Stop start labour, fed up 40 weeks

[Em0179]

Hi,
I’m 40 weeks today, and for the last 3 weeks every couple of days I’m getting contractions. They come regular, and last for a few hours before stopping.

Last night they happened again. 4 hours at 10 minutes apart and they were uncomfortable with a clear peak and settling. This is my second baby (but admittedly a huge 12 year age gap) my first arrived 2 weeks early and all along mw had said to expect this to follow which hasn’t now helped and added to the feelings of being so fed up. Baby has also been in an unstable lie and had reduced movements so we’ve had a couple of trips up to hospital in the last couple of weeks. He’s finally settled though.

I went to sleep last night and was so disappointed when I realised I’d slept until morning and they’d stopped! I know I have max another 2 weeks but It’s the stop starting more than baby not being here yet that is getting to me.

I have a sweep booked in for Wednesday. When it the contractions go on for hours my thighs and groin (sorry) end up feeling bruised the day after and I just feel really disappointed that it didn’t progress again.

Anyway sorry for the long rant but I needed to vent and I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same?

@Em0179 can’t help at all but I’m 39+4 today and the last two nights have had tightenings and cramping in waves between about 8pm until I go to sleep. They always drift away in the night and then I wake up early full of disappointment that they’ve disappeared overnight. Huge and feeling very ‘done’ now and just want baby to be here. So no helpful advice but definite solidarity!! I have my 40 week appt on Thursday and hoping that if nothings happened by then MW will give me a sweep and book an induction date so I at least have something to work towards (my hospital don’t like you going over 41 weeks so have everything crossed that things get moving sooner rather than later if I’m to avoid induction).

Yeah sounds very similar to me! I try not to get my hopes up now when it starts up but I can’t help it when it’s gone on a few hours. It’s the same here they don’t want us going over 41 weeks, but I’m hoping not to have an induction because other half can’t be there until established and that bothers me more, just feel like it’s never going to get going itself (which I know is unrealistic as he HAS to come out at some point!)

Ps I’d ask for the sweep on Thursday if you’re not offered it, at my last appointment the MW here said it was routine if he’s not here at 40 weeks x

@Em0179 I’m trying to remind myself I can’t be pregnant forever but I know what you mean yep, same here with regard to DH visiting so another reason in the ‘try and avoid induction’ club. I’m just so sick of raspberry leaf tea and sitting on the bloody birthing ball! I know what you mean about getting your hopes up - said to DH that if things aren’t going to get going then I’d rather not have the evening cramping as it just makes me more hopeful :( hopefully we’ll be holding our babies this week - Monday morning, new start! That’s what I’m telling myself anyway...

And thanks - yes definitely going to ask the question if nothing by then. I’m hoping my slightly frazzled very-pregnant-in-a-heatwave look won’t make me look too madly demanding! 😂

I said the same - evening of it and then tired/sore the next day. Looking forward to having him so I can at least go for a walk with the pram as I’m reduced to a shuffle now! I think lockdown has made this whole thing seem much longer.
I need to get in to that positive mindset, too! Last couple of days I’ve been more myself and yesterday I went on a huge nesting purge and everything has been cleaned (again) down to the mesh things on the extractor 😂🙈 today I just feel fed up again.
My sweeps at home on Wednesday so they haven’t given a time - it drives me crazy! It’s the not knowing with everything x