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Childbirth

friend in labour for 2 days - how can I help her

4 replies

Meeely2 · 29/11/2007 13:30

Hi all you ladies out there - my friend has been in labour since midnight YESTERDAY, contractions every 6 mins but not progressing. She's in a lot of pain, been in to hosp twice and they sent her home as she appears to be coping and she not dilating enough.

I had a very quick, early labour so haven't experinced this so don't know how to help her through this and help her progress it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

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Meeely2 · 29/11/2007 13:35

bump

OP posts:

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Camillathechicken · 29/11/2007 13:39

my sister had 2 days of labour before she actually dilated enough to be considered in established labour. she said lucozade helped!

right, she needs to think positively, not in terms of' it is taking toooooo long', but that a longer latent stage should mean a more rapid established labour

all these pains are doing something... softening the cervix, getting baby twiddled into a good position, preparing the way.

she should try to potter around, drink and eat lightly and regularly, wee and poo regularly as empty bladder and bowels helps baby descend.

rest/ doze as she needs to

sit on a birth ball

raspberry leaf tea with honey

walking upstairs sideways to open the pelvis

and take a bath if she wants one

just try to chill, and go with the flow, labour will let her know when it needs her full attention.

paracetomal and /or tens, massage and water are good for pain relief. no tens in the bath though!

she'll be ok.

she needs to listen to her body, it might be her baby is in a less than ideal position and the pre labour is trying to get baby shifted round so that labour can get cracking

best of luck to her !

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belgo · 29/11/2007 13:39

even if she's not dialting very much, all those contractions will be helping prepare her body and baby for the birth - getting the baby into a good position, getting the cervix ready.

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Meeely2 · 29/11/2007 13:50

thanks girls - she has never been good with pain and me and our other friends were so rapid she was expecting the same I guess. She is a week over as it is and I think she's tired and emotional.

I will give her your advice and then sit back and let her do the hard work!