Labor & Birth

Giving birth is wild. From contractions to water births, hospital bags to c-sections, here’s what you need to know. Read real stories from real mamas and explore expert advice on what to expect during labor and birth.

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My waters

I think my waters have gone. I keep just leekng and I've been to the bathroom to to pee and I'm still leeking. Is that my waters? I'm 39+4 today and I had a sweep a week ago and have been 2cms since then and I've lost my mucus plug also since then

Z
22

Burning pain

Please help. My GP was so dismissive and unhelpful that I’ve now applied to be registered at a different surgery. 8 weeks ago I had an emergency c section and appeared to heal well. About 4 weeks post c section, I started getting a burning sensation in the left side of my abdomen just above the wound site. The wou...

D
7

Labour

I think I’m in labour I’m having regular tightenings and it’s painful enough that I’m using my TENS machine. I went in to be checked 7-8hrs ago as I thought my waters were leaking and they were, also got my bloody show. We got home at 2am and I’ve tried to sleep inbetween but haven’t managed to, also it seems to me ...

Incognito
1
6

He’s finally here🩵

All 9lbs of him lol, had an induction and made it to around 6cm before needing an epidural, luckily my epidural worked wonders and while I didn’t really feel pain I felt a ton of pressure and could intuitively still tell when and how I needed to push so I only pushed for 20 minutes and had no tearing ❤️ here’s my ch...

A
11
6

Induction/ breaking waters?

Hey , I will be getting induced tomorrow but my last cervical exam I was 2cm & apparently she could feel his head .. so does that mean tomorrow if they check and I’m still 2cm or progressed will they just break my waters ? & also can birthing partners stay over night x

Incognito
13

Contractions? Labor?

The ones with 2 dots were very mild could just touch my belly and feel it getting soft and hard. The last one with 3 dots took my breath away and lasted much longer but I haven’t had on since and that was 10 minutes ago

C
8

Hospital recommendation

Hello! I’m looking at either St Mary or Queens Charlotte hospital due to both similar distance from home. Any1 been to either hospital for birth? Thank you!

Incognito
6

When will labor come ?

I’m 36+1 and have been extremely tired lately, having braxton hicks contractions more frequently these past few days compared to last week, and although I used to be constipated I have now had no issue going #2. My water hasn’t broke and i’ve actually had minimal discharge, but it seems all the other signs are of ea...

N
7

False labor

Has anyone had super intense false labor?! I've been having contractions every 5-10 minutes that last about 1 minute long for about 4 hours. (I'm using the 3-1-1 rule so not going to hospital until contractions are 3 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour). But I've read that falls labor can also be i...

Incognito
8

first time mom home birth?

I am 19yrs old and 27 weeks pregnant. I am extremely into everything holistic and I would really love to have a home birth/water birth for my delivery. I am low-risk and healthy however due to certain family members negative opinions on home births I feel nervous about doing it for my first pregnancy because I have ...

A
5

Hospital stay

Does anyone know if you HAVE to stay 2 nights after giving birth? If all is well with me and baby can I go home after the first night? My son will be 23 months and I’m nervous to leave him, I’ve never been away from him more than a few hours :/

Incognito
3

C-section date at Southmead?

Hi all, I am seeing my consultant next week (36weeks) at southmead for a scan and to discuss c-section. which is due to happen at 39weeks. Will I be given the date of the c-section at this appointment or will I have to wait longer? Thank you

Incognito
8

Elective section

Is anyone requesting an elective section ? I am very anxious and I think I want to request a section I am so nervous to ask midwife thou

Y
6

Mum’s at the birth?

I always thought I’d invite my mum to the birth of my baby, especially my first so have asked her to come along (it’s about a 1.5hour drive from where she lives). The closer I’m getting the more I’m unsure whether I’ll want her there/what her role will be in the room. Guess I’m just wondering if others had their...

Incognito
1
8

She’s here

Baby Livvy 🤍💫 Last 6 weeks of my pregnancy have been nothing but stress with growth scans as she’s a small baby & worrying about but the size of her head but she was born 6lb 4oz with head within range for her weight. Small but healthy 🩷 I was booked for an induction today but naturally went into labour 12 hours…

L
55
8

Friday 14th

Im scduled for 9am this Friday 14th for my c section and im absolutely am terrified. Any advice

T
22
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