Is there any likely this will progress into something more..?

[~breeze~]

ooohhh I hope either things start to get serious or they really back off & let you rest for a few weeks before the big day, it must suck being in "limbo".

Thanks for keeping us updated

Sending lots of positive vibes your way xoxo

[Trillian]

Don't go into hospital and ask for an internal - there is absolutely no need for you to have on at this point in time, and if you have one only to find you are not dilated at all or not dilated very much, then what? You become deflated because you've done all this 'hard work' for nothing, when in reality, this is only EARLY labour and could go on for days or weeks or it could all be over tonight and the last thing you need is to become disheartened by knowing a stupid number and you could set yourself down the path of intervention because you think you can't possibly go on like this for much longer, so you ask for pain relief, or you have ARM to 'speed things along' and then you are on a time limit to perform and when the baby doesn't appear because the ARM was done and contractions didn't establish and you know what happens next - a syncto induction or those magic words 'your baby is in distress and we need to get her out NOW' and before you know it you are being wheeled into surgery.

What you need to be doing is concentrating on YOU and making the most of what could be the last days before your baby is born. Finish getting things ready if there is anything left to be done, pamper yourself and spend some quality time with your DP - things will never be the same in your relationship once you bring a baby into it (in a beautiful way of course!) so make the most of just being a couple before you become a family of three. And do things that could help get these contractions established - go for a walk, do some squats to help her descend and if they get too bad, have a nice deep bath.

[Traveller]

So glad you got some sleep. It does sound like you are having a long latent stage, and as others have said this could go on for days or even weeks of stop/start contractions. Try to ignore the contractions as best as you can (easier said than done I know) and if all else fails try 2 paracetamol and a bath or shower to help you cope. Keep well nourished and hydrated as well.

as for when to head into hospital, a wonderful midwife once said to me "stay at home until you really think you need to go to hospital. Then stay at home a bit longer". Home really is the best place for your labour to flourish and hospital /pain relief/ internal examinations now are just likely to lead to things slowing down or being interfered with.

[HotI]

Have you read up on breastfeeding and bathing a newborn and all the jazz?

Sometimes taking your mind off the here and now of what your body is doing, and thinking about the cool stuff you have coming up can help relax and open up body and mind.

Check out Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment It is amazing what that little baby will come out knowing what to do!

Have you washed your hair and got some nice pjs for after the birth? Picked out a few outfits for bub to wear when people come to visit? (that was a fun part for me).

look after yourself,

Kate

[~clover~]

Thinking of you hun. As Trill says, take your time & stay away if you can.
When having DD2 I waited & waited til I thought I couldn't survive without pain relief anymore. Then I took my time getting ready & heading off. Got there over an hour later & was 7 cm. I didn't end up needing any relief coz that was my incentive to keep going
I think your better waiting as long as you can, til you just can't bear the pain anymore, then head in. Take it easy. Baths, showers, anything til nothing works.
Good luck hun xx

[Cassius2]

just sending you some big phat and hope you are holding up ok xx

[MrsFabuloso]

Oh babe I know how you feel. I have been following your thread but hadn't wanted to post because I had a reeeaaly long pre labour with my DS, and it sounds very similar to what you are going through. I know how hard it is to have to pre labour and mild contrax for sooo long, I think mine lasted about 7days maybe more, my memory has faded now (might be why I'm pg again! lol), plus some serious braxton hicks for a few weeks before that. I lost alot of my plug over the weeks before DS was born, and apparently it can regenerate...
I was in too much pain to sleep much for about a week. The last few days before DS was born the only place I could really sleep was a fairly warm bath, which I topped up when it got too cold for hours! The day before he was born, I went to hospital to see what was going on and they sent me home. But they did give me some panadiene forte and sleeping tablets because they said labour wasn't too far off and I needed to sleep and get up some energy. They only lasted for 4 hours, but it was the most blissful 4hours sleep I had had in weeks!
The day after that, I felt the pain change to being around my back and tummy like a band tightening, and know now that these were the REAL contrax and what I was going through before was just pre labour. Thouhg it felt painful enough before that!! On the upside, when I got to hospital, I was 8cm dialated and the nurses were surprised I was walking and talking freely! I had actually only gone in for more pain relief so I could sleep, lol! I waited til my doula came and they did all my paperwork and they popped my waters about 30-45mins or so after I arrived and after about another 30mins I was ready to push and 2 pushes later DS was with us. In the end it really was a lovely birth and although labour lasted FOREVER, if I can have another labour the same as his, I will enjoy birthing this baby as much as I did him. I was so proud to have done it all on my own.
Good luck babe. I hope it all happens soon for you.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Thanks

Everyday the contractions feel different. They were mild on friday, a little stronger yesterday, terrible last night along with back pain and now they are again a little stronger but not as regular but still feeling them in my back.

I have been resting alot today, iv had a massive headache and just feeling tired so incase its not far off i want to make sure i have enough energy and have rested.

I did have my heart set on having her on the 6th as it goes my mum 6th august me 6th december so she would be 6th july. 6 is my lucky number same with my mum. But this was just something silly i came up with i honestly didnt think it would look like it would happen.

[ss_storm]

I did have my heart set on having her on the 6th as it goes my mum 6th august me 6th december so she would be 6th july.

Wouldn't that be cool!! Good luck with it all hun, hopefully it will happen soon, you must be so tired!

[MrsFabuloso]

I did have my heart set on having her on the 6th as it goes my mum 6th august me 6th december so she would be 6th july. 6 is my lucky number same with my mum. But this was just something silly i came up with i honestly didnt think it would look like it would happen.

LOL, I had my heart set on the 27th of August as it is my bday,my mums cousins bday, my nans bday, and my great grandma's bday. I wanted to carry on the tradition!! But he was born on the 17th. My DD was born the 17th April, and I'm hoping this bub will be born the 17th Jan.....though it's due the 21st, lol!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Birth trends are cool i was the 21st my brother the 17th my next brother the 21st and my next brother the 17th... the last one from mum decided to be different and go the 26th... she was sure there was another 21st coming.
I had DD1 on the 7th oct and DD2 the 6th Jan, i was almost sure they were both going to be the 7th.

GL, you could still make it the 6th.. my little girl will be 6mths on teh 6th so :crosfingers: for you

[smiles4u]

I did have my heart set on having her on the 6th as it goes my mum 6th august me 6th december so she would be 6th july. 6 is my lucky number same with my mum. But this was just something silly i came up with i honestly didnt think it would look like it would happen.

... phew i have finally popped back in here to see how all is going for you !!

Ah the number '6' is a thing for us too as i was born '66 and DP '76 and DD was born '06, ... ah you never know your bub might be born something instead like 6mins past 6am or 6pm just to spice things up

Glad to hear your resting it up lots today

[deletedit]

I was having my little contractions 10-30 minutes apart. Bad braxton hicks, really. Water broke on one of them at 11:15 last night. Got to hospital at about 11:30, got declared about 6-7cm, had baby half an hour later. Fun fun fun ...

[LimeSlice]

Congratulations RE!!

You need a BA thread!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

You need a BA thread!

:yeahthat:

Congratulations!!!

I won't lie im a little jealous but thats wonderful news!!

[~TT40~]

Your doing a good job. There is a reason why it takes a long time. Listen to your body, do what it tells you to do. rest. If you are ever worried or unsure call bs, even just for reassurence. And when they ask what do you want to do, its because it is your labour, your body. If you are comfortable at home, stay at home, do what you are doing, but if you dont feel comfortable at home anymore go on in. Them saying to stay home is because you would feel more safe and comfortable in your own space, than doing this early stuff in a foreign room.

You are doing a good job!! try everything, if it doesnt help or work, stop and try something else. and most of all, relax!! stay calm, and don't forget to breath =)

[mummy of 3 boys]

im waiting to hear ur BA!!! Hoping everything runs smooth for u, if i can say any advice is rest up lots, i didnt sleep the night before i had my son and i was so exghausted by the time i had him then i went into theatre and i had no idea where i was or why i was there when i woke up

Rest is a much needed thing so take ur time and dont hurry things along!!

ENjoy being just u and DP while it lasts and goodluck!

[Miss.September]

Congratuations RE!!!

1st Time Mumma - hope it progresses soon for you hon. You must be as tired as hell.

Corelly x