Overdue, multiple sweeps, fed up

[mammmmmma]

Coming here to vent - anyone else in the same boat? I can't sleep, I'm in pain, I've had 2 sweeps that didn't do much, and my body has been pretending to go into labour a few times over the last couple of weeks. Every time I see a midwife they tell me I'm "just about" in labour but nothing is progressing. I really don't want to be induced but if nothing happens soon I'll have to be.

Anyone else? Or any positive stories to keep me going?

My waters have gone!!! No pains yet though but mine was definitely dramatic, gush everywhere!! Haha

Ahhh I'm sooo jealous! Good luck! Hopefully contractions will be not far away. Try to eat and rest in the meantime cos whatever happens you are having a baby in the next 48 hours!!! Keep us posted.

I keep having contractions but just not getting anywhere with them! Didn't get to sleep til about 2 because of them and more again this morning. Wouldn't mind if they were establishing a real pattern but although they are very frequent they are all over the place. Never had anything like this with my other 2, looks like it is going to be a long old labour (first was 7 hours from first contraction to baby born, second was 5 hours).

Nice one RachShad! Yes keep us posted! What were you doing when your waters went? Am trying to rack my brain as to what else I can do to get things going!

At least the contractions are early signs that things are gearing up Muststop, that’s a really good sign so despair not! Am sure you won’t be far off a regular pattern now. All quiet for me except baby’s normal movement pattern and midwife apt yesterday confirmed baby v happy in there (I’m thinking, maybe too happy!)

Shall we try to distract ourselves today perhaps? (I’m wondering if I’m focusing to much on it, a bit like a watched pot...)

Yeah I'm going to try and rest as much as I can now before things start moving. I'm booked in for an induction at 8am if nothing happens before then.
Ahhh so annoying about your contractions being all over the place though, hopefully they start to move into more of a regular pattern soon, are they very painful? I've not had one pain yet 🙈
@Jellyfishnchips I just woke up, I stood up to get out of bed and it was just a huge gush everywhere! But like said previously ever since then they're just trickling away every time I stand up!! Yeah I kept trying to keep busy all the time too, but it's really hard to distract yourself, it seems to be all you can think about isn't it haha

How’s it going RachShad, any contractions yet?

Gosh, the gush(!!) am mentally trying to prepare for this! Sleeping on an incontinence pad and bath mat next to bed just in case!

Hmmm I think so yes, Im getting some pains maybe every 6 mins?! There not really hurting too much though so I don't think I will ring until they're bad? Ahh I know its so annoying waiting wondering when it will happen isn't it! I didnt think mine would break for some reason but its took me by surprise haha. @Jellyfishnchips how far on are you now?

Ate my dinner miserably and trying not to cry tb honest 😞 nothing happening, no stirrings. 41 weeks on paper and 40+ 1 according to my dates. Seem to switch between feeling calm and resolved to downright miserable every few days, the longer it goes on. Just wish labour would start…

Every 6 mins sounds promising but yeah I would probably hold off calling it in til they were more intense and a bit closer.

We are now trying to get through to triage as they have got quite a bit more intense and are 3 minutes apart. But I'm not sure as I can still talk through them. My worry is we're an hour away.

Tried to call triage was put in a 'your call is very important to us queue' and then hung up on!!! Sat down and now they seem to have slowed down again! Argh!

Fairly sure my waters have started to leak too, just minus the hollywood gush!

@Jellyfishnchips I'm sorry! Its so rubbish. I had a sob this morning too after my terrible night. And I'm not as far along as you! These last weeks are so hard, I was a complete mess for the last 2 weeks of my first so I completely understand how you feel.

I know its not much help but try to do something to enjoy the last few nights of the time just the two of you. And lots of lie ins!!

Thanks Muststop, thanks for the encouragement! It means a lot to not be the only one finding getting to the finish line a hard (and demoralising at times) slog. Frustrating the finish line also seems to keep shifting further away, like some kind of pregnancy mirage torture! Ah well, it’s no. 2 baby so no break or lie ins here(!) looking after an energetic toddler full time, but am thankful DH works from home and so I can grab the odd rest break when he’s free to take over child care.

How did you get on with triage? Hope the trip to hospital wasn’t too uncomfortable and that things continue to progress well for you there!

Ah sorry! I'm not sure why I assumed it was your first! Indeed, if you already have a toddler you'll probably get more rest while in labour!

Well my waters have gone but not the bit on top of babies head. But I'm only 2-3cm dilated. They are very aware of the distance so they are giving me a couple of hours (and gave me another sweep) to see how things progress. Contractions (while I'm upright) are about 2-3 mins apart and I'm properly having to breathe through them and use the tens machine.

Really really don't want to go home! I don't know how I'd know when to come back. Hope they let me stay.

The lady next to me wanted to try the birth pool too so I'm racing her! (Only one in the midwife unit).

Oh I hope they let you stay there! Driving in labour is not fun, more so if the travel time is long.

How are you getting on this morning?

Haha yes, labour should feel like a break! At least am well prepped for the sleep dep. this time, said DD was up 6 times last night! 🤦‍♀️

And hope you won the race to the birth pool!

@Jellyfishnchips

And hope you won the race to the birth pool!

I did not. After 4 hours I hadn't progressed, despite much stronger contractions. So we went home, by which time I was bordering on coping. Tried to go to bed, tried s bath, tried shower. Gave up and went back to triage 5 hours later with high intesnity contractions 2-3 mins apart and lots of pressure. Was still only 4cm but that got me onto midwife unit. But someone had besten me to the pool.

It was a bit of a slog. And i very nearly begged for an epidural several times but she finally arrived at lumchtime today.

She's perfect.

@Jellyfishnchips how are you getting on? Anything yet?

Aw well done Muststop for coming through all that, superstar mum! 👏 Congratulations on your baby girl! Hope you get a chance to rest up today when you can. Sorry you didn’t get in the pool in the end but that’s all behind you now and you can have a nice bath instead ☺️ Did you need stitches lovely?

Ah well… in a word… Nope! I think my comfy little bean is going for some kind of world record! New tactic, have woken up happy, DH has day off (yessss!) and DD in a lovely bouncy joyful mood so going to muck about in the garden with paddling pool and try to forget (as much as poss anyway!) am pregnant, distract distract(!) and just have fun with my favourite crew 😁 x

Hey all, I’m in the same boat 🤦‍♀️ 40+3 today and have had two sweeps - first wasn’t successful due to cervix not being ready but at today’s one it was softer and there was some effacement, although not an ‘amazing sweep’ (MW’s words).

Had a session of acupuncture the other day and def had some movements after it and felt closer, with cramping/braxton hicks although perhaps that’s just the cervix very slowly getting ready..

Have a feeling this baby will follow his dad who is perpetually late 😂

Ah welcome KiraCeleste! Am so glad you’ve joined, was starting to feel a bit lonely last- man-standing here! I’m also 40+3 according to my dates (41+2 on paper but think this is way off). Haven’t had a sweep yet but am considering getting on to try and get things moving. Did you find the sweep painful? How are you finding big bump life?

@Jellyfishnchips hey there, yes so good to have another mum to be going through the same thing! 🥳 I found the sweep about as uncomfortable as a smear test, so if you can cope with that you should be ok 👍 I’m not too funny about being checked out ‘down there’ anyway but I know some people are. I definitely liked getting some feedback on where I’m at - it was disheartening at first, but I appreciate knowing the baby is prob very unlikely to come this weekend- giving me a bit more time to sort stuff out! Has your MW suggested one yet? How do you feel about having an induction - is that a definite no?

Big bump life is haaard, especially in this heat! 🥵 How about you? Im finding it increasingly hard to even get out of bed!

@Jellyfishnchips re. sweeps, having just had 3 in a few days I found they got more painful the more productive they were. My first was pretty mild, uncomfortable at most, second (which was the successful one) was much longer and bordered on painful. The one that was done during my exam while in labour (to try and encourage things along) was downright sore, but by that point my cervix was so sensitive.

No stitches, and just two very very small tears which don't sting at all so must be small. I am very lucky as I pushed baby out in 3 mins and 4 (very very loud, shouty) pushes. My body completely took over at that point, moved myself into the position I wanted to be in (even though in the hours before I'd needed help to move anywhere) and started pushing. Could vaguely hear everyone rushing around and trying to tell me to breathe but there was no breathing to be done, only pushing. It was all very primal, so lucky I didn't rip really badly!

Still can't believe that my 3rd labour was my longest (by 3x)!!! I know they say it can happen but still!!!

My waters breaking was also very very discreet. Almost unidentifiable at first and then the leak got a bit more obvious but wasn't until contractions got a lot more full on that I was having quite obvious trickles/very small gushes.

Look I did all the things they say bring it on including the sweeps none of it worked in fact I was very poorly from eating too much pineapple lol. I went over to the maximum amount and was induced. It was a lovely experience with it being planned much more enjoyable then my second birth she arrived on her due date and it was bloody awful. Hang in there you haven't too much longer, it'll be worth the wait when you see your gorgeous little bundle 💕

Hi and thanks for the info re: sweeps, I know they can be hit and miss, was hoping for labour to start spontaneously like it did for me first time round but like everyone says, each pregnancy is different!

Hey KiraCeleste, yes the heat is an extra challenge isn’t it?! 🥵 so I want to avoid induction as I’m planning home birth and induction means this wouldn’t be possible. I had a medicalised birth with first baby and wanted to avoid this if at all possible this time. Oh my gosh bump is gargantuan, have had to adapt pretty much everyday daily activity, DH has to do the washing up as can’t reach sink, perching on edge of sofa/chairs and need to sit on extra cushion to raise hips, footwear exclusively flip flops or crocs! Yep getting out of bed is a right faff too! I’d take morning sickness over this stage of pregnancy anyday. Only consolation is that is can’t possibly much longer now.

Ah that’s great you came away in good shape Muststop, and didn’t need stitches. Interesting about the body taking over too, I’ve heard this before I guess it’s how we’re wired for birth. My waters broke late into labour last time but again feels pointless to try and predict this one, will just have to go with the flow when it happens!

Thanks mrsbitaly, worth the wait is definitely what babies are about ☺️