Been in labour for 24 hours. Contractions have stopped. I'm EXHAUSTED!

[CheeseDreams]

Hi,

Just looking for a bit of support and wise words really. Contractions started yesterday eve at 8pm by 4am they were intense, 50 seconds long and 3 in 10 mins. Went to the hospital and was told I was 3cm dilated but to stay there as I live so far away also baby was in an awkward position.

By 9am I was only 4cm and had been contracting the whole time. Baby had also moved back to back.

Came home, had a rest and the contractions got really intense but by aboutt 7pm I was exhausted, found a position I could lie in that stops contractions (because of baby being back to back apparently) and have been lying still since then.

I am so tired and fed up, my labour with my dd was 60 hours and I am terrified I am going that way again.

Thought, advice or just some nice words would be much appreciated!

[BabyGoose]

If your baby is back to back you are high risk. I had a back to back labour and the pain was unbelievable. Go back to the hospital. Ask to be monitored and continue your labour there. Well done so far. You'll soon have a little one in your arms xxx ( so jealous I'd love another) x

[Breakhardthewishbone]

Oh you poor thing. Back to back labour is long and hard and exhausting. You're doing so well. I think a little bit of rest is no bad thing, given how long you've been at it. Have you been able to sleep at all? If you think you can I would try and get even a 45 minute nap. But if you're struggling pain wise just go back and ask them to give you something for it. Don't be a hero xx

[devoncreamtea]

try a bath? might let you relax for a bit...goood luck!

[TheWanderingUterus]

I've had two back to back labours, both of them stalled half way. Because the baby isn't pressing properly on your cervix you get odd contractions.

With birth one I walked and walked and walked and walked, which kept the contractions regular.

With birth two I made myself a cave, crawled in and relaxed. After an hour or two the contractions ramped up and he was born a few hours later.

FWIW my second back to back labour was a lovely home birth. I also took hours and hours and hours to get to 6cm and then did the last four centimetres in less than an hour. As he was my second there was room for him to turn and he was born face down unlike his older sister who was born stargazing.

Good luck, I know it's really hard but it won't be much longer and then you get the tiny sweet snuffly thing to sniff. Xx

[EssexMummy123]

I think you need to go back, so they can do a quick check on how baby's doing and maybe have a chat with you about pain relief options.

[CheeseDreams]

Thank you all so much. I ended up having a big cry to my dh and then went to bed and managed to sleep until about half an hour ago when contractions started again.

Going to have a walk around and see how long I can last and then head back to the hospital.

Know it might sound silly but I'm so reluctant to go as I'm terrified they will say I'm still only 4cm again or that all this has got me to 5cm. Think if that's the case I might see if they can give me something for the pain and see if there is anyway they can hurry things along.

Will let you know how it goes and thank you, you have all been so kind (I haven't told anyone in RL that I am in labour appart from my parents who are looking after dd and my dh of course)

Xxx

[TheWanderingUterus]

A sleep is excellent, that will help a lot. Try to eat something if you can.

Good luck, this is exciting!

[devoncreamtea]

Good luck cheese b2b is such a nightmare - my daughter did turn too in labour and shot out like a bullet with 1 push...keep your spirits up, it won't be long now.

[ilovechops]

Good luck Cheese!

I could have written your post nearly 3 yrs ago having DD1.

Hope you got back there and got some serious pain relief. Back to Back is LONG and painful from my experience and nothing helped more than gas and air and the epidural in the end.

[Boobz]

Try to relax as much as possible.

My first was back to back and I had 3 days and nights of latent labour before finally getting to 4cm. I was then allowed gas and air and she still took another 12 hours to come, but all in all a lovely homebirth in the end. As it was my first, I was terrified of the contractions stopping and so worked myself up into a frenzy walking up and down the stairs, bouncing on the ball, getting into positions that I felt made the contractions stronger.... in the end I was just due to have a loooooong labour and she did pop out in the end (but the back to back part was painful - I hear you!)

Second one I relaxed so much more and just pootled and tried to sleep as much as I could between contractions (even 5 minute snatched before another contraction woke me up again!) and she arrived in 8 hours start to finish - another girl at home.

Of course the 3rd would be something between the 2, so had 2 days and nights of it with another long latent stage, but again I relaxed rather than trying to hurry things along, and I think this helped have another lovely homebirth.

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly!

[CheeseDreams]

Thank you guys, can you believe I got to the hospital and after a few hours the contractions stopped AGAIN! It's like a bad joke!

Come home and nothing for the last 12 hours appart from throwing up everything I eat and flu like symptoms (apparently common in early labour) I've decided I'm not going to push it, I think I exhausted myself walking about trying to encourage the baby out, he is clearly happy and comfortable in there so going to leave him to it until he decided to make his entrance.

I'm feeling a bit less fed up about the whole thing at the mo, my dd has been at my parents since yesterday and they are bringing her back tomorrow so I am concentrating on seeing her little face again and going to spend some time with her and have lots of snuggles.

Will let you know when the baby finally makes an entrance. Thanks again xxx

[JubJubBirds]

Poor you. Hope you managed to get sone rest. You sound like an absolute star.

[BabyGoose]

Only women with back to back labours will know what you're going through. If you are exhausted perhaps consider other birth options? I was put on the drip and my baby turned but was delivered with episiotomy after 30 hours. I've now got a beautiful baby xx

[BabyGoose]

Is this your first? Do you know what you're having x

[123Jump]

Hi cheesedreams, I had 3 back to back labours-the pain! Eek.
I did first with pethadine, second with pethadine but he was born 5 mins after it, and third with gas and air.
I think you are doing brilliantly, and imo getting the hard bits done. I found getting to 7/8 cm tough, after that it was easy street. Once you start pushing you're home and dry! (Hopefully)
Good luck!

[Heatherbell1978]

DS1 is 8 weeks and was back to back. I laboured at home to 7cm dilated with TENS, had a relaxing 5 hours in the water pool with gas and air and got out to push, he was born an hour later. Yes it was painful but it's doable! None of the mws batted an eyelid at the Birth Centre that he was back to back so I never assumed it was a big deal that I was giving birth with just gas and air. Stay positive!

[CheeseDreams]

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for your support. At 4am today my waters broke and at 8am this morning my big 9lb boy was born in the birthing pool. No drugs just gas. Was total agony but all over now and home safe and sound with my boy.

Exhausted and tender but delighted and relieved too!

Thank you all xxx

[BabyGoose]

Congratulations! Wonderful news. Do you want to share your name? Give him an extra cuddle from me. Oh and remember to take a million pictures. X

[TheWanderingUterus]

Congratulations and extraordinarily well done!

[RandomMess]

Congratulations, glad he was worth the long latent labour

[JubJubBirds]

Well done you! Great stuff, glad you're all doing well

[devoncreamtea]

Oh well done cheese! What a marathon! Congratulations on your lovely boy x