Slow early labour - how long?

[Sleepthief]

I'm about 38 weeks with DC4 and have been getting painful but not totally regular contractions since the wee small hours of this morning (waking me up and keeping me awake). I'm fairly sure this is early labour, but no idea how long it could go on for... With DS2 I had regular-ish contractions (10-15 mins apart) for about 12 hours before labour proper kicked in; and with DS3 it was pretty much two full days. Fortunately once he got going it went pretty quickly (two hours from 4cm to birth).

I know no one can tell me definitively how long this latent stage will take, but I'm just wondering how long it lasted for others - especially those with four DCs. Thanks

[Sleepthief]

I should maybe add that all three DSs we're born around 39 weeks...

[Chacha23]

hi - I started getting painful irregular contractions on a Thursday evening (anything between 3-6 minutes), and DD was born on Saturday afternoon. All in all it took about 35 hours of irregular contractions to get me 4-5 cm dilated, and then still about 5 hours after that until the birth.

What I found hardest was not being able to get any sleep at all - I ended up getting a peridural around 1am on the saturday, the pain hadn't gotten that much worse, but the lack of sleep was really starting to make the whole thing unbearable. Then I was able to get a few hours of sleep before pushing, which was amazing.

Good luck to you!

[Chacha23]

forgot to say - it was my first child, so hopefully it'll be a lot faster for you!

[Maxsmummy2611]

My waters went at 37 weeks, and contractions started an hour later, they would stop and start, finally had to be induced, and gave birth 53 hours later. :/ exhausting. Hoping second birth is faster

[Frizz1986]

I had very very irregular contractions that started to get more painful, but as they were so irregular i assumed they were braxton hicks.
Anyway turned out they weren't as almost 4 days after they started baby was born.

[Bakerof3pudsxx]

I had contractions for five days before full labour for 12 hours with dc2
It was grim

[littleraysofsunshine]

How were your dc's being born at 37 weeks?

[Sleepthief]

Well, just under a week in this case. Waters started leaking on Saturday morning. In hospital yesterday morning to be induced, but due to busy ward kept being pushed back. Went for a long walk, waters broke properly at about 1.20, contractions started properly maybe an hour later and baby Magnus arrived at 6.42pm. Can't say it was delightful but really not too bad, and I have got the most gorgeous DS4 out of it . Hoping to go home this morning.

[littleraysofsunshine]

Sorry. Posted in the wrong one.

But I think I'm in slow early labour, I did this with my other two and then had super speedy established labours. Still keeps me guessing though if it's a matter or hours, days weeks etc

Got the stabbing cervix type pain, period cramps on and off and BH's regularly that aren't painful but intensify each time

[Rooners]

Oh sweet name! He sounds gorgeous! Well done

I have 3 ds's and am staying at 3...but boys are delish.

Fwiw now and it won't matter, my last one was weird - started having vague ctx about 15 mins apart at Mc Donalds at about 2pm, and they kind of went on for about an hour or two, then calmed down, and then kicked off again towards night, maybe 8-9pm and by 10pm I knew I was in labour and he was born at 12.53am.

My previous one had been a homebirth and started at 6.54, then ctx every 5 minutes from there on in, he was born at 10.32am. So no messing about.

Third ones are known to be a bit of a wild card but no idea about fourths! Congratulations

[Rooners]

And now you have got me wanting another one!!!

[QueenArseClangers]

Congratulations OP! Glad the name thing is sorted too.

I'm 38+2 with (biological) DC4 and have been having weird pains for a week or so. Other babies came at 41+1, 41 and 40 weeks. Really hoping it's going to kick off soon as I'm in effing agony with spd.
Bloody prodormal labour, I curse you!

[Sleepthief]

prodormal labour - that's a phrase I only learnt this week, queen. Glad I won't be using it again, personally

And, go on Rooners, you know you want to

[littleraysofsunshine]

I think in still in early early labour.. BH's strong and a lot of pressure but not ramping up