Words or encouragement/ advice

[grottielottie]

I'm 40+5 and have been in early labour for about 20 hours. I went to the hospital at 3 last night with regular contractions 3-4min apart but the contractions were only short and consequently I was only 1cm so went back home.

Anyway I managed to get some rest but my contractions have slowed to about every 10-8 mins, they are more intense and lasting about 45 seconds. Please can someone reasures me that things will progress sometime today, so sick of waiting.

Is it your first? Gosh I remember how dispiriting I found this stage, lasted ages. Painful enough to prevent sleep but not enough to actually be doing anything. Do you have a tens machine? I found that really helped. I'd also try and conserve your energy as much as you can (I tried to bring labour on by e.g. climbing stairs but all that did was knacker me out and make labour worse!)
You can do this; not long to go until you have your baby now. Best of luck.

Yes - sounds very much like a first labour- mine very similar and he was back to back.

Could you bear having sex? It will probably put you into established labour and then you can at least get into the hospital. I've had 4 and sex had 'induced' 3 of them. Not pleasant but it really does work.

Yep my first, have the tens on and it's really helping. Had a little weep but feeling more positive now, my husband is being fantastic.

I'm trying to tread the line between keeping active and wearing myself out, doing some very gentle swaying dancing around the kitchen and lots of time on the birthing ball.

Thanks for the words of support it does help to know others have felt the same, when you read about labour it's always presented as such a linear process but I'm finding out it's a more two-steps forward one back sort of thing. Don't think I can manage the sex thing, lollystix you are a better woman than me!

Lottie - I really feel for you. It's an awful time. If it's any consolation next time prob won't be like this (my second was a 70 min labour!)

The thing that finally tipped me over the edge first time around was a sweep. Can you ask your midwife if she would consider it? Within an hour of having one, I was in proper active labour....

Every ctxn brings you closer to your baby (cheesy but true)
good luck