midwife/doula need help confused pre labour signs

[grecksta]

Hey guys,

I have a question this is my second full term pregnancy i had one misscarriage. i have been leaking from boobs a little on and off since 20 weeks. which i did with my first pregnancy so very normal for me i am 37 weeks and the other night i was just sitting and all of a sudden my boobs felt really weird heavy and very very itchy. i went to the toilet so i could itch them properly instead of tensing them in public lol to try rid of itch.

so any ways im itching in the toilet and when i brought my hand out i kid not it was like my had was full of milk and now comming to think of it the weird sensation i felt was like the let down feeling you get when breast feeding and my boobs felt really really heavy.

just wondering if anyone eles has felt this and experienced simmilar and if it means that your body will soon be ready is it a sign of the onset of labour? i have continual back ache but on and off crampy stuff that goes around my body in a band like pain also.

cheers

Joide

[kadownie]

Hey Jodie,

Talked to Mum and another midwife- who seemed to think it was very normal- not necessarily indicative on the onset of labour- but obviously your body is getting ready.

Are you sitting forward- lets hope bubby is in the right position this time...lots of crawling around on the floor should help.

Not sure about the cramps that are coming and going- does it feel like light contractions???

My phone is with me all the time- call if you need to. I'm packing my bag tomorrow...

[grecksta]

Hey Kylie,

the crampy things feel like the start of contractions but they just dont last sooooooooo they come and go...:no:

I packed my bags 1 for me and 1 for bubby2 nights ago just in case:fingerscrossed:

all except for what im going to wear in hospi cas i dont really have button ups is that what you need for breast feeding ive only got that 1 top i showed you that i brought from myer..

cheers I have my phone continually charged just in case...

[kadownie]

Are you having contractions/pains around the same time every day- evening perhaps?? Every little surge is doing something- getting you ready... rest as much as you can.

Where whatever you want at the Hospital- they have gowns you can wear- it doesn't matter as long as you're comfy

Personally- in regards to breastfeeding tops- just wear what you're comfy in- the top you have is great!! Button through tops tend to be a bit of a pain- you expose more boob- In hospy I just took my top off...hmm- nice visual there- or wore something that I could just lift up. Probably better to take Pj's rather than a nightie- and a few pairs in case they get dirty.

Phone is charged- have to go and pack my bag!!

[grecksta]

Hey Kylie,

comming to think about it yeah i do get these pains around the same time most of the time sometimes in the day but mostly at night..
i wnder why that is?

yes good to know i guess its just body's way of preparing..

what are you packing in your bag?

Have you got any relaxation music? i bought 2 off ebay they havent arrived yet hopefully they will soon thinking if i have some relaxing music it will help me to relax a bit more in labour and let my body do it's thing:idea: :ecomcity:

any ways i hope you are feeling better, hear from you soon...

Cheers Jodie

[kadownie]

Hi,

Not sure why you get them at night- probably cause you are relaxing and slowing down- not as much adrenaline. most women tend to go into labour at night- so maybe your labour will start around the time your contractions are starting now. I would start going to bed when they start- in case they are for real- that way you will get some rest- don't worry- you won't sleep through labour. If you do experience diarroeah (sp?) and contractions- that could definately indicate something is up- give me a call then!! About what time are they starting at the moment? How long do they go for and how far apart are they?

In my bag I'm packing a spare set of clothes in case I get wet in the shower, a sports drink for you (what's your favourite gatorade flavour) some food and drink, oil for massage, my camera's- oh- by the way- I can't get a hold of the video camera- sorry. And your birth plan! at least 2 copies!

I was thinking about bringing some cloth nappies and a bucket- I know- sounds strange- but as you aren't allowed to use hot water bottles (well I think you're not) we could fill the bucket with hot water and use the nappies as a hot compress. Let me know what you think

Also, can you pack in your bag my copy of 'Preparing for Birth- for Mothers-' I think in the back of it it's got some blurb about interventions and risks and effects- good to have on hand if we need to refer to it-

Do you know if the hospy has birth balls- I'm sure they would- but if they don't we should bring yours- I've got an electric pump I can bring...

If you think of anything else- that I should have or you think you might want- let me know!

I don't have any relaxation tapes- sorry. Hope you get yours soon and you can 'practise' relaxing!! Get David to give you a back rub while you listen to it.

talk soon

[grecksta]

Hi kylie,

the pains start around 8pm and come on and off for a couple of hours were pretty persistant for a week there but last 2 nights just a few niggles but not the same.. so i have had a nice rest there...:thumbsup:
but i had not diareer(sp) but loose bowel motions for the lAst 3 days with the pains thats why i thought something may have been up..:no:

about the drink i like berry ice but thats the only one ive had but i like that one

about the bucket and the cloth nappies that sound like an excellent idea great thinking:yelclap:

i didnt know that hospitals didnt allow hot water bottles that is interesting.

i will go and put that birthing for mothers in my bag now so i dont forget it

i think the hospy has birth balls but i have mine here on hand just in case anyways

What kind of food are you packing just thinking bout what i should pack in there for david...

i packed my self some minties and cool balls and a couple of honey seseme snacks just to keep my energy any other suggestions for me? cas i didnt do this with lachlan..

i have been reading a lot on bubhub this week in the labour and birth question section and there was a question on which position did people birth in and it seems that a lot of first time girls birthed on there back and got an epesiotomy and the 2nd time round they kneeled on the bed leaning over the bed head for support and alot recommended this and a lot didnt get any stiches this way also. and a couple on there hands and knees.

do you think that squatting would make that whole area open wider though rather than kneeling? defenatly more straining on the body squating for a long period ive been trying to do squatting while watching tv to get my legs prepared but i cant stay in that position for long at all it really plays on my legs and im not in labour. lol

Cheers hear from you soon
Jodie:wave:

[kadownie]

Hi Jodie

- that's interesting about your pains starting around 8pm- I bet it's after you've put Lachlan to bed and you're winding down some- your body knows hey. I would say if they keep at it for 3 hours, and increase in regularity and intensity- to give me a call... especially if you're getting loose bowel movements...can be a bit of a sign- and if bubby has been particularly quiet that can signal as well- but everyone is different.

Cool- I'll pack the bucket and nappies- I must have read it somewhere- or a friend may have said that she used that with someone in labour once- but a homebirth- so I think the water was really really hot- it is hot in the hospy- but it can't go over a certain temp for health and safety reasons. I think the hot water bottle thing is for the same reason- though if you wanted one you could sneak one in and we could hide it in a pillow case or something- they sometimes have electric heat pads- but I didn't find them very hot at all.

Not sure about the food- some apples, crackers, cup of soup, mueslie bar maybe- just something to keep me going. Ask David what he wants- maybe he should organize that for himself.. there's always vending machines but they are so expensive. Across the road from the hospital there is a little grocery store- not sure if they're open in the middle of the night..

I asked Mum what she thought about the best position to birth in to avoid an epi- she said it depended on the situation- but on all fours is good- though she spefically said that squatting while pushing increases the risk of perineal trauma- (tearing)- however squatting in between contrations, and pushing will help lower the baby as it definately opens you up- lots of work though-but I know you can do it!! I think a lot of it depends on the skill of the midwife/ob and their views on epi's and tearing- have you been using the castor oil??

As for practicing squatting- try a supported squat- put a chair in front of you- or two either side of you and lean on them for support- or you could get David to support you from behind- this will be good practice for him to get used to some of the positions- I think in 'Preparing for Birth- for fathers' there are some diagrams of a supported squat- as well as other positions- would David help you practice them?? Good prep for him!!

Have a good night- I'm hoping you don't go in the next few days- I have a dreadful cold- should be better by Tuesday!! but if not- I'll just have to take some Sudafed!!

Bless you- rest up