Need a spontaneous labour cheer squad

I dont have any words of wisdom but..
I DO believe your body can do this!!!
Focus on only ONE contraction at a time, Your Body and Bubs know what to do :)

i've got my pom poms out too cheering for you xx

This is just wonderful, I'm going to start printing out this thread and put in in my hossy bag.

Ok, here comes what sounds like a super silly question for a woman who is having her third baby but what does the begining of labour feel like?

Having been induced twice I've gone from 0 to 100 in an instant so I don't really know what early contractions are like. I know it must be different for all but are there any clue?

Period pain, cramping, general discomfort or do the contractions start straight away and just get stronger? I have a fear of being out and about and not really realising so I figured if I asked, it might help me feel better. Oh and lets put it out there now, no waters breaking in the middle of a shopping centre please universe.

TIA
Spring xx

Mine have always started of very lightly.... comes and goes down low and slowly gets stronger....

If you do go in for an induction can you ask them to only break waters and see what happens before using the drip or gels?

The beginning of labour feels different for everyone - though some of us have been lucky to have the text book beginning.
Often labour begins with a crampy feeling in the lower abdo that comes & goes. Often it's happening for a while & it's brushed off as BH - when labour has begun though usually the cramps become more regular, closer together & have more bite to them.

I had a text book labour with my DS. I had period type cramping that came & went. Gradually it became obvious it wasn't BH & it was the real deal... Basically they built in momentum and strength..

With my DD labour began with a bang straight away at 2minute intervals - it was much harder to cope with that...

So, when those crampings start - take some time to notice how far apart, how ouchy, how long they last. Often swaying your hips or squatting as things progress is a great way of dealing wiht the pain & assisting your baby's birth. I kept it all to myself until I was sure. I didn't tell my husband I just kept a watch... I though get very insular in labour. I hate fussing...

When you find it hard to have a conversation through a contraction - you know that labour is progressing along. Many women notice that they begin to lose some of the plug about now too..

This is so exciting my love... Your baby will choose it's birthday & we are all here... :hug:

Spring - here with you all the way :hug: You CAN do this!!! You have birthed before, now is the time to have faith that your body can successfully birth. It isn't easy to do though :hug:

As for labours - DD1 was intense due to the induction. Horrible, awful and not an experience I ever wanted to repeat - for many, many reasons which you understand far too well :(

DS - his labour was a hypnobirthing dream :D Slow commencement - hourly for the first 3 hours (to the point it took me a while to realise I was in labour!!!), then 20 minutely, then 7 minutely, then 4 minutely then every 2 minutes until we went to OT for the emergency C-section. A beautiful, fantastic labour. I LOVED it!!!!! Pain was managed with water and breathing using hypnobirthing techniques. 7 hours to 7cm.

DD2 - all I can say is WOW!!!!! I had forgotten what labour felt like but the first contraction brought the memories quickly back LOL Hers was intense from the beginning and I was JuJu vocalising almost from the outset. Regular contractions that quickly went to every 4 minutes and she was out in 4.5 hours. 2cm to out took 2.5 hours :o

So, all three labours very, very different. The two spontaneous labours were very different. Mucous plug lost at home with both spontaneous labours and my waters broke at hospital after about 5cm dilation on both occasions too - no shopping centres or cars here ;)

You can do this!!!! I know you can. I believe in your body. I believe in you xxxx

Still here. Not surprising really given I'm 37 +2 but I've had lots of crampy aches and pains, some of which get me excited that something might be happening but nothing has progressed so far.

Had appointment on Friday and bub is 3/5 engaged. I know that can change but it's nice bub is heading in the right direction. Got offerred a S&S at 38 weeks but I've said no. Pretty proud of myself for avoiding the temptation. Going to think about those sort of things closer to term.

I'm pretty stoked with my ticker I must say. 19 days! Wow, that seems like a number I can deal with. That's only 2 weeks and 5 days, as of tomorrow it's 2 weeks and 4 days. Day by day I can handle it.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know that I'm doing well.

Off to bed to sleep, or should I say to toss and turn and pee all night (lol)

Spring x

I'm joining your cheer squad too Spring :cheer::bluecheer::cheer::bluecheer:

You can do this. Trust your body, your baby and your instincts.

In relation to labour starting, for me, I awoke one morning to very low crampy, period-like pains, but the were right at my cervix. The started low and radiated upwards through my uterus. Like Inanna describes, over the course of the morning they increased in momentum and intensity, getting more frequent.

Surround yourself with positivity, get away from any fuss and focus on what your body needs to do :hug:

Thinking of you and sending you strong, positive labour vibes.

You're doing great Spring! All those cramps and aches and pains are doing good work for you and your bub :). I had lots of those in the lead up to DD's birth. I had lots of pre-labour for 3 days and when I actually went into labour it was quick and easy. I am so sure the same thing will happen for you :D

Count down is on, hun! I'm sure the niggles will turn into something soon enough, on your bub's bday. ;)

Still here and still cheering Spring!!
:cheer: :bluecheer: :cheer: :bluecheer:

LOADS of labour vibes coming your way!

I'm joining the cheer squad :)

Thanks guys

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the 'wait' today so I've decided to set some smaller goals on my way.

First goal - to get past 38 + 3 which is when I was induced had DS2 - Big fat red tick

Second goal - to avoid even thinking about a S&S until at least 39 weeks. Big fat red tick.

Third goal - to get past Christmas Big fat red tick

Fourth goal - to get to term

I have a CTG this morning so I'll be back later to update.

Lv Spring xx

:clap: Love the goals, hun! So is it only four days to pass goal number one? :cheer:

Small goals sound like a great idea. Nothing seems to far away then.

Hi guys

Trace went well. Feeling better after taking the pressure off a bit with my smaller goals.

I can't belive I'll be able to tick the first one off next week.

Spring

:hug: Good luck hun :hug:
Stay focussed :hug:

Congrats on making it through another week
:bluecheer: :cheer: