Very frustrated by latent phase of labour

[TheSecretCervix]

Also posted in pregnancy but no replies as yet so thought I'd try here too :) Sorry this is long, needed to get it off my chest!:

I am 41+1 and had a sweep on Tuesday, I started to feel pains in my lower back and stomach almost immediately. At around 9pm I began to have strong contractions roughly every 5-6 minutes, so the hospital asked me to come in. The midwife said I was 1cm dilated since sweep and 70% effaced and said that hopefully, if it carried on progressing like this I could expect to be back within 5-6 hours ready for active labour (obviously I know it's not an exact science!) and to come back when they became stronger.
So we went home thinking that we would be back at some point soonish. Anyways, the contractions died down over night on Tuesday but I continued to have contractions, just not with a regular pattern. This carried on into Wednesday and yesterday I lost the rest of my mucus plug (yummy!). Since last night I've had dragging back pain and sporadic contractions.
I am starting to feel very frustrated and also like I am loosing my nerve for the actual labour as I keep wondering, 'Is this it?' for it to all die down. I've been trying to keep busy and do normalish things (along withy every labour encouragement under the sun! You name it I've tried it.) but I'm starting to feel really drained by it.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experience a prolonged latent phase? Positive stories of it following a short active labour would be nice I guess, probably naively, I thought that once it all started it would have some progression and not be this stop start! I feel like I am going to be pregnant FOREVER!

[hazchem]

i'm hoping that this may help.
i tell people i was in labour for a week. i had regular contractions was 2cm for about a week but active labour was quite short. my waters broke at around 9:30 pm maybe a bit later we stayed at home for a little longer then arrived at hospital 9cm. he was born at 4:20am
also even during that time it felt quick.
babies do arrive.

keep calm. good luck

[TheSecretCervix]

Thank you for your messages - really good to hear from people who have had similar experiences. Think I do need to relax!

littlewheel I hadn't really thought about the pressure from outside people but have been quite frustrated with the,' Any sign?' or 'Is he here yet?' messages. Might just switch my phone off and let DH deal with the enquiries!

hazchem I like your 'babies do arrive' comment - may take that as my new daily mantra :)

Hopefully he will be here soon!

[hazchem]

Another thing to remember is each contraction is getting closer to birthing the baby. the more contractions you do in latent labour (warm up labour is a nicer phrase i think) the less you have to do in active labour.

looking forward to hearing your good news when your little one is ready

[maisie215]

Yes I had this then very quick and easy labour with dc2. Also told would be quick after sweep found me 3cm dilated. 3 days later was still having contractions every ten to fifteen mins. I worked out that doing squats brought them on so did them every five mins from about 3.30pm. Went for walk with family at 5pm then in car at 5.40. Baby born at 6.51 in one push.

I think she was turning during that latent phase. The actual labour contractions were more intense but genuinely the latent ones were more painful. My first words were "well that was easy!"

There us definitely hope! Baby just getting themselves well positioned then will drop! I was knackered though! Good luck and keep us updated!

[maisie215]

Oh and I second the paracetamol! I've had two labours now where I've delivered within half an hour of arriving at hospital and never had time for anything else. The paracetamol definitely helps. Take it at 6 and 12 around the clock so you remember!

[MmeBucket]

With DS, at my 37 week appointment, I was told that I was 3 cm, and to go home and take a nap, as I would probably start contractions that evening. I didn't. I was 4 cm at my 38 week appointment, 5 at my 39 week, and 5 at my 40 week appointment. Every once and awhile I would feel some sort of something random that I think was a contraction. The good news is, I left for the hospital (3 min drive) on my very first "proper" contraction, and was 9 cm upon my arrival. I had slightly over a 3 hour labour, but it would have been much shorter if I didn't give birth to an over 9 lb, 18 inch bowling ball, because it was almost all pushing.

With DD, I did the same thing. I was told to go to the hospital on my first contraction, which I did, only to be in tears when I was told I was only 6 cm. However, DD was born in under 2 hours, probably due to the fact she was 2 pounds lighter and 2 1/2 inches longer.

I feel like I had 2 really easy labours, and my Dr. agreed with me, saying that both my births were in her top 10 easiest deliveries ever. The waiting was very demoralizing, knowing I was so close, but not doing anything for the longest time, but if I had the chance, I wouldn't go back and change a thing.

[TheSecretCervix]

Hi Everyone

Thought I'd come back and let you know that my little boy was born yesterday :) I went to the hospital on Saturday morning as I was getting exhausted by lack of sleep due to contractions and they told me that my cervix was now closed (which was odd as at the sweep the midwife had said I was 1cm) so they tried to encourage me to be induced the following day, I thought this was a bit rushed so came to a compromise that I'd go in on Tuesday. I really didn't want to be induced so tried a few more things Sat afternoon to encourage him out! Had a long walk, sex, a massage in Clary Sage oil and took Cimifunga homeopathic tablets.
My contractions started at 7pm and I stayed at home with a tens machine until about 12.30am by the time I got to hospital I was 5cm dilated and able to go straight in the pool (which was great!), my labour progressed well and I got to 10cm by 6am but my waters still hadn't broken so they broke them for me and then I went back in the pool for another 2 hours and pushed for an hour before being moved to a medicalised room as they were concerned that the pool was slowing my contractions. I was determined not to go down the medicalised route having come so far with tens, gas and air and water so delivered him standing up leaning on the bed with no pain relief (that bit did hurt!)
Although my labour was tiring and I do have a small tear (his hand was by his face as he came out) I think that all the work that was being done in pre-labour really helped and also allowed me to 'build up' to the pain. Thank you so much for keeping my spirits going! Hopefully it also may be a positive post for anyone else experiencing the same thing in future!
Didn't quite mean my post to be that long but feels cathartic to get it down!
If you're still reading my LO is gorgeous and we were able to come out of hospital the same day. Even though I'm a little bruised I'm loving being a Mummy so far and was definitely worth the wait :)

[hazchem]

congratulations. well done!
I'm so pleased for you and your family.it's such an amazing thing that you have all done together.

(some witchhazel on a maternity pad popped in the freezer for a few hours does wonders for stiches and brusing.)

[candr]

Congrats Secret have fun with your new family x