In Labor

[Ethanmum]

Hello vbac mommies,

My due date was yesterday and I've been going to the doctor for the last 3 weeks for a sweep and on all occasions my OB was unable to reach my cervix because she said it was completely closed. Tried again yesterday and couldn't get inside but she did mention that it was thinning.

So I went for accupuncture in the evening and shortly after that I started having some mild contractions...well I woke up around midnight with very bad cramp like feeling and had this going on every 5 minutes...I could breath through them but some were really painful.

At around 3a.m I went to the washroom and saw blood in the toilet, bright red but not heavy just a few drops..I got scared and contacted my doula who told me to watch for any heavy bleeding. Eventually, they faded to just a bright pink show and now it's just dark and not that much at all.

I have not lost my mucus plug, or at least I haven't seen it.

The contractions are still coming but not as regular as they were during the night, I haven't called the hopsital or my doctor's office as I don't see why I should.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had this experience with the bleeding and not lost a mucus plug? By the way, I've been using EPO internally. Do I continue or stop?

2. Is this real labor or false labor? The contractions are really intense and lasts about 30-40 seconds?

3. How long do I wait until calling or going to the hospital, I dont want to go there to early and set myself up for failure.

By the way, my OB wants me to pickup my pre op forms at her office on wednesday for a section on friday, because she's willing to let me go only 1 week overdue..hopefully I wont need it.

thanks in advance..



S

[prancie]

First, it is normal to have some bloody show when you lose or begin to lose your mucus plug. I would go with what your doula advises. There is no "false" labor, you may be in prodromal labor, which can come and go, but all contractions are doing something. Time will tell if birth is imminent!

As for your doc not letting you go over more than a week, it's your body and you are not required to submit to surgery that you do not want. I would never submit to a c-section unless there was serious fetal distress. It sounds like labor is imminent for you so I wouldn't worry so much, as for the pre op stuff, do what you like but when it comes to scheduling surgery you can tell them where to go.

Your doula, if she is good, should be able to help you determine when to go to the hospital. I would personally wait until I went through transition, even if it meant laboring in the parking lot or at a nearby hotel.

It does sound like you are in labor or will be very soon.

[MNHall]

I don't have too much advice, but I will say, my real contractions were only lasting about 30 seconds for the first 3-4ish hours. The last hour, before my water broke, they increased to about a minute long each. Only 45 minutes after my water broke, I was pushing. So, not that this will happen to you, but my doula was doubting that I was really in labor, she thought I was dehydrated...but no, it was REAL!

As for when to call...well, my cue was when I said to myself....if this isn't it, I'm gonna be freaking pissed because there's NO WAY I can handle MORE than this! At this point, I was about 15 minutes away from my transition phase...so, like the previous person mentioned, I was only in transition in the hospital!

If I were you, I'd have a good call with your doula, since she probably knows a lot more about what you're plans are!

I hope this is it for you! Good luck!

[kltroy]

Hopefully you're too busy with labor to read this...
I didn't lose my mucus plug until I was WELL into labor - like in transition. I also didn't have any blood, so can't comment on that.

To address your other questions:
2. You'll be able to tell because in active labor: contractions become more closely spaced and intense, occur regularly, and cause cervical change. You will know it's really real when you need to concentrate by sighing, counting your breaths, whatever, to get through them.

3. See previous answer. Once you decide you're really in for the long haul and are thinking about heading to the hospital, pack your bag (if not packed yet) and go take a nice long shower. After you're out and dressed you can head over. You'll be glad you did.

You can always "forget" to pick up the forms. Even on Friday (if you don't already have your baby) you can just call and cancel - say you're in early labor and there's no point in doing the surgery.