Help! Contractions 3 days but no progress

[RunJHC]

Posting on behalf of my sister who is expecting her fIrst baby. She's been having mild contractions since Monday so 3-4 days now but not dilated at all. My labours were all straightforward so I don't know what advice to give. Any tips for getting things going/coping with looooong first stage? Thanks!

I'm a bit like you - once things started they kept going, so no firsthand experience.

But from reading on here - bouncing on a birth ball, walks, going up and down stairs sideways can all help encourage labour.

In addition, is your sis managing to get some sleep, or at least rest - she doesn't want to be exhausted before things really ramp up and she needs to keep hydrated and try to eat as well.

Thanks-have passed those on

Bumping for any more tips...

Rest and try to ignore it as much as possible. Go for a gentle walk, watch a film, bake a cake... If her waters are intact it could be a while. It is also worth trying some OFP measures (lots of all 4s) as this sort of labour is often connected with an OP (back to back) baby, so encouraging good positioning can help move things along by getting the head pressing on the cervix properly.

Thanks both-she finally had the baby this morning. A boy weighing in at 7lb 9oz-all happy & healthy, seems lots of walking & finally some acupuncture did the trick

Oh good news, hooray!
I was half expecting you to say failed induction and emcs, as that seems to be the way this sort of labour often goes, so that is lovely news.