early labor . . .

[kristen1978]

41 weeks today.

Bloody show for last two days. Been contracting every 5 minutes or so since noon yesterday. Went from mentrual like cramps to quite a bit more uncomfortable (hard to talk through) back and uterine contractions. Am almost completely effaced, but only a fingertip or so dilated. Babe is low -- can feel her noggin behind a bulgy bag. Have eaten, rested, walked, and don't really want to do anything else to "get things moving," but come on already! Ouchie contractions should, in my book, at least lead to opening of the cervix . . . . otherwise it just isn't fair, now is it?

Anyone else getting a tad discouraged at the moment?

[Jster]

! Sounds very tough...try to not focus on whether you're making "progress" or not and instead just relax and let your body do the work. Easier said than done, I know!! Looking forward to an announcement and birth story soon!!

[PPK]

sounds like things are moving!! I had been told that with baby #1 your edd is on 41 weeks, 1 day..so this could be it (for me it was). good luck!

[gratefulmum]

I'm not quite to the discouraged place yet. I finally lost my plug yesterday and have been feeling baby down low doing things to my cervix today, but I haven't had any of the contraction stop and go game that you have had. I'm sure that would totally drive me s
I did the "first time birthers" EDD calculation (dd a scheduled c/s) and that puts me at Monday, the third...Labor Day! Ha ha. Of course, the day that my mw has penciled in as a day off. But, since I would really prefer that baby did not come on Sunday, that will probably be the day.
Like Jster said, try to just let your body do the work. It sounds like you're on the right track if you have restrained from any of the "labor boosters" that seem so appealing at anytime past 39 weeks.

[plummum]

Good luck!!

[kristen1978]

still working and waiting

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies. Still here, with contractions a little more intense and a little bit closer together, but only about 1-2cm.

Great advice, I completely agree intellectually. Emotionally, though, I'm finding that it is sooo hard not to focus on the "progress" aspect, even though I know better! . I wouldn't think of it (dilation) at all, in fact, but I've been eyeing the Aquadoula all evening, but I know I need to do some opening up before I climb in there :.

DP has been awesome, and I'm still in good spirits, but struggling to stay that way! I hope everyone is enjoying their babes or rockin and rollin with the birthin'!!