hi all - had another blast of mother/daughter bonding today. We only went to the hairdressers but even having an uninterrupted 1/2 hour chat on the way there and back was lovely - and we both came back home with fabby hair (though I'm starting to be mindful of what I want vs what looks mutton which is a bit disturbing )
I'm a bit worried about her at the moment TBH. She's been having recurrent bladder infections that don't seem to be responding to antibiotics and has also been getting IBS type symptoms for the past few months. I've tentatively broached the topic of her pushing for a proper investigation (ie ultrasound) and I'm losing count of the number of ovarian cancer articles I seem to be coming across lately. I'm an holistic multi-therapist by trade (after a 20yr career in the civil service) and it bothers me to know that my skills are not enough for her right now. Also, I'm treading on eggshells trying to encourage, but not push her, to get more investigations without making her freak out it's most bothersome.
jw - the article is deffo right. I woke up in labour 0230 with DD - into hosp by 0630 then flat on my back for the duration and didn't deliver until 1535 (over 11 hrs!!). DS1 was induced (so doesn't really count as labour is reputedly longer if induced)but once waters were broken I was moving around then onto my knees and labour was 5hrs 30. DS2 was 2hrs 40. Again, needed membranes artificially rupturing, but, from then, onto knees (DH in a headlock) and whoosh.
Tabitha - I don't think I've been any luckier than most. It's generally agreed that labouring time reduces, the more children you have - I'm trying to work out logistics of childcare for labour at the moment. Officially, DD was, apparently, a textbook 1st labour - at 11 hrs from first twinge to delivery - but everyone's different. I've a friend who had a 3 hr labour with her first (and no nicks or tears) you'll be fine