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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How will I know when I am in labour?

65 replies

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 02:14

I am a first time mum to be at 31 weeks pregnant. I have BH contractions (the non painful ones) on and off at the moment.

Everywhere I read about going into labour the story is slightly different. Is the show supposed to be before the contractions/waters breaking? And how long before? Will my waters break and is that when I should be calling the midwife/going into hospital? Or do I wait until my contractions are x mins apart before I do something??

I suppose my nerves aren't helping and I have a funny feeling I'll 'know' when to go into hospital.. but what if I don't?? I have an ante-natal class coming up in a few weeks, so hopefully some of my fears will be alayed there. But please, has anyone got any advice or tips for me please? Thanks xxx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

rubyredslippers · 04/02/2008 19:55

hello PFJ, have to echo the sentiments above re. Ina May Book. Also its got HUGE section of Birth stories in it.
Also great source of birth stories is the Home Birth web site. Unfortunately i cannot remember the exact address but its something like www. homebirths.com or co.uk...(Anyone hlp us out here!!?!) don't be put off tho as you'll see a surprising no.of them actualy end up in hospital! and labour is labour wherever it is (to massively generalise!?)
BTW ther are as many wys to give birth as there are mothers and your baby will come to you n its own way! LOL

rubyredslippers · 04/02/2008 19:57

did I just contradict self totally? Hmm Sorry!

maxbear · 04/02/2008 20:05

I havent read whole thread, but if in doubt phone the maternity unit and speak to a midwife, they will be able to advise you and just reassure or tell you that it is time to come in. As a rule though wait until contractions are every 3 - 4 minutes, lasting 40 - 50 seconds and hurting a lot. Going in when they are every five minutes as many people are told is wishful thinking and you will probably be sent home (in most cases, of course I once told a bloke not to break any speed limits as they were only every 5 minutes and they would definately make it as it was her first baby. Luckily he did not take my advice, drove very fast and made it with about ten minutes to spare )

rubyredslippers · 04/02/2008 20:52

IMHO you should forget counting and timing etc it confused me at a time you should be retreating from your practical, logical, brain. go with how you feel not what you think (splitting hairs?) if you feel fear but don'tthink youshould go in to hosp or whatever it might tense you up.
BTW YOU WILL BE IN NO DOUBT when it is labour for Real, and not in a bad way...

PieMama2007 · 04/02/2008 21:18

Had underwater home birth and loved every minute. Strange labour though - started in the morning with very faint, on-and-off sensations of skin stretching over bump. I just knew something was happening.

Later that night, began to feel definite tightening of bump, every 3 or 4 mins, regularly. No pain at all, just this regular tightening feeling for a couple of hours. Gradually got stronger, eventually becoming quite uncomfortable but never painful. Midwife came at 7am and said I was 6cm dilated - DD arrived at 10.40am, and I felt no pain at any time - was hard work and uncomfortable, but never painful.
Everyone's experience is different, but I think every woman just knows when her labour is starting - I know it sounds unhelpful, but you just know. It's like when people tell you that you will 'just know' what your baby's cries mean and in the early days/ weeks you think "How the eff am I supposed to know?" but sooner or later you just do - it's true.

Psychobabble's right - The best thing for me was feeling in control - I was in my own home and felt very at ease. It really helps if you are relaxed and take control of your delivery. The midwives are there to help, but you are ultimately responsible for getting that baby out. Don't be scared of labour/ birth - it's natural and your body is perfectly designed for it. I know there's a chance of complications, and you have to be prepared for that, but if all goes well, you have nothing to worry about.

There are far too many horror stories about - not because most births are awful, but because these stories are memorable - no-one wants to hear about the straightforward nice births, but there are plenty of them.

Smithagain · 04/02/2008 21:26

I suspected I was in labour when the contractions came really regularly and definitely felt like they were doing something. Called the hospital twice in a mild panic and was persuaded to stay at home and relax as much as possible.

Did what I was told.

A couple of hours later, the midwife on the other end of the phone knew I was really in labour when I phoned in and told her I was coming in now and she better get a bed ready cos I wasn't staying at home any longer. No arguments from the midwives at that point. I think they can recognise the tone of voice of someone who really is in labour and is not going to be fobbed off any longer

You just know. If you're not sure, you probably aren't.

latchmeregirl · 04/02/2008 21:27

My waters breaking at 38 weeks in the checkout queue at Sainsburys was a pretty good indication that something was about to start . There was no doubt that that was what had happened - it was a deluge, and they had to close the till until a cleaner turned up.

I'd had a show that morning but no other signs whatsoever, so assumed it would be days if not weeks before anything happened. I rang the hospital when I got home, they said to sit tight until the contractions started and were every 3 minutes apart - 20 mins later they were, and I was 5cm on arrival at hospital, baby born 5 hours later.

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 21:28

I woke up at 3am in an absolutely FOUL mood. Had no idea why, so sat in front of computer, eating cereal and looking up "early labour" on the web. Had a contraction about half an hour later. Think my mood must have been down to the hormone change...

pinkspottywellies · 04/02/2008 21:34

I didn't know I think I was completely in denial. 'Ooh it's just backache/tummyache. I'll be fine if I can just get comfortable. No, no dh, you go to bed, I'll be up soon. I might just have a bath. And put the tens machine on to help the ache. But the baby's not coming. Ooh no. That would be far too scary!'

We made it to the hospital with an hour to spare!

rachaelsara · 04/02/2008 21:37

I was in a bad mood all 4 times! Also had lots of stuff down below - waters twice and lots of stringy mucus twice - sorry if tmi!

You will know, you just do. If you're thinking "is this it or not" it probably isn't!

Good luck!

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 21:40

rachel - you're the first person I've ever come across who had the bad mood thing! Everyone else thinks it's funny...

MaeWest · 04/02/2008 21:41

I can remember that feeling pinkspottywellies! I started having twinges on Sunday afternoon (DS born the next day) and kept thinking to myself that if I could just sit up straight enough, this backache would go away (and it did, only to come back with increasing frequency ).

ThePFJ - make sure you ask any questions you need to in your antenatal class, that's what they're for.

I'm another one who's waters didn't break until late on - mw was lining up the crochet hook when 'pop', they broke all over her! Shows happened when labour was well underway, and quite a lot of vomiting - labour is so glam .

rachaelsara · 04/02/2008 21:57

I was always aware that I was going to have a busy day (iyswim )!

Smithagain · 04/02/2008 22:10

Now you come to mention it, I definitely had the bad mood thing first time around. Second time around was much more mellow.

Original poster

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 22:30

Ok, you all mention the vomiting thing. Can I ask something a bit more.. embarrassing now? Do you poo during labour - as in when you are pushing the baby out.. or do they offer an irrigation before hand?

OP posts:

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 22:32

During - and it's really not at the forefront of your mind. I was vaguely aware of it being discreetly dealt with...

Original poster

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 22:39

-makes a face- Is this the part were I ask DH to do this for me? -laughs and looks slightly manic-

OP posts:

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 22:42

No, it's the part where you store it all up so that later you can whine "no, you get the biscuits/tea/run me a bath. I gave birth..."

Original poster

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 22:43

Hehe.. ok I can live with that then. Thanks

OP posts:

TheWiltedRose · 04/02/2008 22:43

You are in labour when mumsnet tell you you are. AND NO SOONER! Got it?

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 22:44

I wasn't on MN when I went into labour. Am I still pregnant?

Original poster

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 22:44

Eek! -hides-

OP posts:

Original poster

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 22:45

Probably Habbibu. Probably.

OP posts:

TheWiltedRose · 04/02/2008 22:45

yes Habbibu MN is all knowing and we saw it and you passed.

Habbibu · 04/02/2008 22:47

Phew. Because that girl upstairs is a bit to big to be pushed out of anything other than a circus cannon now...

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