What is going on?

[Jacksta75]

Hi All,
I'm 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant - argh!!!! Yesterday on my due date my obs did a stretch and sweep and as this is my second pregnancy he said I was a couple of centimetres dilated. He also said my cervix was very soft and expects that i would go into labour very soon. That was yesterday at 1pm and it is now 36 hours later and nothing! I've had some spotting and a slight "show" yesterday, and also some cramping and contractions about 10 mins apart, but everything stopped about 8.30pm last night. This morning I woke at 4am with bad period pain in my lower back, so got up and started having contractions or braxton hicks about 10 mins apart again, quite strong and then they stopped at 8.30am! Is this normal? Last pregnancy I got induced 2 weeks over and never had all of this. I have actually been having braxton hicks quite strongly now about 10 mins apart on and off for about 2 weeks. I'm really hoping to not get induced this time. Any ideas??

[Alan]

Hi Jacksta

Unfortunately it is not unusual for contractions to start then stop. It is also very common to have some spotting after a stretch and sweep.
To help to get things moving you could try:-
Lots of sex.
Nipple stimulation.
Evening Primrose Oil.
Black Cohosh.

[Jacksta75]

Thanks Alan for your quick response. I have actually been trying your top two suggestions for the last couple of days (??TMI) and have been drinking rasberry leaf tea for the last 6 weeks. I haven't tried the evening primrose or the last suggestion - can't remember what it is called. I have been walking around the house doing squats (although my knees are creaking from all the weight) as well. I didn't have a very good experience last time being induced so really hope I go before then. Does Rasberry leaf tea have a similar reaction to Primrose oil, or would it be worth taking it as well?
Cheers, Jac

[Alan]

Raspberry Leaf Tea increases the nutrients to your uterus. Evening Primrose Oil helps to promote contractions. Take the Evening Primrose Oil as it says on the bottle but also insert 2-4 caps high into your vagina at bedtime. Put a pad on as things can get a little messy in the morning.
I would recommend that you use them together. You can also add black Cohosh 40mg a day. It should be available at your chemist or health food shop.

[mummy2chloe]

hey hun

just wanted to check in to see how you are going?

fingers crossed it wont be long till you get to hold your little one in your arms xxx

[Jacksta75]

Unfortunately I'm still here! I've now been having shooting pain into my groin and tops of my legs and it feels like when I squat down a hand will poke out. I constantly feel heavy and uncomfortable but also have constant pain- not contractions. I hope that doesn't mean somethings wrong. I keep getting weak contractions anywhere between 10mins and 1 hour. My next obs appointment isn't until Wed, so 4 more sleeps. I don't know if they'll do another stretch and sweep or not. I hope to god I don't make it to the next visit. As I didn't go into labour naturally last time I don't know if this shooting pain and constant pain is normal. Not sure if I should call my hospital and ask or if i'll sound like a hyperchondriac. I went to bunnings this morning to pass the time and started having the shooting pains into the tops of my legs and groin and thought my waters were going to break, but I shuffled around while DH made his purchases. We were gone about 2 hours and when we got home I had major kankles! Oh the joy! I honestly think that my body wants to go into labour but is not capable. Last time round I got induced by both the drip and waters breaking and after 13 hours of 2 min apart contractions I said I needed an epidural coz couldn't handle pain anymore, so while waiting for the aneasthetist, the midwives turned off my drip to slow things down a bit, but my contractions stopped all together. So I reckon I have a dopey uterus that doesn't know how to have regular contractions. I bet that I will have to be induced again!
I know I shouldn't whinge and that I should just be happy that I will have a happy, healthy baby - eventually, but I am so over this pregnancy. My 18month old daughter doesn't understand I can't be jumped on and can't sit on the ground and play with her, or carried around all day. Life goes on....
Sorry for crapping on. Thanks for your concern though!
Cheers, Jac