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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Contractions stopped now I'm getting impatient

21 replies

Readytogo1 · 27/12/2022 20:11

I'm due 2nd January but am just getting so impatient for baby to arrive!

Started having a few sporadic contractions 5 days ago and got all excited but just had a mild one yesterday and nothing today. No waters broken or mucus plug/bloody show. But baby is moving around so he's happy.

I know I need to just wait it out but I feel like I'm failing at labour - it's supposed to start and keep going isn't it?!

Booked into hospital for my standard check up tomorrow afternoon and thinking of asking/pleading for an induction.

Anyone else feeling/felt the same and/or how did you deal with it? Did you demand an induction?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Notonyournellykelly · 27/12/2022 20:15

It doesn't always just start and keep going at all. Stop start contractions are really common a few days before labour. NOBODY TOLD ME THIS and I was in bits. Couldn't understand why it wasn't happening properly and I also was losing sleep as was up in the night on my flipping yoga ball thinking it was beginning for days 🙄. Turned out that my gran and my mum had the same sort of labours; stop start for days before it started in earnest.

Can you ask for a sweep if you haven't had one already?

Beginningless · 27/12/2022 20:19

If it makes you feel better, my second labour was like that for about a week, contractions would start in the day but peter off overnight. The emotional ups and downs of that were hard - is this it, over and over. However when baby finally decided to come, it was such a smooth and easy labour, I think because my body had been doing all the required adjustments. Try as much as you can to relax and take it as it comes, easier said than done I know. Good luck!

CJones11 · 27/12/2022 20:21

Hey, I'm due the same date as you and also feeling very impatient. This is my second and I was 5 days over with my first. But I never felt this uncomfortable and done with pregnancy the first time.
I wouldn't say an induction is the best option unless there are reasons. They can be long, painful, and increase the chance of needing intervention! Maybe a sweep could be a better option for the time being?

Original poster
Readytogo1 · 27/12/2022 20:27

It was suggested that at tomorrow's appointment I could have a membrane sweep, has anyone had one? They said it only works half of the time 😬

Thank you for the NHS link. Glad I'm not the only one!

OP posts:
Original poster
Readytogo1 · 27/12/2022 20:28

Also been bouncing on my yoga ball! :D

OP posts:
stairgates · 27/12/2022 20:31

Yes, ask for a sweep, they may not want to do one though until you are 40 weeks though. For reference my children would arrive 3 days after a sweep

katmarie · 27/12/2022 20:38

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and weeing regularly. I experienced this, and it turned out to be my bladder not emptying properly, and blocking my cervix, so baby's head was making contact with my bladder only, which then swelled, which stopped labour from progressing. When I went into the hospital (for the third time) to ask for help, they asked for a urine sample and I couldn't give one at all, so at that point the midwives intervened. But I had no idea that could happen, so hadn't even realised that was the problem.

Cuppasoupmonster · 27/12/2022 20:48

Is it first baby OP? Walk, walk and walk like mad!

Original poster
Readytogo1 · 27/12/2022 23:01

Yes first baby! And I definitely feel more movement and weight after my currently very short walks, so I'll keep going. Also started sqatting a lot over the last 2 days...

I'll up my water intake and pee output!

Just had another contraction... they're just teasing me at this point!

OP posts:
CJones11 · 28/12/2022 01:07

I had a sweep with my first at 40+3. I was already 2cm when I had it and he was born 2 days later. Contractions started around 12 hours after the sweep.
I'm suppose to have an appointment this week at some point, I may request one too!

PopsicleHustler · 28/12/2022 07:07

I wish you nothing but the best. Slow labour phases are difficult.....

I had a one week slow latent phase labour for a week with baby number 5 and a few weeks of on and off with baby number 4.
I am due baby number 6 in beginning of January also (next week). I started losing my mucus plug yesterday and have had some twinges, stronger braxton hicks and back pain.....

So could be anytime soon! God knows best.
After losing my mucus plug/bloody show with baby numbers 4 and 5, it was a couple days
But then again every baby is different and this little man might just take his sweet old time.

With my 5th, was awful, long, stop/start contractions at home for a week exactly. I had gone in on the Saturday at 2cm, and was sent back home as it wasn't enough to be kept in.
Went back in the following Saturday at 4am at 4cm. Funny that. Had her at 12.07pm weighing 7lb.12
It was a long old week and everyday I was like could today be the day, is it today, will I have her today. It was just very long winded and confusing. I wish you nothing but the best and like me, have your baby soon.

PopsicleHustler · 28/12/2022 07:09

@CJones11 yeah I find sweeps very effective.
Pessaries for inductions not so much.
The only things that have sent me into labour is sex and sweeps
Hope.youre doing well. I am pretty sure you're on the January 2023 baby thread, aren't you!.

CJones11 · 28/12/2022 11:00

@PopsicleHustler yes, I am on the thread:) I'm doing well, little bit restless at the moment. We moved houses last week in the middle of the christmas period so it's been busy. I've had to switch doctors which has meant my midwife appointments are with someone new. Seeing the new one tomorrow!

I've also been losing a lot of mucus recently and having braxton hicks but it never develops into anything more! I wonder if they will allow ms a sweep tomorrow 🤔

Original poster
Readytogo1 · 28/12/2022 21:57

@CJones11 Congratulations on your move!

I was in for my check up today and had an internal exam, cervix is shortening and softening so now I await the 'mucus plug'. Sounds like some kind of cult!

I asked about a sweep and the consultant said that they can do one if I'd like when I'm further along, but that it is painful and only works about 30% of the time. She was very reassuring in that my body is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

Feeling calmer this evening. Now I just need to ignore all the 'baby here yet?!' messages. I got one from DF last night, as if I'd give birth and, oh I dunno, not tell him! 😂

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 28/12/2022 22:06

I feel for you this is why I didn’t tell any of my family when I went in to be induced - I didn’t want to field all the messages while in labour! Do you know what you’re having?

It sounds a bit mad but I’m jealous, I’m always induced at 37/38 weeks and wish I could do the whole am-i-in-labour thing because it sounds quite exciting (although I know the reality is probably different!)

Original poster
Readytogo1 · 28/12/2022 22:18

@Cuppasoupmonster Haha the grass is always greener! You were dead right not to tell anyone. I got all excited because my first contractions were on 23rd Dec so of course I was giving birth to the messiah... now that I'm clearly not it's like 'oh, are you still pregnant then?' I've learnt my lesson and will now keep schtum!

OP posts:
CJones11 · 28/12/2022 22:39

@Readytogo1 I think our greatest downfall when pregnant is the impatience that comes with everyone else's expectations. So many people will tell you what put them into labour and pester you on whether the baby has arrived yet.

They always come when they are good and ready:) we can do things to ease the process and encourage labour but unless your body is ready, it just won't work! Sounds like a sweep in a few days would be ideal because your body is starting to prepare but one now may be useless.

Fingers crossed I get to have an internal tomorrow to see if anythings happening. This pregnancy has been so different from ym first I was sure she would arrive early!

MsJuniper · 28/12/2022 22:45

If you hang on a few days it will have the dob 2/1/23 which would be pretty cool.

Original poster
Readytogo1 · 31/12/2022 12:57

Just an update... contractions still randomly happening mostly at night but getting stronger. Had three this morning at 7am, 5 minutes apart so rang the hospital, they said monitor them for another hour before coming in and sure enough I haven't had another one since!

Feeling exhausted so spending day in bed.

Good luck to everyone, hopefully we'll all be welcoming our 2023 babies over the next few days, not weeks!!

OP posts:
CJones11 · 31/12/2022 12:59

@Readytogo1 I've been exactly the same. Such strong braxton hicks that do not ease when I change position etc but randomly stop after so long.
I had a scan yesterday, baby is measuring 7lb 13 and I have a sweep on Tuesday. Hopefully it gets the ball rolling because I am very uncomfortable now!
I have tk say I am relieved it isn't a December baby after all.

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