Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Long early labour, help, anyone, please?

18 replies

NeedToSleepZZZ · 29/01/2011 22:13

Any advice welcome, getting so fed up now. I've been having irregular contractions since 2am yesterday morning so that's now 44 hours, lost my plug, loads of diarrhoea and had a bloody show. Contractions started quite mild but now stronger than period cramps and have to stand up when I have one (I know they'll get stronger!) but still not any real pattern, ranges from 8 min to 20 min intervals and last between 40-45 seconds with a few double ones thrown in for fun Hmm. I saw the mw in hospital and she said things had started but I thought I'd have progressed more by now, still don't feel properly in labour iyswim.

I've been walking, bouncing on my ball and keeping active and trying to distract myself but nada!

Any tips to jolly things along or is this par for the course? Oh, and is it true (crossing fingers hopefully) that a long latent phase means a shorter established part?

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
CrawlingInMySkin · 29/01/2011 22:23

Hi that was true for me and what you have described sounds like dc2s birth. I went to hospital at 11 4cms DD born at 1.45 Smile. Can you get some sleep or are youn in too much pain? if not try to stay active. Sorry things are going on so long hope things are over for you soon.

CrawlingInMySkin · 29/01/2011 22:25

Although most people say to stay active I found relaxing speeded things up for me so if staying active does not help try relaxing as hard as that is.

Figgyrolls · 29/01/2011 22:28

Ooh how fun, baby watch.

I started contracting on the sunday, went to hospital and got sent home (every time I stopped labour slowed down Sad) Tuesday evening after a very big show and quite strong contractions went to hospital again at 9pm and baby born at 3.45 (ish), although as vbac was made to sit down and be monitored - mw on arrival (6cm) suggested that baby would be born pre 12 but due to being unable to do much we think it slowed down. If it helps went from fully dilated at 3.40 3 x small pushes and out came baby! So you might be right!

homebirthmummy · 29/01/2011 22:40

Ooh how exciting! Things are definately happening that's for sure!

Sometimes the latent first stage can go on for a while (I had irregular contractions for about 2 weeks!)

It's a very good sign that they are not disappearing when you move around. Try to relax and rest, a nice bath, some music, a bit of clary sage or some caulopylum etc. Being active is great, but for the latent stage you can just relax and preserve that energy.

Try not to worry or become anxious. Doing so will only produce adrenaline which overrides oxytocin and endorphins.

You're body knows what it's doing, it's hard, but often we just have to go with the flow!

Original poster
NeedToSleepZZZ · 29/01/2011 23:17

Oh thank you for your tips and advice, maybe I have been trying to be active too much and need to calm down. I was anxious as have planned a home birth and was told yesterday that due to staff shortage I might not get it but then mw called in the evening to say it won't be a problem after all!

Have just had a bath and going to start reading my new book as it's sod's law I won't get to finish it, am using lavender pillow mist which is so calming.

homebirthmummy 2 weeks of irregular contractions??? I salute you!

Very encouraged by your shorter second stages, thank you, fingers crossed tonight's the night!

OP posts:
homebirthmummy · 29/01/2011 23:27

Yes 2 weeks, but when I did go into labour (term+10 at home too and even if there were "staff shortages" that's where i would have stayed! It's the mw's duty of care to find someone for you... Sorry went off point!)
I went into labour fully effaced and 4cm.

4 hours from first regular contraction to baby in arms. It was beautiful too! No intervals, at home and just lovely...sorry ranted again!!

Have a great rest and who knows what tomorrow will bring!!
Night x

Ps starting a new book is a sure fire way of getting things going! Sods law you won't finish it for a good few months!!

Pepa · 29/01/2011 23:30

I had 8 days of early labour with Dc3 and its all about getting your head in the right spot and trying to manage the tiredness - my contractions were worse when I would lie down at night and I became an expert in jumping ouit of bed and swaying and braething through them and then falling straight back to sleep for 20 mins till the next one hit. When I finally called the mw (I was having a home waterbirth) I was 7 cms and still able to chat and laugh. Baby was born 80 minutes later!

Hang in there your body knows what it is doing just try to relax for the ride!

I'll be thinking of you tonight!

homebirthmummy · 29/01/2011 23:36

Sorry typo - no internals is what I meant!!

clumsymumluckybaby · 29/01/2011 23:41

i had 3 days of very mild contractions...try to sleep if you can.
if it helps,i woke up in the morning at 8am with a bigger contraction,and by 9am id had himSmile

clumsymumluckybaby · 29/01/2011 23:45

oh and when the big ones start,do this through them:
stick your lips out and do sort of raspberry's or mooing noises..honest,it really helps!Grin

Original poster
NeedToSleepZZZ · 29/01/2011 23:50

oh, I've heard about this clumsymum, only I call it horse lips! I really don't care what I look like and hopefully it'll help!

So good to know I'm not on my own with this as my family are starting to get worried and asking me to call the mw but I'll go with trusting my body I think as don't want any intervention unless it's seriously needed.

Right, must stop mnetting and start on my lucky book! Grin

OP posts:
clumsymumluckybaby · 30/01/2011 16:59

yes! horse lips! really works,promise!Smile

hope you are doing okay!

you could always call the midwife to 'check in' as im sure she'd tell you to stay at home unless they were getting stronger anyway!

saying that though...i didnt mention it until the evening before as i wasnt sure it was 'the real thing'! i thought it might be more bh!

let us know how youre getting on if you get a chance!Grin

CrawlingInMySkin · 30/01/2011 17:03

I am also sending good wishes and hoping you have had your baby now Smile

FutureNannyOgg · 30/01/2011 19:45

May be too late for OP but this article really helped me in the early stage birthchoices.co.uk/warm-up-labour/

flossie75 · 30/01/2011 21:08

FutureNannyOgg thank you for the link (I've not seen this website before). I'm 41+2 and have been experiencing on & off back pain, cramping 'period pains' and a discharge since Thursday last week.

I'm due to have a sweep tomorrow morning where I'm hoping the mw will continue to support expectant mgt rather than booking an induction - I really want a homebirth.

The article on the link has really helped me relax and live with what's happening. Found out today that DH was 2 weeks late so I'm guessing this bump has the same laid back attitude - just hope it holds onto that when it arrives Grin

Original poster
NeedToSleepZZZ · 01/02/2011 14:37

hello there,

thank you so much for your support, futurenanny that website is great!

i'm very pleased to say that my ds was safely born on sunday at 7:47pm. that was a looooong labour but worth every second Smile

OP posts:
CrawlingInMySkin · 01/02/2011 14:49

Awwww congratuations and well done Smile

clumsymumluckybaby · 01/02/2011 16:04

hurrah!
well done you!

welcome to the world little man!Grin

New posts on this thread. Refresh page