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Labor: Where were you when it started?
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tracenik
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I'm due to deliver my first kid in mid-May, and I plan to keep working until my due date. I'm paranoid that I'll go into labor at work. I would love to hear your stories about your first contractions, water breaking, etc., and how your colleagues handled everything, or if they even knew what was going on.
I work in radio, and one of my former colleagues felt her first contraction while she was anchoring a newscast. I'm hoping that doesn't happen! |
Anonymous
My water broke while I was sleeping, but that is unusual. While in labor I walked around, drove around, emailed people, made phone calls. Usually it doesn't come on like a freight train -- it starts out mild. 
I love the story of my mother when she went into labor with my brother. She was working off-site that day, about two hours away from home, so she got in the car, drove 2 hours to pick me up at the sitter, went to the supermarket to pick up dinner food for me, dropped off the dry cleaning that was in the car already, went to the bank... and while in the bank, snapped at me. And the teller gave her a look. And my mom said, "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm in labor."  The bank staff practically shoo'ed her right out of there. Then she went home, got me settled, waited for the neighbor girl to come over and watch me, my dad arrived, and off they went. My point being, it is probably not going to cause a scene. For MOST women, water breaking does not happen at the beginning, and even if it does, it can be more of a trickle than a gush. I would have a bunch of pads and a change of pants handy at work, though, and perhaps a chux pad to put on your car seat, for your peace of mind.
Also, think about how many hours a week you spend at work -- the odds are against your going into labor there in the first place. Good luck and congratulations! |
Anonymous
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First time: awoke at 1:30 am with contractions, but the nurse I was working with that afternoon had been watching me and told me I'd go into labor that night (I denied it; she was right).
Second time: awoke at 2:30 am with contractions - but I sensed about 2 days ahead of time that it was coming, so I was prepared. Third time: at home around 7pm while assembling four lasagnas I'd suddenly had the urge to make, and putting dinner on the table. But I'd sort of know for a few days that it was coming and was actually surprised it hadn't happened 24 hours earlier. So it was never a big surprise. For me, at least, the Braxton-Hicks always really ramp up in both intensity and frequency for a day or two before the pain begins. |
Anonymous
| I woke up at 4:30 am with pain that felt like my period, only somewhat worse. It progressed like that thru the morning, and got worse and worse. I realized around 2pm that this could be it, since the pain kept coming back. At 5pm we called the doctor, and at 7 went to the clinic (this was overseas, so I was at a women's clinic, not a hospital). I gave birth at 11:45pm - NATURAL - and it was HELL. I'd recommend an epidural to you, if you are so inclined. By the way, we had sex the day before, so I guess that does bring on contractions. |
Anonymous
| The Irish Inn at Glen Echo. Ah, good times, that place. |
Anonymous
| At home with contractions starting around 4:30am. After hours of walking, baths, and some melodramatic groaning went to the hospital around 7pm. I also worked until my due date (actually, due date was a Monday so I stopped on Friday) and the baby was born on my due date. My water never broke. |
Anonymous
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My contractions started at home. So we went to a museum, then out to dinner, then home to bed. Slept until 3:30 a.m. when things really got intense. Water broke at 8 a.m., went to the hospital, baby born at 11. I wouldn't worry about going into labor at work. You'll have plenty of time.
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Anonymous
| my water broke while i was sleeping too. woke up at 6 am. no contractions so i had to go to the hospital and get induced. baby born at 1 am. it was my first child and i was sure it would be a week after the due date but it was the day before my due date so i was surprised. |
Anonymous
| Woke up at 1 am and my water had broken--not a ton, the big gush came later at the hospital--took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on, at first I thought I'd wet the bed! |
Anonymous
| My water broke at 9:30am on a Sunday morning. I was checking my Blackberry and preparing to work all day, so was delighted to have an excuse not to! |
Anonymous
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I had taken the week off leading up to my Friday due date.
Monday - I hit BuyBuyBaby. Tuesday - lounged around - so tired. Wednesday - 2:00 am - stomach ache/period ache with trip to the bathroom. Pink discharge on toilet paper. Then looking at the clock for 5 minute contractions....they were like clock work..on the ball... Took a shower at 4;00 am, blew dry my hair (no joke) Called my OB (Rieter/Hill) at 5:00 am - doc was pissed to get a call (Nevin). Then went to Sibley at 6:00 am. Delivered at 1:30 - was a easy delivery thank god. Brought way too much to the hospital...cd player, music, etc. Not needed. Just comfortable sweat pants and a men's button down! |
Anonymous
| Water broke first with both babies...at home, fortunately. Carry a hand towel ( a pad won't work) with you just in case you're not at home! |
Anonymous
| Started at home at 4:30 am. Wasn't sure I was actually in labor. I took a shower at 7:00 am, got ready for work, packed my bag for the hospital just in case. Once at office, realized I was in labor, went to my doctor's office at 9:00 am where my water broke, went to hospital and delivered at 7:00 pm that night. |
Anonymous
| Only 10% of all labors begin with the water breaking - and of those, only half of them actually have a big gush of water. Most people start labor with painless, sporadic contractions that take several hours to turn into something a little more regular and noticable. Chances are, no matter where you start labor, it will be low-key and even leave you wondering if you are *really* in labor. No worries! |
tracenik
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You have all taken a load off my mind. Thank you. Blame first-time jitters!
I love how some of you just went about your day - especially PP's mother. That is too funny. I do remember back in high school, seeing a bunch of teachers gathered around a very pregnant colleague of theirs. They all seemed in high spirits and had just raised a coffee toast. I asked what was going on. "Oh, we're having a labor party for Mrs. A," one said. She had been in labor all day. Shortly after, she called her husband, he picked her up and drove her to the hospital, and a couple of hours later, they had a baby boy. I want it to be so easy... |