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

Original poster

Help! Overdue am I contracting?

54 replies

HussaAZH · 12/12/2023 22:35

hi. 2nd pregnancy, 40+4 days overdue.
had my midwife appt yesterday, head was engaged, midwife felt baby’s head. I was 1cm dilated and she did a sweep.
i lost my mucus plus last night and continued to into the morning. 6am I had contractions so very strong pains in my back and abdomen. Every ten mins for 6 hours. Then they just completely stopped. The pressure down there is unreal. Now Iv started to get really bad pain in my lower back, so painful. I every ten mins lasting only like 20-30 seconds if that. Is that a contraction? There’s no tightening.
Im so stressed, confused. I would really appreciate all your help, advice, reassurance, your own experiences and knowledge would be great too.

thank you in advance xx

OP posts:
Original poster
HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 21:39

So the head is firmly in cervix, midwife can feel it. But she said the baby has positioned itself in my back and advised me to try leaning over at times to try get baby to move back. Honestly it’s the worst. My first labour was long but this is just awful! Paracetamol isn’t doing much and I regret the sweep now! I did ask for another sweep when I was at the hospital but midwife said no because my cervix was dilating naturally and she didn’t think a sweep would be a good idea. I’m only 2cm so not sure how it’s dilating naturally but maybe another sweep isn’t a good idea anyway !

OP posts:
Original poster
HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 22:04

No, where would I get one from now this last minute? X

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 13/12/2023 22:19

HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 21:39

So the head is firmly in cervix, midwife can feel it. But she said the baby has positioned itself in my back and advised me to try leaning over at times to try get baby to move back. Honestly it’s the worst. My first labour was long but this is just awful! Paracetamol isn’t doing much and I regret the sweep now! I did ask for another sweep when I was at the hospital but midwife said no because my cervix was dilating naturally and she didn’t think a sweep would be a good idea. I’m only 2cm so not sure how it’s dilating naturally but maybe another sweep isn’t a good idea anyway !

Not a great idea to have lots of sweeps and vaginal examinations, there is an infection risk so you should only have one when really necessary.

Quitelikeit · 13/12/2023 22:20

I would be eating a madras and bouncing in a birthing ball

Original poster
HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 22:34

@NameChange30 you are right, I will be avoiding a sweep now, I feel the sweep got me in this painful position.
also, I feel that article is for babies who aren’t engaged? My baby is 100% engaged, midwives both today and on Monday felt baby’s head firmly in cervix.

@Quitelikeit i eat spicy food daily, so I don’t think that’s working tbf. My birthing ball hasn’t been blown up this time round because we lost the pin to keep it closed so didn’t bother.

thank you girls btw for your responses, you have no idea how they make me feel. Nice to have the help xx

OP posts:
annlee3817 · 13/12/2023 22:36

Does your partner play golf at all...? I nicked one of my mum's golf pegs to plug the hole on my birthing ball as also lost the pin. Hope things get moving properly for you soon

Original poster
HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 22:43

Unfortunately not! But my bedroom is the attic so I walk up and down a fair bit which I’m hoping counts lol as it’s a trek haha x

OP posts:
jadey1991 · 13/12/2023 22:54

HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 22:43

Unfortunately not! But my bedroom is the attic so I walk up and down a fair bit which I’m hoping counts lol as it’s a trek haha x

Try eating fresh pineapple. Alot of people say its a myth but I found eating fresh pineapple defo did something for me.

MixedCouple · 13/12/2023 23:01

Spinning babies is amazing. Side walking down and up stairs is great as well as off the pavement to the road. Birthing ball.
I found I was manic cleaning on my hands and knees and really moving and that helped a lot.

Hypnobirthing helped me until I was at 4cm and went into the birthing center.

Also a home birth is great if it does happen not the end of the world. Especially as it is baby no.2.

All the best.

Setyoufree · 13/12/2023 23:11

Keep active! Spinning babies as PP says is your friend. Lots of time on all 4s, don't slump on the sofa. When you go into hospital stay mobile, don't get forced into your back. It'll all be fine 😁

FrogOfFrogHall · 13/12/2023 23:21

I feel for you. Slow labour can be exhausting! My advice would be a warm bath and as others have said spending time lying over a birthing ball or on all fours. Good luck!

TulipVictory · 13/12/2023 23:50

OP this happened to me just a few days ago and I have since birthed my baby. It is likely this is happening so slowly because baby is in an awkward position. Please try lying on your left side with your bottom leg straight and your top leg at a 90 degree angle. Lie like this for 20 mins or threee contractions (whichever comes first) then switch and do 20 mins on your hands and knees.. then switch again but to your right side with your bottom leg straight and top leg at 90 degree angle. This is called side lying release and will help get baby into the right position for labour. It worked for me and things ramped up rather quickly. Just keep switching between these positions. Good luck

Original poster
HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 23:59

@jadey1991 Iv had fresh pineapple the last two days, tasty but not much has happened lol x

@MixedCouple I can’t have a home birth because my previous birth , I had shoulder dystocia so high risk. I also wanted to try hypnobirthing, wish I did now.

OP posts:
Original poster
HussaAZH · 14/12/2023 00:02

Thanks for that!
what do u mean when you say on hands and knees?
how quick was the process for you after this stage?
because this has been so slow , I’m absolutely petrified of Labour now especially the pushing ! I still have PTSD from last time ahhh

OP posts:
Jas5mum · 14/12/2023 00:04

Some people never get to those numbers and still have a baby!
I've never gone into labour naturally tho...

Tryingtohelp12 · 14/12/2023 00:08

Bless you! I’m also 40+4 but no action here. With my second I found a weird Bob dance thing seemed to help with contractions and a hot shower! Good luck - following for updates xx

tealightfire · 14/12/2023 00:09

Good luck op, hoping you will have your little one in your arms today x

jadey1991 · 14/12/2023 06:59

HussaAZH · 13/12/2023 23:59

@jadey1991 Iv had fresh pineapple the last two days, tasty but not much has happened lol x

@MixedCouple I can’t have a home birth because my previous birth , I had shoulder dystocia so high risk. I also wanted to try hypnobirthing, wish I did now.

I had shoulder dystocia with my son and a 3rd degree tear..
I opted for a c section with my surprise baby girl. She is 2 weeks old today

MixedCouple · 14/12/2023 09:10

@HussaAZH did you labour on your back last time? That can happen with labouring on the back. Shoulder dystocia can be avoided a lot of the times with movement and positioning. Moving babies / spinning babies is a great resource for this. Especially 2nd baby that is very unlikely to happen.
Squating, on all 4s, rocking and using a ball or even the toilet seat can help baby progress down.
I was told I was high risk due to my BMI but i kept moving all over and avoided it.

I also die Perineum massage and inoy had a graze it really works to reduce severity of tears.

Original poster
HussaAZH · 14/12/2023 10:59

Hi all

i went into hosp at 4am as contraction pain got really strong. Still no consistency with how often or how long but pain was unbearable.
Was 4-5cm dilated and ended up having a surprise baby girl at 7:20am.

thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and advice xx

OP posts:
JellyMouldJnr · 14/12/2023 11:03

Congratulations OP!

Jojoanna · 14/12/2023 11:09

Congratulations !

chillinwithmygnomies · 14/12/2023 11:31

Congratulations FlowersFlowers

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