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3rd Trimester
sweetmelodies&harmonies
member
Is anyone awake? I think I'm in labor ...
sweetmelodies&harmonies
member
Have had cramping since yesterday, bloody show started this morning, got really uncomfortable with cramps around 7pm tonight, went to bed at 9, and am up because the cramps are a bit too intense for sleep.
I found this article, and I have all the "signs" of early labor. Now I'm just drinking some tea and trying not to wake DH. What else should I do? I wish it weren't the middle of the night ... I'd like to do a load of laundry! 
Early or Latent Phase
The early phase of labor may be spent
wondering "Is this really labor?" The contractions are usually very
light and may be 20 minutes or more apart in the beginning, gradually
becoming closer, possibly up to five minutes apart. The key to this
stage is to go about your normal schedule or if it's the middle of the
night go back to bed! Most women will be very comfortable during this
stage and with a few exceptions those having a hospital birth will not
be in the hospital at this point.
Some women will have much
more frequent contractions during this phase, though the contractions
will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute. You may also
notice increasing mucous discharge from the vagina, which may be tinged
with blood ? the so-called "bloody show." This is perfectly normal;
however, if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your
midwife or doctor.
Sometimes the contractions in the latent
phase can be quite painful, though they may be dilating your cervix much
more slowly than you'd like! If you're typical, though, your
contractions in this early phase won't require the same attention that
they will later in labor. Some women even doze off between contractions.
Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids so that you stay well hydrated.
And don't forget to urinate frequently (even if you don't feel the
urge), since an empty bladder leaves more room for the baby to descend.
Signs
of Early Labor:
*
Backache
*
Menstrual like cramps
*
Indigestion
*
Diarrhea
*
Warm Sensation of Abdomen
*
Bloody Show
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Is anyone awake? I think I'm in labor ...
I definitely want to stay home as long as possible, since we're hoping for a natural, intervention-free birth!
All the articles say that I should try to go back to bed, but I can't! The contractions are more intense when I'm lying down for some reason. And now I'm wondering when to call my parents!
Yea I want to labor at home for as long as possible too. Definitely find something to do to keep you busy since you can't sleep. I wouldn't be able to sleep either. I'd bake some muffins or work on some kind crafty project, try to keep my mind off what is currently going on. (Something to keep me calm; I'd be way excited and anxious if I were you.) I would even keep active by walking around the house.
Good luck! Hope you have a swift delivery!