What do you think is happening & what should I do, anyone? Alan?

[Meluchja]

I'm nearly 39 weeks pregnant. As some of you may be aware I have been having some pre labour symptoms for a few weeks now. For those you don't here is the wrap up.

13 days ago lost MP. First bloody show lasted 1day, 7 days ago, second bloody show last 2 days, 3 days ago. According to my midwife as of friday, I'm 2-3cm dilated, 75% effaced, -2 station engaged. For the last 2 weeks since loosing my MP I have had alot and I mean alot of stringy sticky snotty discharge. I started acupuncture on thursday and had another treatment friday.

O.K, now you know the history, this is what is worrying me.

For the last two days I have had contractions (mildly to medium) coming every 5-10mins, very irregular, lasting approx. 30 seconds. They seem to come in batches but especially afternoon and night, but today they have seem to be around the whole day, but not constant. They aren't getting stronger or closer together, they get worse when I walk around. I have also had for the last 2 days, wet undies. Smells like semen, I don't think it is a leak, I'm thinking it may just be my undies soaking up the moisture from all the discharge I have been getting, but I'm not sure. I'm worried about this as I tested positive to strep B.

DH is wanting me to call the hospital, but I don't want to waste there time or go to the hassle of waking up DD and taking her up there if it is nothing. I have the car tomorrow so I was thinking about going up there then.

What do you all think? Do you think I'm safe to wait until tomorrow if they don't get closer or stronger? What do you think the wetness is from? And what do you think about the contractions? I'm sure it's just my body crying wolf again.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[No.5]

Hi Mel
Sorry I can't be of any help - I've still got all this to look forward to
Just wanted to wish you the best of luck!

[BellyBelly]

Here are some ways to tell if your waters have broken from the BB article Labour Signs: Could I Be In Early Labour?:

Some indicators that your waters that have broken are:

Having no control over the flow
A panty liner is inadequate to absorb the fluid
The pad is wet more than once, and
It doesn’t smell like urine

Some women describe their waters smelling a bit like ‘semen,’ so if you do notice a smell, mention this to the midwife. Your waters should be clear or may have a pink tinge to them. If they are green, brown or any other colour you should get checked out by your doctor or midwife.

When you labour establishes the contractions will become regular and stronger - I would say its still early yet. If you like, check your temperature from home to see if you notice your temp going up (sign of fever or infection). If you notice it I would ring. So see if you think you are in that group above, and decide from there, and be aware if you go to hospital they may want to augment your labour. You can however agree to antibiotics if your waters have broken with no labour, so you can have the chance to labour naturally. As you will likely know, Strep B is transient so you may have been positive at your swab weeks ago, but negative now. You can also have AB's if you show sign of infection.

[Meluchja]

Thanks Nella for your support.

Kelly I don't think it is my waters, I don't seem to be dripping on the loo or anyting. I think it may be just what I thought. The contractions don't seem to be getting stronger or closer, so I think it is just my body crying wolf AGAIN. Will keep an eye on them and see what happens over night. I'm just real worried that if and when it is it, if my waters don't break first, we won't make it to the hospital in time, as the midwifes think that we won't have much time at all. But I guess, will just have to wait and see. Thanks for your help.

[BellyBelly]

Its not crying wolf, its actually working! Its lots of work for your cervix to soften and efface, a cervix is quite long and needs to shorten and thin, so its doing work, dont you worry about that! A nice slow build up is much better than a hard and fast one It's all good trust me

[MumofLewis]

Okay I'm no expert obviously (I'm still waiting), but from all the pre labour stuff I've read, until your contractions are regular and more painful, it sounds like your body is not in labour yet, so you should have time from when it does start. It sounds like your body is one that just has a lot of pre labour symptoms as opposed to some that don't. It's teasing you!
A friend of mine who had BH for a few days said she really knew the difference when real contractions started as they were so regular and strong.

Also all that wetness etc, it could be a number of things that your body is doing in preparation. I have had that some days where there is a lot of wetness and it's def not urine or waters breaking. It must just be bodily fluids of some knind working their magic!

Anyway if you are really worried you should give the hospital a ring, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck anyway and keep us posted!

[Alan]

Hi Mel
I have only just seen your post
Go to the hospital today and get checked. There is a small chance that your waters have broken (if it smells like semen). It also sounds like you are about to go into labour. I understand that walking is more painful but this will help to bring on your labour.
You are almost there. I expect to see a post very soon telling us all about your birth

[Alan]

I should have checked the birth anouncements before posting LOL

[Meluchja]

Thanks Alan, when the contractions went from being 10 mins apart to 3-5mins apart in less than 15mins, I sort of knew that this was it. All up labour was 3 hours and I only pushed for less than 5mins, so big yey for me, no so good for little Jack as he got some bruising from it. Thanks Alan for all your help over the last few weeks, I know I must have been annoying.

[Alan]

Mel
You did not anoy me hun. I was very happy to be able to help