Started having contractions last night at about 3am - timed them for an hour or so and they were every 5-7 mins, lasting about 1.5mins, but fairly gentle, so after an hour I decided to try and get some more sleep in the spare room so as not to disturb the family. Woke up at about 6.30am with the same frequency and duration, but a bit stronger, so decided to go with it for a bit. Grace came in for milk at about 7.30am, and I thought nursing might really kick things off, but they got less defined and further and further apart, and by the time we got up at 9am (yes, lazy I know, but she likes a long nurse in the mornings), they had completely gone - no sign at all now :(

I know it’s ridiculous, but it’s Grace’s birthday on Saturday, and I really wanted to be done and dusted either before then, or before Christmas, which is a really big deal with my extended family. I had a 39hr labour with grace, so was hoping it might all be over by Saturday. Not a lot of chance of that now….

Sorry to moan, just feeling a bit sorry for myself (and very tired now!)

Angie

No advice, but I have my fingers and other appendages crossed for you. x

(((hugs)))
2nd births are often much quicker than first, so still could happen…

I had the same with my second - with the added stress of a midwife hassling me because my waters had broken and she wanted me to go in to hospital.

As soon as this midwife went off duty, the the overnight one came and introduced herself, things kicked off again in the evening and he was born 2:20am.

I think I only labour in the dark - DD was another where strong contractions started in the evening and she was born in the early hours. She was my first and also a very long labour - over several days until it really got going (but strong enough for the tens machine to be required most evenings that week).

Rest today and hopefully tonight things will start again for you

I had an equally long labour with my daughter as you, though I managed to get through it without much tiredness! But I do hear you….39 hours is a long time to be going at it but you know, these things do just take their time (sometimes)

I found when I was in labour (both times with my daughter and my little one) that if you really concentrate and visualise the rushes, imagine them sweeping over you like the sea on the sand, almost willing them to happen but really its about being fully present with each one, they seem to happen a lot more frequently. I dont know if this was actually the case, but I certainly felt like by me actively taking part in the build up to each rush seemed to encourage them along a bit. Perhaps you could try this if you think it might work for you, its all about being present. Fully present. I know you have things to do with Grace and other daily life tasks, but it sounds as though something started to happen for you, and if you could just have some time to really focus and be there with yourself it might give your body (and babe) the ‘push’ it needs to kick things off again.

Of course, your baby will arrive when s/he is ready and that part is out of our control, and I know it must feel very disheartening to have thought things were starting and now they seem at a standstill, but I say give it a go, connect and be present, really imagine you are rushing and ENJOYING it. Those feel good hormones might start something off, but even if they dont just yet, at least you’ll feel a little less anxious about it all.

We cant time when our babies arrive, unfortuneatly or fortuneately, so I know you have all these preparations, but just let it be. Dont over think it, dont try to be in control of it, just allow yourself complete connection to your baby and his or her birth.

Sending you positive and healing birth vibes. x

Hopefully baby will start to think about coming along soon and will be here by Saturday. Thinking of you.

xx

Fingers crossed for you. Xx

Good luck Angie. Fingers crossed things will happen quickly and smoothly for you. As someone mentioned earlier, second time is usually quicker than the first time, so it might still happen before Saturday. Thinking of you. Hugs, Bianca

I laboured for 39 hrs with DS1, with DS 2 it was 7 hrs so it could happen much faster this time.
Hope it all starts happening for you soon, all these contractions are doing their thing so that when you do go into labour it’ll be a short and easy one.

Thank you folks - it’s been a busy day, but I’m feeling more ok about it now. And Amourinstar - don’t cross everything!!! Were having OPEN thoughts!

Angie

Well my candle is on its way, so maybe baby is just waiting for that!  Thinking of you Angie and hoping it kicks off for you v soon! xxx

We are having nice open thoughts for you here…and hoping the baby arrives before my candle, with christmas post being what it is!!!!!!
Cant wait for the exciting news you have had your baby…..fingers crossed xxxxxxxx

Yes, lots of open thoughts for you here too!    I hope things will start soon for you hun, and then progress at a good pace. Thinking of you!

Lots of love,
SunshineXX

lots of positive thoughts heading your way from me xx

It’s so frustrating huh?!

But trust your body - trust your baby - it will arrive exactly when it is supposed to arrive.

Sending positive opening vibes, enjoy this very last phase of the pregnancy if you can.

Much love x x x

Oh thinking of you and sending you labour vibes. Holding you in my thoughts.

Uma x