40+1 in latent labour for over a week

[MommaFox94]

Possibly just looking for some sympathy here but oh my word I’ve been in latent labour for over a week now, having a few contractions every day for them to fizzle out to nothing. I’m literally lying awake at night praying this baby’s going to come. 2nd baby and a completely different experience to my 1st. 1st pregnancy was awful, sick the entire way through, but labour was by the book, woke up with contractions 3am at 38+3, went into hospital at 10am with regular contractions and couldn’t handle the pain, pethidine injection, very slow opening to established labour from 9pm on gas and air, beautiful daughter born 11.08pm. All in a day’s work! But this time round it’s completely different, pregnancy has been easy, no nausea just SPD which has been uncomfortable but manageable, but this baby just does not want to come out and it’s driving me mad! I’m only petite so carrying a great big bowling ball around at this stage is killing me, and looking after 17 month old that’s just learned to walk, oh my lord give me strength haha!

[Sw2102]

You have my sympathy. Also waiting on DC2 to make their arrival. I'm 40+6 today. I get really strong BH and have had period pain type cramps but fizzles to nothing. Impatient is not the word! My pregnancy has also been quite different this time around too. Hope we get our babies soon!

[MommaFox94]

SW2102 it’s so frustrating isn’t it! I think because I was expecting the second time round to be similar if not a faster labour than the first I’ve really made it hard on myself. I hope your baby makes an appearance soon, but you know what they say good things come to those who wait!! (We’ve been waiting long enough though )

[Sw2102]

Yes I was expecting this time to happen sooner and faster but apparently not..! Every little twinge I want it to be something.. need to remind myself of that when I am in established labour and wishing it to be over

[Maryrobinson81]

@Sw2102 I feel exactly the same as you with with strong BH and cramping and think somethings happening then nothing. I’m 40+5 and this is now my longest pregnancy!

[2stepsonthewater]

If you can find an acupuncturist who specialises in antenatal then I recommend it.

[Montyman]

I had a similar Labour with my first and SPD with my second plus the week long latent labour....I got to the point where I no longer believed the baby was actually going to come out and just dealt with the pain of the contractions 😂 I went to the hospital at 11pm to get checked at 40+7 in the hope that I would be induced because I had just had enough of it, they kept me in because I was so upset but no sign of dilation beyond 1cm. From 11pm to 4am I dealt with the contractions as they came thinking it was the same as it had been for the last 7 days and nothing was to come of it but when I was checked at 4am I was 5cm and sent to the delivery ward. I didn’t even have a paracetamol at this point because I was so used to the contractions over the previous week. Off I walked to delivery thinking nothings going to happen; clearly I was delirious!! My little man was born at 6.06am having spent the entire time thinking the pain was going to subside as it had done all week!! It was so strange!!

[kmammamalto]

OMG I could have written this today!! I'm 41 weeks on Monday with no 2 and i have been having contractions, BH and period cramps all week. Was convinced on Monday it was happening as they were 10 mins apart and a bit painful... then poof nothing. I've just had a melt.down which DH found hilarious until I cried. I'm so.fed up but trying to hard to stay positive.
Hoping we all get some relief soon (although then you've got a new born so not much relief!)
Also it's making me much more anxious about the actual labour bit!

[Chocolateandwineplease27]

I'm in the same boat! Currently 40 plus 3 with no2 and have had so many evenings of painful BH/strong period cramps but nada. Number 1 same at 38 weeks when my waters went so this is new territory and its driving me mad. On top of the cramps, tonight the baby has decided to go crazy with its movements - I'm doubting it's actually a baby and not an alien/monkey

[Paraballa]

I had over a week of prodromal labour (I think it's called) with my second. Apparently he was getting into the right position. Was utterly exhausting. Get as much rest as you can.

[GookledyGobb]

All of the contractions and tightenings you feel are doing something, even if you can’t see what they’re doing. They’re turning And twisting the baby into the ideal position, and opening your cervix. Trust that this is part of the process. I had over 15 days of this and the baby came in less than 2 hours once it started, and I firmly believe it was because my body had done all the prep beforehand. It’s getting you closer to the end so hang in there

[RandomMess]

It sounds sound like your actual labour will be very speedy!!! Lots of prep going on. It all helps

[MommaFox94]

It’s so reassuring just hearing that so many are in the same position, as frustrating as it is! There’s a half marathon going on in my town today and half the roads are closed so I’m betting it’s all going to happen today and it’s going to be a nightmare getting to the hospital haha! We’ll see!

[kmammamalto]

Oh god! Imagine! Fingers crossed he or she waits until the roads are open!
So funny that we are all having totally different experiences from our first time around too! With DS it was textbook, waking up with bloody show and upset tummy, contractions got closer and closer together and I could be sure I was in labour. This time I'm doubting everything! And DH is 2 hours away in the week so nervy times!
Loving the Pp reminding me that it is hopefully doing something. Doing something a bit faster would be good 😂
Hoping all you ladies are feeling positive today. Great thread to start OP!

[katmarie]

40 + 4 with dc2 here and climbing the walls, so I totally get how you're feeling! I had a very long early labour with the first one, and my midwife keeps telling me it wont be like that this time. Instead nothing at all seems to be happening here! Get as much rest as you can (tough with a toddler I know) and hopefully you'll be having squishy newborn cuddles very soon!

[Chocolateandwineplease27]

How's everyone getting on? 40 plus 6 and nothing more than cramps to report here. Seriously pissed off. Thought I'd have at least a 3 week old by now!

[Freaking0ut]

I had a similar experience to @GookledyGobb, a week of these contractions. They would come every night and I’d get excited thinking this is it and then I’d fall back asleep and wake up the next day with no baby! At 10 days overdue I went to see the midwife who gave me a sweep and told me that actually I was 3cm dilated! The next day my waters broke when I stood up off a birthing ball and I had a very fast and furious labour lasting less than 2 hours and a baby who was nearly born in the hospital car park! Good luck OP and everyone else waiting

[katmarie]

40+6 here too, and other than a couple of cramps, and generally being very uncomfortable, nothing is happening. I'm booked in for a sweep tomorrow, really hoping that gets things moving!

[kmammamalto]

I had my baby in the early hours of yesterday morning! In labour for 3 hour and baby born in pool at home with no tears or stitches!! Now I believe that you guys were right and all the cramps and stopping and starting contractions were worth it in the end!! Have hope ladies! It might all be worth it in the long run!

[MommaFox94]

Been for a sweep this morning and MW couldn’t believe I’ve not had this baby yet! 3cm dilated, did a sweep and been having regular contractions and now dilated to 5cm since, this baby is coming today! Good luck everyone

[katmarie]

OMG congratulations @kmammamalto, that's wonderful news. Good luck @MommaFox94, very exciting! I hope my sweep tomorrow is as productive.

[kmammamalto]

Woohoo @mommafox and good luck with the sweep @katmarie! Relief is coming for all of us!

[RandomMess]

Told you told you told you

[Chocolateandwineplease27]

Big congratulations - you've given me hope too!!

[Sw2102]

Yes have hope its all doing something. I had DS 2 days ago.. contractions at home for 4 hours but most of that was very bareable. Short less than 2hr labour at hospital and home within 6 hours of delivering. It was clearly all for something! Much better than my first labour that took so much longer!

[katmarie]

Well I've had the sweep, midwife said there was some softening but cervical is still very closed. They've booked me in on monday afternoon for induction. So I'm hoping something happens by then but at least the finish line is in sight.