Grrr You'd think Id know by now!!

[leekee]

Hi all

Ok so Ive just hit my 37th week of pregnancy with my 5th child. This pregnancy has been like nothing Ive ever experienced before. (All other pregnancies were a breeze - like I could have only wished for a complaint during pregnancy and labour and delivery). But this one the universe has thrown me everything it could to make it the pregnancy from hell!! Lol I wont go into that though.
Anyway, I am totally and utterly OVER this pregnancy, and am hoping for early delivery. (Please please please please please please)!!!
Maybe Im thinking too much about it which is what has caused some of my symptoms but I thought I would post it out there to see what you all thought.
So for the last couple of days I have felt pressure in my backside, but not my front ....??? Strange?? I also know theres added pressure back there because my Peter and Paul (Hemi friends if you get my meaning) have become inflamed and itchy. Arrggg (Personally I can see why dogs do what they gotta do to scratch theirs when itchy!!!) Not to mention I have had added frequent toilet stops for number 2's and although Im not constipated and stools are soft (TMI) I struggle to go sometimes. But in saying that, 4 - 5 times in one day doesnt help my backside visitors!!! And the weeing ... arrrgggg!! Im about to put a tv in my bathroom and just make my home on my loo. Im always going!! Been checked for urinary infections and all and all clear!
Over the last few weeks I have also experienced what BH are. (never had them with the others).
But last night, While sitting in my chair (Lol not the porcalin throne either for a change) and I was having these tightenings. Now they say the difference between BH and actual contraction are BH's dont harden the fundus. It stays soft. Well my fundus and whole belly was rock hard for the duration of the tightenings. Now they were lasting about a good 45secs - 1 minute. They werent painful but strange feeling really. Not like my BH's either .... if that makes sense?!?! These were consistent and regular, however in saying that the time between each one was about 30 minutes (which is more in line with the timing of BH's) I even moved during and drank and went to the loo (copious times) and they still came. I was getting excited, yet unfortunately Im sitting here telling my tale this morning with not 1 discomfort.
Yes I know that bub will come when he's ready and that the longer he is in there the better and so on.
I purposefully havent got a bag packed (which I might regret later) and I wear all my fav knickers (someones law) to hopefully encourage things to move.
Oh just as an add it, my waters have never spontaneuosly broken alone, however I have always gone into labour alone. What are your thoughts? I should know by now seeing as I have done this 4 times already, but my last birth was 5 years ago, and with this baby brain and stuff, the memory isnt quite what it used to be. Hehehe Thanks all

[Alan]

Hi Leekee

You have a number of signs that suggest that labour is not far off. But unfortunately there is no way of accurately predicting when labour will start. Hang in there hun, my gut says that you will not go the full distance

[Taurean]

PMSL!! You certainly haven't lost your sense of humour with all your pregnancy woes!!

I hope the end is near for your pregnancy. They really can take it out if you, can't they?! Get onto the RLT if you haven't already and start sculling!

Good luck!

[helle]

I had these same symptoms.... For about three weeks before I was induced at 40+9 *ducks and hides*
FX that it will happen when it's meant to for you!

[leekee]

Thanks Alan. Fingers crossed hey. Im waiting to see if I get into uni to study midwifery - Maybe with experience I too will get that gut instinct (only never with myself. This body is done being used as a boxing bag from the inside!!)

Taurean - Hehehe its either find humour or sit in the corner and sob my little squished insides out. (The other kids wont allow me to sob, so I have to find the funny side to it) Hehehe

And Helle - Lucky you ducked and hid!! I threw the eveil eyes at this one! Hahahaha!! 40+9?? Arggg maybe the corner is looking better for me at the moment now! Hahaha

Nah it will happen - one day in the far away future. (3 weeks although is a short period of time, when pregnant all of a sudden becomes the longest time of your life) LOL. Thanks all, but to add to my own post ...

Leekee - your not in labour, your still sitting here telling your story!! Lmao!!

[Fleur]

If you're throwing things at Helle, then I'm not posting. I will just send you lots of labour vibes instead

ETA - everyone is different of course - for some it could still be weeks awway, for others, maybe hours
So, ~labour vibes~

[leekee]

Hahaha thanks Fleur!!

But just to confirm - It wasnt so much at Helle as it was the words printed on the screen. Arggg!! Hahahaha

[helle]

Hahaha thanks Fleur!!

But just to confirm - It wasnt so much at Helle as it was the words printed on the screen. Arggg!! Hahahaha

Hehe

If it's any consolation, I had dilated two cm by the time of the induction, was in labour for a matter of three hours and four minutes, and had a natural drug free (except for the induction itself) birth with no tearing...? So, there can still be a very positive outcome for you if you have to wait!
Put it this way, if your body is doing all these things, it's doing something in preparation and not just sitting around being lazy

[leekee]

Oh Helle -

I could only wish I was at that stage by now!! However mr has gone all quiet, had the best sleep EVER last night - no throne visits (yeee haa) and have the biggest burst of energy today (Im even dusting which for me is BIGGG!!! Hahaha) so fingers crossed hey!

Thats awesome about your labours though. I have nice easy quick ones like that too - last one being 50 minutes. (Although didnt like that one much because my body had no time to adjust to what was happening). Again fingers crossed this one is like that!!

[studentmum]

I am in a similar situation although with #4.

Have had BH unlike the other pg's and they too made my belly hard and tight, I had one whole night where they woke me regularly as I couldn't sleep through the pain. This was a week or more ago and not much since then.

I did not want to go into labour that early though so I drank about 5lts of water per day for a few days and kept out of the 40+*C heat we have had.

I have noticed bub engaging and disengaging on a daily basis, when engaged I feel like I have a uti, frquency and stinging, when not it is all back to normal.

The pressure in your bum is normal too (however annoyingly uncomfortable!) May I suggest not sitting on the toilet and waiting, ignore the "I need to go" sensation as long as possible until you are sure it is a poo. The straining will not be good for your 'friends' and it is just so unpleasant to have that feeling.

I found it better to change sitting position, a firm chair, rub your belly, sit on the floor with your feet together and lean forward to let your belly rest in between your legs, get dh to push on your lower back etc.

Most of all, hang in there!

Sarah