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

It sucks so much when it drags on and on.Sending virtual hugs.
I'm glad you've been checked today as the bleeding would really worry me.
Why did they give you a sweep at 39 weeks?
I had a sweep with my 3rd one to see if that will be enough as I was referred for induction. Nothing happened for 3 days,they broke my waters as my cervix was favourable and 1cm dilated.I was hoping for proper induction (out of curiosity as never had one) but my baby had none of it and was born 2 hours later.
With my 4th I had intense Braxton Hicks for weeks before DDay,then my waters broke,contractions started 30 minutes later and DD apeared an hour later.
All labours are so different,totally unexpected,there is nothing that we can do or prepare us for what will happen.
Try to take it easy and stop thinking about labour.The more rested and less stressed you are the better. Labouring bodies hate tension. Try to spend some time with your first born before you are too busy to do it again.

Good luck! I think your baby will be here by the morning.

I was you 7 years ago, to the T.

I asked for the sweep because id been getting grumbly pains and my cervix was favourable. The worst thing is the not knowing because I have my little boy to think about too! The midwife said I really do need to just relax. That the adrenaline I’m producing is inhibiting labour. So when I start contracting to basically ignore it. Which is what I’m trying to do!

OP I was told the same thing.

So I bought wine. I had a large glass before bed. Poured it at 9pm. Went to bed at 10pm, was woken at 11p by my first contraction and he was in my arms by 03.20.

I had to relax as well, that's why my doula recommended the wine.

That's my parting wisdom for you now.

Thank you!!
I’ve walked round a supermarket for two hours and although I’m not getting regular contractions I am getting a lot of
Period type pains and my lower back really hurts!!! I’m having a little lie down now to relax with a hot water bottle in my back.

Going to take a leaf from your book and try and do the same!!

Good luck Op! How exciting

Aww thank you. If I’m still pregnant this time next week, not so exciting!! Haha!!

Sounds like the baby is back to back, that’s why the majority of the pain is in your back. If you have a ball sit on it and lean forward or lean standing up holding on to your bed for example to try and help the baby to rotate.

Feeling sick/being sick is all normal it means that things are happening, but it could also mean you’re getting dehydrated if you’re not eating or drinking. Try eating little and often and sipping water as someone mentioned below being dehydrated can cause Braxton hics also you need energy for the contractions to work effectively. It’s really important to try and eat and keep hydrated unless the hospital have told you to not eat or drink anything other than water.

Having a warm bath is standard advice as it helps with pain, as is taking 2 paracetamol every 4-6 hours.

If you do lay down, lay on either your left or right side and try putting a pillow between your legs.

There’s not much unfortunately you can do to help it go quicker, you’re better off at home in your own surroundings as the midwife is right adrenaline inhibits contractions. The time to go to hospital is if there’s any change in baby’s movements, the contractions are lasting for up to a minute and occurring every 2-3 minutes, your waters break or if you have any bleeding of fresh blood that is more than the bloody show.

Thanks for your reply! The baby definitely isn’t back to back, I asked her to check today. He’s in a good position, however I’ve been told that I have a retroverted uterus previously so wonder if that’s why my back is hurting?

No baby this morning for me! My back was in AGONY last night and was so bad I felt sick, but went off when DH rubbed it really hard and I put a very hot water bottle on it and lay down. During the night I’ve had a few one off painful contractions but nothing since. I’m trying really hard to relax and think he will come when he’s ready and it’s still days to my due date. But it’s so hard, I really thought he would be here by now!

Just been to the loo and had an enormous show!! I didn’t know they could be so big 😂

Aw! Thought things might have progressed this morning for you.

Yes a tilted uterus may cause back pain, so that could be another reason all of your pain is in your back.

Hopefully things will progress now that you’ve had a show 😊 👶🏼

It’s strange because when my
Actual labour started last time I don’t remember back ache. I remember it in the run up though. It’s back again this morning, quite bad, with some irregular contractions and (so sorry for the tmi) but I’m losing my show almost constantly!!

Are you having fresh blood enough to soak a pad? If so, please go to hospital and get checked out. The show shouldn’t be enough to soak a pad

The sweeps will cause you to lose the mucus plug that's almost a given, however I never had pains after my sweeps. Not significant ones anyway.
So that sounds good!

No not enough to soak a pad, it’s left marks on my pants (sorry again for the tmi, argh) but is like stringy discharge but blood coloured (browny red) when I wipe. Baby is moving lots too I really, really hope this might be it. I’m
So desperate not to be in pain anymore, and to be able to play properly with my little boy and hug him! He keeps catching me with his knees when we hug and my tummy feels horrible, sensitive and irritable. Yuck!!

Also - isn’t back ache up there with one of THOSE pains like ear ache and tooth ache?

Good luck! It's a horrible feeling thinking things are happening and then being left waiting. But every pain and tightening is a step in the right direction.
I'm keeping everything crossed that tonight/early morning things will speed up

Sounds like things are happening, are baby’s movements different to normally what they are? If so please go and get checked out.

Yes backache is awful, have you taken any paracetamol?

Thank you! No movements are definitely normal thankfully I have a low threshold after a little scare earlier in my pregnancy so I do keep an eye on the movements.
My back pain subsides when I lie on my left side or use my hot water bottle so I’ve avoided paracetamol today, but I’ll definitely take some of things get worse. Thank you

How are you doing today?

Thanks for asking! I am ok. I have been up most of the night with my poorly toddler which is just what we all needed! During the night I have quite strong contractions that make me stop what I’m doing, then when I get up I lose lots more plug/bloody show. seems to be a pattern I’ve fallen into! No baby yet.. I know he’ll come when he’s ready, but I am SO ready now haha.

Doesn't sound like it'll be too long now OP!! Sorry you were up with your toddler though. Long walk today?

If I’m honest I’m struggling to even get upstairs I’m sure it’s just the baby’s head engaged now but I have some right shooty dagger pains down there and when doubled with a contraction it REALLY hurts! I’m going to be acting as my toddlers snack and drink fetcher today, and doing the washing, so maybe that’ll help!! The midwife said not to worry too much yet. My due date isn’t till the end of the week so technically I wouldn’t have necessarily had a sweep yet anyway. But still.. I can’t wait to feel semi normal again!!

Ah sorry your little one is sick, maybe it's a blessing in disguise that you don't have a newborn there while there's bugs. Fingers crossed toddler feels better, then you get a good night sleep, then go into labour the next day haha x

Hi Jelly, how's things going 😀