Having contractions...

[~Nikki~]

Hey ladies...

I've been having mild contractions all evening, but since I went to bed they really picked up in frequency and intensity.

It's now 01:19am and the contrax are far more uncomfortable lying down, so I'm up again...though I must say since I've been upright they seem to have slowed down again, and when I have one it's certainly more comfortable

ok, so I lied. Just had a contraction, and it wasn't more comfortable at all.

I think this is it...please pray that everything goes well.

Will keep updating as much as I can.

Thanks ladies.

 

[~Nikki~]

Ok, contractions are coming fast, like every 2-3 minutes, but they're not unbearable at all, and they're lasting from 40 secs to 1m 20secs.

Not sure if I should let the midwife know yet...

Any advice???

 

[Lisa0315]

How many weeks are you and is this your first baby?

Lisa

 

[~Nikki~]

How many weeks are you and is this your first baby?

Lisa

I am 40w 2d, and this is my second baby, though first labour. I had an emergency c-section last time after being induced and having waters broken early, which led to fetal distress...

I just wonder whether to warn the midwife that it looks like I'll be calling her out later...but I don't want to wake her (it's now 2:10am) too soon either.

I think I'll leave it til the pain picks up...but I have to remember it takes her an hour to get here, and I don't know if I'm one of those people who have horrendously fast labours or not...I'd like her here in time to catch the baby at least, lol.

Guess I'll leave it for a bit longer, as it's not likely to go that quickly...though right now the contraction I'm having has picked up a LOT in intensity...whew! Still not unbearable though...and I'm the biggest wimp known to man!

Sorry if I'm rambling.

 

[gracepaints]

I'd give a heads up to the midwife. Usually, they recommend going to the hospital when your contractions have been 3 minutes apart and one minute long for 2 hours. (But, since you are having a home birth, you want time for the midwife to get there.) It's also helpful to go by your gut. If you are still feeling pretty excited, you are probably still in early labor. If you are feeling more serious and business-like, then definitely call the midwife because you are likely in active labor.

 

[Leanna]

I would call to warn, but I have had nights on my second pregnancy where they were 2 minutes apart and it still wasn't "it." Do you know the emotional signposts? Wait until the contractions demand your attention.

 

[~Nikki~]

I'd give a heads up to the midwife. Usually, they recommend going to the hospital when your contractions have been 3 minutes apart and one minute long for 2 hours. (But, since you are having a home birth, you want time for the midwife to get there.) It's also helpful to go by your gut. If you are still feeling pretty excited, you are probably still in early labor. If you are feeling more serious and business-like, then definitely call the midwife because you are likely in active labor.

Yeah, I'm not too serious yet...but I just want to make sure she gets here in time.

My in-laws have been here for two weeks now and they have to make a trip to Ireland while they're here, and the crazy thing is that because time's ticking away, we booked their ferry this afternoon, and they're leaving in an hour and a half. Guess they'll be a bit ticked off to miss everything, so maybe we shouldn't tell them, because *proper* labour could still be some time off...but I guess they can hear me clacking on the keyboard here, so they might have some inkling as to what's going on anyway. Oh well, they'll be back on Wednesday...

 

[~Nikki~]

I would call to warn, but I have had nights on my second pregnancy where they were 2 minutes apart and it still wasn't "it." Do you know the emotional signposts? Wait until the contractions demand your attention.

I must say they're definitely starting to demand a fair amount of attention while they're rising to their peak, but on the way down it's fine...and I'm still feeling great in between.

I just feel like I've been so impatient for this baby, and what if it's all in my head...and they disappear after a while. But so far they haven't...

oops, here comes another...

 

[~Nikki~]

ok, they're most definitely getting more intense now...

I'm so tired I just want to doze in between, but they're too uncomfortable for me to be lying on my side...trying to doze whilst sitting up.

 

[Leanna]

woohoo!

 

[Assisi]

Good luck Nikki. I hope it all goes well tonight. I think I would call too, just to warn the midwife.

I know I'm not experienced, but could you rest like this?

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Your labor sounds EXACTLY like my labor was. My son was born 3.5 hours later. I would definitely call the midwife.

 

[~Nikki~]

Called the midwife...who said to call her back later, lol. At least she's aware now.

My in-laws are busy maneuvering (sp?) the pool into place now and I guess we'll start filling it when the contrax pick up a bit more.

Dh is just changing my in-laws' ferry ticket - they're not going anywhere tonight now.

 

[~Nikki~]

Good luck Nikki. I hope it all goes well tonight. I think I would call too, just to warn the midwife.

I know I'm not experienced, but could you rest like this?

Ooh...those pillows look GOOD! Think I'll give it a try.

 

[~Nikki~]

Getting quite uncomfortable now!

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Sounds like this is definitely "it"!

 

[~Nikki~]

Ow!

Ok, that one made my toes wiggle.

 

[~Nikki~]

Sounds like this is definitely "it"!

Oh, I hope so!

I'm so excited to have been *allowed* to go into labour naturally, and to be able to do this at home...I feel so privileged!

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Can't wait to hear your announcement!

 

[~Nikki~]

Ow again!