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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

The long wait for labour

113 replies

Catlover8926 · 30/04/2021 17:38

Does anyone want to join me in the longgg wait for labour? I’m 38 weeks but have been having braxton hicks for WEEKS which aren’t doing anything to my cervix. I’m exhausted and just want my waters to burst so I can get it over with and meet baby! Anyone else?

OP posts:
fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 18:25

Sorry, this might be a silly question but how do you know if it's tightening a, Braxton Hicks or just the baby moving?

fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 18:26

Finally getting hospital bags packed tonight, but hopefully won't need it, I'm planning on a home birth. Is anyone else?

lucymagoo · 04/05/2021 18:29

@fattymumbum

Sorry, this might be a silly question but how do you know if it's tightening a, Braxton Hicks or just the baby moving?
No this is how I feel, I have absolutely no idea Grin sometimes I think I might be having a BH/tightening but could also just be the baby stretching out
Original poster
Catlover8926 · 04/05/2021 18:35

@fattymumbum very jealous of your home birth! I’m high risk so not allowed one. @lucymagoobthe only difference I found was braxton hicks stop when you lie down/bath etc and don’t last as long as a full contraction.

OP posts:
fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 18:44

Ah good, I'm glad I'm not the only one. Trying not to dwell on anything, it's so much easier when I don't think about them!!!!

fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 18:46

@Catlover8932, it's a shame if you're high risk. I wanted one the first time but do didn't. Convinced him to get on board and feel so much more relaxed. Actually excited about labour!!!

whattocallhim · 04/05/2021 18:54

Hello can I join for a moan 😂
37+4, being induced at 40 weeks if nothing before then. Been having horrendous Braxtons for weeks. The last couple of days it feels as if things have become even more uncomfortable, baby was already 1/5 if that's what they call it, and this morning I had pains a bit like cystitis all morning but didn't come to anything. Been feeling a bit restless too. No sign of mucus or show or anything.

Lou98 · 04/05/2021 19:07

Can I join too please! 😁 I'm 37+2 but have SPD so very uncomfortable and in a lot of pain!

I'm also not sure whether I've been having braxton hicks tightening or just the baby stretching! This is my first so not sure what to expect.

Also, did everyone know with their first when their waters had gone? (Probably tmi) Today I've had a couple of "leaks" but I think it's just discharge but it got me thinking about how you would know the difference between discharge and waters?

whattocallhim · 04/05/2021 19:14

I think the waters smell a bit sweet if that helps? Mine went during my last labour with a theatrical gush all over the birthing room floor 😂

AyyX · 04/05/2021 19:23

@Lou98 I think you’ll be able to tell if your waters break, it’s a gush of water and it feels warm. I had mine broken and it felt very warm and weird. Wouldn’t feel like a leak it actually feels like an ocean just came out of you 😂

Lou98 · 04/05/2021 19:32

@whattocallhim ah thank you! 😂

@AyyX see that was what I'd always assumed but a lot of what I've read has said that it can either be a gush at once or can trickle out throughout the day so that got me a bit paranoid 🙈

Moorelewis · 04/05/2021 19:41

Can I join? 38+6 today. Was induced with my first at 40 weeks. Have a feeling this one will be late! I've had no signs and no Braxton hicks or anything.

fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 19:58

@lou98. My waters went the first time after my induction. I thought I was weeing and had no bladder control. I started having contractions and thought they were just cramps. Everytime "wee" would leak out. I was walking the whole time outside. The Midwife later found me at 10cm and said must have been the waters because they leaked slowly sometimes.

I'm sure I feel a bit of leaking now but sometimes it's discharge, and again because the head is so low, but I'm presuming it's not my waters because it's not as much and it was every 5-10mins, not a few hours between those feeling as I get now.

I hope that helps.

The first time I went into labour I'd read so much about it, I was so informed and done hypnobirthing, and I bypassed all the signs, even pushing for a poo!!!

Lou98 · 04/05/2021 20:22

@fattymumbum ah that's very helpful, thank you!
I'm sure it is just discharge I'm feeling as like you, it's every few hours rather than close together and it isn't loads, it just feels like leaking. It just got me thinking about whether when it happens you just know that's what's happening or not😂

I just have no idea what to expect and how to know when I'm in labour, I'm just hoping I'll know once the time comes!

fattymumbum · 04/05/2021 21:50

@Lou98 I know that's what everyone told me.

But when I went for my first pessary at induction, they said I might get cramps, so all the contractions I thought were cramps. They never even noticed until the next check and I was rolling around on the bed because I couldn't keep still because I was fully dilated. So it is definitely possible to not know!!!!!

If you worry about it though it'll definitely be worse, they signs were all there, I just brushed them all off for different reasons. My partner didn't question it because I'm a health professional, so he presumed I'd know!

BeeMakesTea · 04/05/2021 23:38

@Catlover8926 been having them on and off all day today but pretty sure it’s just Braxton Hicks. Had no other signs. Finding it so hard just waiting and constantly being alert to every twinge!
@fattymumbum sometimes it is hard to tell but I find BH are over a wider area like the whole lower part of my bump and lasts longer, whereas baby stretching tends to be in a smaller spot and not for as long.
@Lou98 with my first the waters was more of a trickle than a big gush! I was pretty sure it was my waters as it kind of came out really suddenly but there wasn’t loads of it, I assume the rest came out later when I was in the birthing pool.

StrawberriCream · 05/05/2021 08:42

Due tomorrow, my older kids are certain baby will be late, my littlest who is 6 has been telling it to come now, she doesn't think she left directions so she's sorry about that but the way out is down 😂

whattocallhim · 05/05/2021 12:31

How's everyone feeling today? I'm still having stabby pains but nothing's happening. Have the midwife today, if I mention it will she examine me? I would like to be examined but don't want to be told to go to hospital instead as it's a bit of a trek away and I really don't think anything exciting is happening

Twobecomingthreeplusthedog · 05/05/2021 12:43

Thinking of you all - 37+4 here. PGP since week 30 and acid reflux that thankfully omeprazole has stopped.

Feeling so heavy, everything hurts, all I want to do is clean the house but have no energy at all.

Asked my midwife yesterday if I could have a sweep at 39+6 as she only works tues and fri and my due date is a Saturday but she said I have to wait until the following Tuesday Hmm

Really hoping he makes an appearance sometime next week!

Twobecomingthreeplusthedog · 05/05/2021 12:45

Forgot to say I had a Hollywood wax yesterday, hoping the shock of that after so many months of lockdown might shock baby into labour - no such luck...!

AyyX · 05/05/2021 13:37

@Twobecomingthreeplusthedog

Forgot to say I had a Hollywood wax yesterday, hoping the shock of that after so many months of lockdown might shock baby into labour - no such luck...!
I had one the first week lockdown eased... painful!!!!!!!
Twobecomingthreeplusthedog · 05/05/2021 13:47

@AyyX I’ve had to use a lady shave since November and it had grown back SO thick. I figured I’d prepare myself for labour with the pain of that first. Feel so much better now I don’t have a jungle to deal with.

AyyX · 05/05/2021 13:51

@Twobecomingthreeplusthedog I refuse to shave 😂 I hate the feeling when it grows back! Haven’t shaved for yearssss. I waited since December to get a wax and I did trim it a couple times. I’ve noticed the last two waxes I had down there my skin ripped off a bit.. both while pregnant. Usually it’s fine, could it be that my skin is thinner / more sensitive while pregnant?!
My friend goes to the same place and it’s never happened to her and also never happened to me before until this pregnancy. Been going there for ages now

Twobecomingthreeplusthedog · 05/05/2021 15:26

@AyyX I regretted it instantly. Had prickly, stubbly, horrible rash to contend with. Never again.

It could well be due to pregnancy. I did a lot of research yesterday and a lot of women said it hurt way more when pregnant as the area was more swollen and sensitive. I was definitely more aware of the heat of the wax at times when previously it wouldn’t have bothered me.

No idea if I have a vaginal birth how long it’ll be before I feel healed enough to make a return visit Grin

AyyX · 05/05/2021 16:01

Sorry to everyone else that this has become a waxing talk 😂😂

@Twobecomingthreeplusthedog I didn’t stop bleeding after birth with my first one until 8 weeks later.. so if this birth is the same then I’ll have to wait at least 8 weeks before I can get another wax 😬

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