towards the front?? I felt sick and achy yesterday so napped on the sofa then was having really bad back pain for around 8 hours last night with Braxton Hicks/contractions ?? Every 4-6 minutes. They were hurting low in my belly and around my back and legs. I eventually had to lie down because I felt so sick, and when I woke up this morning I’m having just sore contractions again but nothing terrible.
So my question is how can I speed things up?? I was in slow labour for 2 days previously but this seems worse. This is my third day of physically not being able to eat, diarrhoea, stomach pains and nausea. I’m not really getting any sleep. They’ve booked me for another sweep tomorrow morning, but I’m absolutely dreading having another ‘quiet’ boring day today then having pains again all tonight! When I was in labour with my first it was stop start and eventually went into full blown labour when my waters broke and baby was born 3 hours later!!! I suppose I am anxious because I want to get to the hospital on time. I also forgot to say on the ctg monitor yesterday I was having tightenings but they weren’t regular. At what point will they intervene? I’m not able to do anything, even eating and sleeping are impossible. Will they break my waters at some point for me? They said they were very low and ‘could’ be broken they were so close. Any tips please.. I’m miserable

When is your due date? Sounds miserable, if you are getting more contraction type pains I'd go in to be monitored again.

Just been to the loo and had to wipe 4 times - tons of old brown blood clumped together came out. Going to lie down for half an hour because my backs hurting me again..

I’m 39 wks today. I had the sweep because I went into slow labour with my first and my cervix was favourable.
The back pain is constant and the sort of pain that makes you feel/be sick!

It really sounds like things are on the move for you. I would go for a walk today and do some moving around on your birthday ball x

Obviously I mean birthing ball but hopefully it will be a birthday!!

How long could this continue for? I have no problems being in pain but the lack of sleep and being able to eat and drink is taking it’s toll now. Whenever I speak to the hospital they are only really bothered about asking if my waters have gone and if my contractions are regular. They weren’t regular last time (12 mins apart!!) and my first was born in 4 hours of them!!

More bloody discharge and pain every time I stand up. Need to have a shower but scared to move if I’m Honest I feel that sick and shaky.

If you are dehydrated, you can end up having contractions and pain.

When did you last eat or drink? Have you had your urine dipped recently?

I think that you should contact your midwife for a check in person as it does not sound normal to feel so sick and shakey. They can check your urine etc to make sure you are ok.

I think I am probably dehydrated but they did dip my urine and do my obs yesterday morning and everything was fine. Every time I go to the loo there’s more bloody discharge - is that normal?

I’ve wiped about six times this morning and there’s been blood stained or brown flooding the tissue. It does look dischargey and thick tho.

In answer to the how to speed it up part, according to daisy birthing classes you need to keep the babies head on the cervix - so don’t lie down, stay upright and bounce on a ball or go for a walk.
However, if I felt as crap as you do and was getting the discharge I would personally want it checked out, and just rick up at hospital/midwife with a breezy ‘I’m a bit worried, can you just check me over’ approach

I’ll be brutally honest and say every time I’ve phoned the hospital they’ve made me feel stupid except for once yesterday I had a lovely midwife. When I thought my waters were leaking they asked me to phone back every 2 hours (three times) then someone else answered the phone and said ‘this is the fourth call you’ve made to us isn’t it??’ when I called last night I explained I never had regular contractions first time but as soon as my waters broke they were back to back. She snapped what do you mean back to back?! Have a soak in the bath, I’m here all night ring again if you need to. Bye!

That’s crap. Is your community midwife approachable? And how far is it to hospital (or go if you have a midwife there?).
Can you just turn up somewhere I mean (to check babies heart rate/do a urine dip test type stuff)

My community midwife is off this week Sod’s law! We have a unit we have to ring before we go. The baby’s been quieter this morning so I’m going to monitor movements for an hour (I’ve been asleep for half an hour and I’m shower so really need to take some time to concentrate) then I’ll be going to the hospital if he doesn’t move as usual. Thank you though x

I would definitely go and get checked. I didn't have regular contractions with my 2nd until 30 minutes before he was born x

How are you now

I had a very long early labour - 3 days, all together. It turned out my bladder was full and not emptying, it was inflamed and swollen shut. That meant the baby's head was not making contact with the cervix which meant I was 1-2 cm for three days before they gave me a catheter and broke my waters. I would get yourself checked out and raise that as a possible issue.

Hi jelly I have just read this feed, I hope your at the hospital and everything is running as smoothly as labour can. It sounds like your progressing... 😀

Hi all. Thanks for the replies. Movements normal again but have napped on the sofa for an hour. Now I’m awake my back, tummy and legs are starting to hurt again, and I feel very sick, but no contractions so far I don’t think?? this happened yesterday and they started about half 4 so we’ll see..

I’ve had some mild contractions for half an hour.. then they stopped again. Now I just have nasty back ache again I have another sweep tomorrow and then I’m going for a long walk!!!

Try not to lie or lean back too much - if bubba is back to back with you it hurts more and can take longer so ideally you want his back on your belly button - cos of gravity his heaviest part is the bum, so if you lounge backwards baby will be more inclined to go back to back. Now is an ideal time to scrub the kitchen floor
Or at least try an hang out on all fours or draped over a beanbag - with your belly toward the floor.
Good luck 😁

How are you this morning?

If I could mke a change to current maternity practice I would stop unnecessary stretch and sweeps. They create more problems than they solve. You are much more likely to end up with ruptured membranes and need induction with increased risk of infection. You are not in labour because the body is not ready. The baby is likely not in position and if you force labour you end up with a malposition and increaed risk of lengthy and assisted delivery. Your body is getting mixed messages so you contract without progress. Everything has it's uses but routine sweeps are not a good idea.

Hi. I’ve had another sweep and they’ve said my body is definitely preparing for labour - cervix thin and starting to dilate. It seems to have triggered some painful contractions so guess it’s just a waiting game.