Am I in early labor? (x posted in HB)

C-Momma · 11-06-2009, 11:02 PM

At some point this (early) afternoon I started noticing some contractions and abundant discharge (water didn't break). I paced around the house for a bit, called my dh to let him know what was happening and updated the midwife. My mom picked me up and we went shopping for some last minute things I needed for the birth (towels, wash cloths, herbs, etc...) While shopping, contractions increased and came about every 4 min for more than an hour. Intensity was increasing as well. They tapered off and slowed down once we stopped walking, but continued sporadically. It's been hours since the shopping and the ctx continue...I stopped timing them to keep myself from going crazy...The midwife is standing by but I'm fully aware this could take a looong time.

Dh is scheduled to work 11 hours tomorrow, leaving me alone with our 3 year old. Should he consider calling out? Should he be scrubbing my floors right now and finishing up the grocery shopping while I attempt to sleep through the cramps?! (we're planning a homebirth and the house is not "ready") I just don't want to run him ragged if we still have time.

Does this sound like "it"?!

I'm a ball of excitement and worry...this has been SO exhausting and the thought of enduring this for days is frightening.

Some of the ctx are radiating pain through my entire back, hips and even into my thighs. I never experienced this with my son. Would a heating pad help alleviate some of that discomfort?

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

**Kidzaplenty** · 11-07-2009, 01:57 AM

Sounds like early labor to me. My advice would be to try and get some rest. You will need it.

ella-makes-3 · 11-07-2009, 01:54 PM

Oh my goodness, I just got chills reading your post. So excited!!
It does sound like early labour to me also, and if you can rest then definately do it.
One thing that really helped me after a night and morning of early labour and vomitting ( yuck!) was getting in the shower and letting the water go on my breasts. My m/w told me to do this, and it sounded a little bizarre, but I think I helped my contractions move along.

Good luck, am very excited for you!