Think I'm in labour!

[chickensoup23]

I really should know what's happening as this is DC2, but panic is setting in so need some people to chat to! Should start by saying I'm 40+2 today!
I've had stop / start contractions since Monday, usually every other night but pain is probably a 2/10.

However I was woken up at 3am with backache and have been timing since. Contractions are like a period pain In my back and moving round to the front every 5 mins. Been trying to get back to sleep but can't - less about the pain and more that I'm panicking. Just been to the toilet and wiped and have had my bloody show. I'm having a bit of a meltdown about doing it all again (very traumatic birth with DC1!) and also getting parents to come and pick my child up if it's all a False alarm, coupled with not wanting to leave it too late - arghhhh!

@Roselilly36

Don’t hang about OP, second babies can arrive very quickly, as I know from experience.

Yip!

First birth 36+ hours. Second 3 hours.

Good luck OP . With second baby I wanted to stay home as long as possible but DH was panicking. DD was born just over an hour after getting to the hospital so don’t wait too long x

Agree - both my labours were long and drawn out. Second time like you I was more prepared for this though, hung out at home, stayed active and managed to get admitted the first time I went in to hospital. Just follow your instincts and do what feels right for you x

Okay thanks - noted!! Going to call parents now to pick up DC1 and call the hospital. I think I'm just tainted from the first time which went off and on for 3 days!
Thanks all!

Will be thinking of you OP! What an exciting day for your family! How old is DC1? Are they excited to become a big brother/sister?

Good luck!! I agree- don’t hang about. I was in Labour 11 hours with me first... 1.5 hours with my second!!!

It was like giving birth to a concord. I got to the hospital and he was born 15 minutes later.

Oh good luck! My first was traumatic and second was fine. Hope you are progressing well!

Same here, can't even remember how long with my first but went on for ages... second 4 hours from 5 minute contractions... good luck op, hope it goes quickly for you

Very jealous of all these fast second labours, my first started with regular, painful contractions on the Saturday, baby finally arrived on the Tuesday (after being sent home twice on the Sunday and only being admitted by the skin of my teeth on the Monday)
Second, exactly the same. Regular, painful contractions from Friday, baby eventually arrived on Monday evening (after being admitted by the skin of my teeth on the Monday morning). Pushing phase was 12 and 7 minutes respectively.
But whatever way things develop OP, just keep focused on the fact the baby is coming and will be in your arms soon

How exciting! Good luck!

I know all births are different and everybody is different but I had quite a scary 1st birth - ventouse, resuscitation trolley, roomful of people etc etc but my 2nd one was the complete opposite! Just gas and air and a lovely student midwife. Couldn't have been more different!

Good luck OP. I agree with the comments about not hanging around with second babies. My first took days of niggling contractions and 8 hours of active labour. My second a few weeks ago I went from 1 cm dilated to her being born within 1.5 h.

Good luck OP! I'm on baby no.2 now (only 13 weeks atm) and you're getting me excited!!!

You ladies are giving me the fear - first due in a few weeks and you all making it sound like it’s going to be horrendous. 😭😭😭

How exciting, wishing you all the best

Absolutely not horrendous @Analysethat it's just that the next time round is usually so much easier/quicker!

@Analysethat, every woman / baby / birth is different! I have had five DC and #5 was my worst birth!

I would suggest doing lots of reading, being informed about the different stages etc so that you understand what is going on (i didn't for example know about the transition stage before i had dc1) and also being open to different pain relief etc

@Analysethat not always. My first was quite long - went in Sunday morning as some of my waters went. Baby was born Monday lunchtime. Was the most fantastic experience. Wonderful midwives. Painful but doable on gas and air. They were the most powerful moments/hours of my life.

Second ds was a bit like op - false labour for 3 or 4 nights. Labour pains early evening on the night, went to bed and woke up at 12 thinking it must have been more false labour. Went from seemingly nothing at midnight to full on contractions by 1.00 am, in to hospital by 2.00 am born after 3 pushes by 3 am. The false labour, although tedious and frustrating was my body preparing (so I believe). Was a very easy labour and birth.

I loved every moment of each birth. Even the painful contractions as it meant with each contraction I was one bit closer to meeting my baby.

Good luck Op. hope to hear of baby's safe arrival soon.

@chickensoup23 how are you doing? Xxx

@Analysethat

You ladies are giving me the fear - first due in a few weeks and you all making it sound like it’s going to be horrendous. 😭😭😭

I’m sorry if we’ve worried you. I was 21 and had no idea what the fuck was happening when I had my first.

I had my second at 36 and the difference was amazing, most notably because I’d taken the time to inform myself. I completed a hypnobirthing course and understood what my body was doing.

It’s makes a massive difference.

Awww a little Easter babe!!

If you’re reading I wish you lots of luck

Thanks for the comments ladies - I’m just a worrier lol. Hopefully it will be okay.

OP - hope everything goes well and by this time tomorrow you have a wee bundle of joy in your arms.

I’m so jealous!! 40+2 here and so fed up!

This is my second and my first labour was less than an hour so I definitely won’t be leaving it too late- if it ever starts!!

Lots of love OP

Any updates @chickensoup23? 😁

It does sound as though you are in labour. You've done it before so no advice from me except stay on your feet, moving about, for as long as you can before going in to hospital.

Wonderful!

Good luck and I'm everyone looks forward to some good news from you before too long.

@Analysethat

You ladies are giving me the fear - first due in a few weeks and you all making it sound like it’s going to be horrendous. 😭😭😭

Mine wasn't horrendous, it was a doddle. I was in hospital two hours before giving birth. You'll be fine.

It's so exciting.