In labour - homebirth

[GreyGemini]

Hey all. 41+3

First post

An extremely tired labouring mum here waiting to give birth. I'm planning on a homebirth and have been having contractions every 20 mins or so since 3:30am today, it's now just after midnight and I am shattered. I've had 2 sweeps within 3 days, lost my bloody plug etc (still losing it) waters haven't broken but they didn't until pushing with first baby.

Anyone else had a long early labour? I've no idea how dilated I am at this point but I know it's too soon to call midwife. I was 2cm dilated at the sweep I believe. Contractions getting harder to deal with so just going in a deep bath. Will struggle if this phase lasts a few days?! I have a birth pool but not sure when to fill it. 2nd baby after 8 years and honestly that one seemed more straightforward.

This is my first homebirth. Not sure what I'm after really but can't sleep and needing some support as OH is sleeping.

Thanks

Just wanted to wish you well.
I had my first (and only) son 8 years ago and he was born at 41+1 and the labour seemed to take forever! I can empathise!
Please call your midwife if you feel the contractions getting to a point where you are struggling with the pain and feel overwhelmed. I wish you well, all the best to you. Please update me when baby has arrived!

Good luck I hope your baby is here by the morning

First labour was long and tough (48 hours from sweep to baby), 8 year gap then second labour was hard but shorter (waters broke, then following day contractions started then 8 hours).

Good luck. How amazing your baby will be here soon! Your body has done this before and knows what to do. I had home birth with 3rd and it was amazing at home x

Aw good luck. I hope everything goes nice and quickly for you now. For me the water did wonders easing contraction pains so a bath is a good idea. How far apart are your contractions? Are they getting closer and longer? It might not be very long to go now.

Wishing you an easy labour. It might be an idea to let Midwife know that you in labour.

Hi @GreyGemini

I’m currently 40+3 with dd3 awaiting my second homebirth.

I can’t advise too much on the long labours but I think it might be a good idea to start filling the pool. If anything it gives you something to do and is a mark of progress isn’t it?

Don’t be afraid to wake your DP up if you need support, that’s what they’re there for!

Good luck

Wow I wasn't expecting replies this late, thank you all!

I don't know how to reply individually yet as new to this, but read Mumsnet a LOT the last few months.

I'm in the bath now and it felt amazing getting in but when contractions come I feel a bit stuck. I'm using Freya app to time and listen to some positive affirmations. So last few contractions have been 6 mins apart. One is coming now it will be my 3rd in a row at 6mins.

Before that they have been between 9-11 mins apart. Before that, up to 20 mins.

Going to wake partner up now to fill pool and phone midwife I think!!?

Wow how exciting! Hope it goes smoothly and baby is here soon xx

How exciting! Just to say though the 5min thing doesn’t apply to everyone, mine were 5mins apart at 2pm in my last labour, and 2-3mins apart from around 5pm but she wasn’t born until midnight! Try and rest and relax, take paracetamol and see if it takes the edge off. I always know when I need to get into the pool (3waterbirths) as I’m almost in tears and making moaning/mooing sounds with each contraction!

Have you woken DP now? Get that pool filled and jump in. You've got this. Your body is doing what it needs to do. Our bodies are AMAZING

He's up and attempting to fill the pool. Technical difficulty with the hose not carrying the water. The contractions are making me want to cry I feel like I'm going to vomit and my legs are shaking. I usually have a high pain threshold! Thanks all x

Make sure he remembers to put warm water in - my husband panicked & they ended up boiling pans of water to get the freezing pool warm!!

keep going; you can do this & you know that because you are doing it.

It always helped me to remember that the panic/can’t cope moment was (for me) a sign I was in transition & the end was in sight.

Good luck

How are you getting on @GreyGemini? I hope it’s going well!

Cant offer any advice etc as I am new to the while pregnancy thing but wanted to send love and encouragement and say you are doing great and hope you are doing ok 💙💙💙

Ooh good luck @GreyGemini!!! Hope everything is going smoothly

He was born this am, god knows what time it was. 7lb13, thank you all so much xxx

Oh wow, congratulations!!! I hope everything went smoothly and you are both well.

Can I ask though, I didn’t think they were allowing home births at this time?

Congratulations, hope everything went ok!

Can I ask though, I didn’t think they were allowing home births at this time?

It depends on your area, they never stopped offering them where I am, just made it clear to people who planned them that if last minute resourcing didn't allow it you might have to go into hospital

Congrats OP!

Ah what a lovely thread! Congratulations and well done OP!! Xxx

Congratulations!! As soon as you said you felt sick I didn't think it would be long. How amazing 🥰

All settled now, feeling sore. Baby sleeping in the snuzpod and I can't sleep because I keep looking at him lol! Yes I'm South Wales and homebirths were still fine. Also I've heard many trusts are reinstating them so fingers crossed! 1am midwife came and I was 6cm, then 4am I was ready to push and he came at 4:24am! Felt like an eternity. So surreal I bawled my eyes out . Xx

Aww OP congrats!!! Lovely thread glad it all went well for you. Now get some rest xx

Ah how exciting, congratulations!

Congratulations!