[outdoorgirl81]

Hi All,

This is part vent, part request for general advice, not healthcare advice, I have excellent care providers. I am 37+2 with my second and for the past 4 days have been sustained, very painful contractions throughout the evening and overnight, peaking in the early hours of the morning when I am trying to sleep. They are painful enough that I cannot lie still in bed but have to get on all fours or stand up and lean forward to ride them out. I then have intermittent but very painful contractions throughout the day mixed with my regular braxton hicks, no particular pattern. I have also had a lot of lower back pain, diarrhoea and some nausea. Baby is still very active and is head down, was not engaged at 36 week checkup. On midwife advice I'm trying to do lots of sitting forward, sitting on all fours, rocking on fitball etc for comfort and it does help, as does a shower or bath, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to cope, esp as it could go on for weeks like this!

It's not helped by the fact that my 2 year old is sick with croup, I'm really tired now and would be able to have a nap, but need to look after her, at other times she goes to daycare 2 days still and I could ask other people to watch her for a bit but not while she's sick. My husband is v supportive but desperately trying to finish a work project before bub arrives so I'm reluctant to ask him to take any time off.

If you have had a similar experience, did you end up going early, or did it die down, or did it just go on and on until you finally went into labour? How did you physically and mentally cope with the symptoms?

Thanks in advance

[szj]

OH I so feel for you!!!
Ihad pre labour, much like you are describing with my last pregnancy, baby #5. IT started around 37wks and frustrating Ididn't go into labour until a day before my EDD....even after 2 stretch and sweeps! Losing my plug and trying every trick in the book!\
Ihave no words of advise, other then, rest, hard with a sick child, and relax, yeah right!!!
Idid find that swimming helped me, mentally and physically
ALl the very best, hope you go into labour early
Xxx

OH I so feel for you!!!
Ihad pre labour, much like you are describing with my last pregnancy, baby #5. IT started around 37wks and frustrating Ididn't go into labour until a day before my EDD....even after 2 stretch and sweeps! Losing my plug and trying every trick in the book!\
Ihave no words of advise, other then, rest, hard with a sick child, and relax, yeah right!!!
Idid find that swimming helped me, mentally and physically
ALl the very best, hope you go into labour early
Xxx

[outdoorgirl81]

Thanks SJZ, makes me feel a little better that I'm not the only one, although didn't want to hear you didn't go till your due date. I've got an ob appointment in a week so I'll start with just focusing on getting through till then. And it will me much easier when my daughter gets better.