? for BTDT mommas...re labour...

[tuffykenwell]

Okay I feel like a goober for asking this LOL but I haven't ever experienced "real" labour (I was induced for Rhys) so I thought I would ask for some opinions on whether anyone thinks I might actually be going into labour

Last night DH did a foot massage and I did some nipple stimulation...had major braxton hicks for many hours but still managed to get some sleep. This morning I woke up with a back ache and a sore butt (almost like I had pulled a muscle but I hadn't KWIM?) Then around 1pm I started to feel "twingy" which I have felt before but usually it was accompanied by braxton hicks with no noticeable pattern at all...this still doesn't have a definite pattern but I have reduced from about 1 every 1/2 hour to now where it is between 1 ever 10-18 or so minutes.

I also lost part of my plug (this has been happening for days so no big deal) and I am starting to have a brownish "show" when I wipe (sorry for the TMI). Oh and I am feeling kind of nauseous too.

Now I am feeling quite a bit of pressure and the "contractions" (still not willing to call them that LOL in case it all turns out to be nothing) appear to be slowly get closer together...but they aren't painful. They sort of feel like menstrual cramps so definitely noticeable but not painful.

So what do you all think? I would hate to get excited and then have it turn out to be a false alarm but honestly I have never (not in my whole pregnancy with Rhys and not ever in this pregnancy so far) ever wondered if "this was it" so this is a first for me

Plus according to my mw's receptionist my appt for Monday is a "lucky appt" because it has already been cancelled by another client because she had her baby LOL so it would be cool if I got to cancel it too

So any opinions? I have my birthing kit all ready and Rhys has actually gone to spend the weekend with my ILs (the first time I have ever been away from him overnight...sniff) which was actually planned several weeks ago so really this weekend would be ideal.

Opinions please

Steph

[BabyOsMommy]

Wish I could be of help but I was induced with #1 when my water broke and labour didn't start. Hope it is for you though! Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Yummymummy74]

Sounds like your body is really gearing up Steph! woo hoo !

With my last baby my contractions never got regular..some womyn just never will get that way kwim? and fwiw when my contractions started they were painless and the only different sensation about them was that I could feel the pressure of the babies head pushing down Keep in mind I was already basically complete at this point!

I never get show until I am actually *in labour* if that helps you any..again this can be dependant on the person though..I think the best thing you can do is try and ignore it and if its the real deal you will totally know soon enough :LOL

hth

[irinam]

Are you having a home-birth or hospital birth?

I would have a Dr or Midwife check me.

I had 2 "false alarms" were I cam e to the hospital, was thoughroly checked out and then sent home with smiles and "we will see you in a week" saying.

Just tell them you want to be checked out, it's no biggy IMHO

[momsmyjob]

I think the show is a good sign of labor starting soon. One of my labors started a few hours after some slight spotting.

[tuffykenwell]

I am planning a VBAC homebirth but I don't want the clock to start just yet so I am just going to sit tight. It is looking good though I still think I am very early but the contractions are coming pretty steady with no "assistance" so I am pretty hopeful.

Steph

[irinam]

I see your EDD is on Nov4, so it is about time

Stay strong and easy delivery to you and Niamh

[Seeking Refuge]

Good luck, Steph. I am thinking about you tonight.

[scheelimama]

Kinda' sounds like it might be the real deal. Keep us posted!

[tuffykenwell]

Well I went and had a bit of a nap and now things seem to be picking up again. I have my two candles lit (nicknamed "dilation" and "effacement" LMAO) and I keep meditating on them and chanting about how my cervix is melting just like the candles...kind of corny I know but hey it passes the time

Contractions are definitely getting more intense but I am still not at the point where I have to make any noise or even stop what I am doing during them so I am still not going to call the mw's (unless I start to feel a sudden urge to push but I doubt I am THAT lucky

I will let DH sleep for another hour or so and then I'll probably drag him around the block for an early morning walk I am loving this labouring on my own and I can't help but contrast it to my labour with Rhys...wow what a difference! I may not be doing much "work" at this point but I am enjoying going with the flow KWIM?? I am not in any hurry (well okay I am getting excited to FINALLY see Niamh in person!!) so I am just going to relax and take things as they come for at least the next little while.

DH keeps asking when I am calling the midwives in LOL and I just keep saying "not yet...I'll know when I need to call them " I don't know if he actually believes that this is actually IT yet though I have never before even suggested that I might be in labour LOL!

Come on Niamh I want to see your face!!

Steph

[scheelimama]

I'll be thinking of you Steph! My dh bugged me the entire evening too when I was in labor. If he would have had his way we would have been to the birth center 3 hours sooner.
Oh, and I was still in denial that I was really in labor when we got there and I was dialated to an 8. My contractions were really intense and I prefered not to talk through them, but I could if I had to. I kept hanging onto the "you shouldn't be able to talk through them" thing. Good luck!

[Grantsmommy]

Hope you labor is progressing, Steph. Don't wait too long to call the mw and at least give her a "heads up" that something may be happening. The second baby can come a lot faster...I know mine did. The mw almost had to do it without her assistants because I progressed so rapidly. Most of my contractions were 6-ish mins apart until I got to 8 cm.

Good luck! I'm thinking of you!