World's most boring latent phase

[MrsHappy]

This morning I started having quite ferocious but irregular contractions. I have had a show but contractions still have not become regular or terribly frequent. If I were to lie down I reckon they would stop for half an hour. As soon as I stand up I have one, but then they seem to stop again until I next change position. All very boring and potentially knackering.

This is my second child and this feels like a replay of what happened the first time, only then I was in hospital and it ended in emcs.

Does anyone have any comforting words about long latent phase not necessarily being a problem? And what should I do - should I get marching up and down the stairs or should I just see what happens and enjoy the breaks?

[JustBeBuffy]

Firstly, good luck!

depends, do you feel full of energy?
sideways up and down the stairs meant to help move baby into a good position.

or rest, chill while you can?

[MrsHappy]

God knows. I feel sort of conflicted!
I guess I ought to try to get things going because I don't want to be stuck like this for ages but I am quite scared!

[JustBeBuffy]

Don't be scared

Sure more experienced others will be along soon with more tips!

Lots of deep breathing, stay calm, stay upright (if you want), find a comfy position - i liked swaying half leaning on the kitchen counter for some reason

[JustBeBuffy]

Fave music on?

Something to eat?

Bath?

[JiminyCricket]

My midwife told me not to get in the birthing pool (which i had set up at home) too soon, but after about a week of this I did and am convinced it let me relax and got things moving. Warm (but not hot) bath? Oh and I gave myself a stern talking to and visualised the birth happening in case I was tense and didn't realise it. It will happen soon, take care

[MrsHappy]

Am steadfastly resisting going in the bath in case it slows things even more.
I'm just a bit nervous because this is a VBAC and so I am getting worried that I don't labour very well.
A midwife is coming out to see me now anyway, so she can tell me if I have made any progress. I hope so!
Have been stuffing my face all day. Is it normal to be ravenous in labour?! Last time I just felt sick...

[JustBeBuffy]

Don't know about 'normal' - whatever feels right for you.
Something with energy - carbs?

If the thought of a bath appeals, try one, if it's not comfy once you're in, then get out.

Try not to stress

[MrsHappy]

I'm strangely comfortable kneeling on the floor with my upper body resting on my swiss ball. It seems to not stall the contractions either, unlike standing (sometimes)/sitting/lying down.

[JustBeBuffy]

Maybe it's the leaning forward then?

taking the weight off your back? or something...

[Thandeka]

Awesome news MrsHappy, but have no advice as haven't gone through it myself- but erm good luck! Hope things get underway properly soon.
xxx

[suzi2]

I did this phase for quite a while with DS - don't want to freak you, but probably nearing a week. Though the breaks came less and less and the start of the week it was less intense. I also did it with DD but only for about 36 hours before labour.

The plus sides... I was well into established labour (like 7cm and 8cm) before I had labour confirmed as it was no different to the "painful braxton hicks" (ie contractions lol).

My advice would be to rest as much as you can and do what your body tells you. It is knackering. With DS I kept thinking "this is it" and keeping active which only served to make me more shattered. With DD I rested where I could in case I was in for the long haul.

Best of luck.

[hobnob57]

Good luck MrsH!! I've got everything (except my legs) crossed for your VBAC .

Relax and let your body do its thing (she says, as if she wouldn't be worrying either ). But yes, relaxed is the key.

[MrsHappy]

A WEEK?

Oh my, i think i will be having a section before it comes to that!

Right, midwife has been and declared me and my short (but honestly agonising!) contractions "not really in labour". She agrees I shouldn't be charging about trying to bring things on in case I knacker myself. Dinner has been eaten, long bath been had (unfortunately it hasn't stopped things) so my next act is paracetomol and hopefully some sleep.

It's quite difficult - I want to see my baby but I am no longer sure I am up for the birth! Why didn't I wait for them to perfect beaming technology?

[JustBeBuffy]

Well from everything i've read, if the bath doesn't stop stuff then stuff will not be stopped....

Rest while you can, eat what you can, can't wait for more updates

[MrsHappy]

Tried to sleep and was woken by contraction from hell.
Am nw up and trying to distract myself with zoolander. But basically it is getting hard to cope and I am worried about getting my mother up to look after DD, getting to the hospital etc. Sure MW thinks I am a wimp but referred pain down my legs is awful.
Am really really hot too.

[JustBeBuffy]

Sorry I went off to bed!

Hope things progressed and Baby arrived?!

[suzi2]

How are things? Did they kick off properly? I hope you're either having a nice rest, or have a wee one in your arms.

[Qally]

I had a strong latent phase lasting 3 days. Was tiring and frustrating, but in the end I had 4 hours of so called "active" labour, and only needed gas and air. Very easy. The latent part was vile, though - recommend dvds, a TENS, and grumbling!

[hobnob57]

Thinking of you

[Caitni]

MrsHappy just seen this! Oh lord, I hope things are progressing for you. It sounds like things are going well for you (hope they still are). Thinking of you (have also thought I'd like zoolander as a latent phase phase distraction ).

[Caitni]

Thinking of you MrsH - am hoping that no news is good news

[MrsHappy]

Hello

It turns out that those contractions were being a bit more effective than I thought!

I suddenly realised they were coming once every 2-3 minutes and lasting at least 50 seconds so after quick calls to my mother and the MW I assumed the position (on all fours with my face buried into my swiss ball). An hour or so of contractions later, managed with tens, swearing and exhaling with a big "shhhhh" noise I threw up all of my dinner and demanded to go to the hospital.

I spent the drive there in the back of the car, bum in the air, cursing DH for the number of speedbumps on the road and wondering what that strange feeling I was getting was. Then I realised... that was me pushing!

I arrived at the birth centre, was examined (fully dilated - woo hoo) and clambered into the pool sucking furiously on gas and air. I was three very intense pushy contractions in and just starting to realise how to work with them when I was ordered out of the pool. The baby's heart rate was dropping and not recovering quickly enough after each contraction. So it was off to the labour ward with me.

Due to the fact that they could not get an epidural in to attempt a forceps delivery (baby was still high) I ended up with a section under GA just before 3am. Of course I have also ended up with a stunning little girl who has suffered no ill effects from the emergency surrounding her birth .

So it wasn't quite a VBAC, but I am hugely proud of having tried, of managing to almost do it with no pain relief other than tens and of my husband for being remarkably calm even when the doctors weren't.

[Caitni]

Oh wow MrsH congrats on the safe arrival of your daughter .

Sorry it wasn't the VBAC you wanted but well done for handling the pain of labour so brilliantly!

[hobnob57]

Awww well done MrsHappy!!!!! So happy that you managed full labour so well, that you got into a pool and all the good things . And I bet your daughter is gorgeous

Rest up well, and look after yourself in your recovery - you sound like you should be absolutely knackered!

Well done to DH too - that is a huge achievement for him as well

[Thandeka]

congrats MrsHappy- all sounds very dramatic- was it the whittington? Or am I remembering wrong?

Welcome to the world mini Miss Happy.
x