Stop start labour?

7 replies

hopingfor23 · 05/01/2023 09:52

Convinced I was in Labour last night from 10.30pm - 6am with 'contractions' coming every 3-5 mins. I am 39+4. Earlier in the night had eye watering lightening crotch and back ache. Called triage who advised to wait til 2-3 mins apart before going in so I did this and took some paracetemol then drifted off and have woke up with just mild tightenings 😩 still hve the back ache and lightening crotch but other than that things seem to have stopped!

I have had braxton hicks since 20 weeks and these last night felt very much a huge jump from my experience of BH's.

Anyone had a similar start to Labour?

OP posts:

NewDogOwner · 05/01/2023 10:02

I had this. Baby was 'back-to-back' It lasted for 4 days!

almondbutter23 · 05/01/2023 10:08

Yeah, I had this. Only difference is that my water broke first (slow trickle). I then had two nights of regular and increasingly intense contractions which completely stopped during the day. I was given the drip on the third night (45 hours after water broke) as I wasn't progressing on my own, and baby was born seven hours later.

I was pretty tired by the time baby arrived – from lack of sleep, but also from two days and nights of being on edge and expecting to go into full-blown labour at any moment. If I could do it again, I would try to relax and rest more during the day (easier said than done, I know!). I didn't want to sleep during the day in case I slowed things down even more, and on the first day I kept pushing myself to go for walks (second day I was in hospital so didn't leave my bay in case they came to take me for the drip and I wasn't there!).

I didn't really know that contractions could be so strong and regular (and for hours!) and then just... stop. I found it mentally challenging. But it was all worth it in the end :)

Rest where you can and try and accept the process. And if you're ever concerned or in doubt about anything, call your midwife / the maternity ward.

Original poster

hopingfor23 · 05/01/2023 11:00

@NewDogOwner my boy is back to back also so maybe there's a link?

@almondbutter23 this is so helpful thank you I am literally dedicating today to napping and a little walk if I feel up to it. Think my contractions may be starting again but we will see x

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PurBal · 05/01/2023 11:04

Yeah. Waters broke, contractions every 10-15 minutes. Then reduced to every 30-40. Had to be put on the drip due to risk of infection. It was 39 hours from waters breaking to meeting DS.

NewDogOwner · 05/01/2023 11:20

hopingfor23 · 05/01/2023 11:00

@NewDogOwner my boy is back to back also so maybe there's a link?

@almondbutter23 this is so helpful thank you I am literally dedicating today to napping and a little walk if I feel up to it. Think my contractions may be starting again but we will see x

Apparently long labours are common with back-to-back. I kept getting to just the point when we would need to leave to go to hospital and then the next contraction wouldn't be for another half an hour. There were then long periods when they were once an hour or half hour and times when it was every few minutes and then a pause again. After this happening for 48 hours, I was told to go in and checked. This was the Wed night. They booked me in for an augumentation on the Friday morning but assured me that I would give birth that night and wouldn't need it but I didn't.

Take note of when your water breaks. They only let you go 48 hours after your water breaks before you have to go to hospital in case of infection.

Original poster

hopingfor23 · 05/01/2023 11:57

@NewDogOwner thank you will keep an eye on things I've had a handful of contractions this morning but all the other niggles. Yes will be sure to stay vigilant re waters as I am strep b positive so need to go in and stay in as soon as these go 🙏

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buckingmad · 05/01/2023 12:19

Ooh interesting I had this and was also back to back.

I ended up on the drip as my waters broke.

Flip