Any tips for a very long labour?

[Shortninbread]

Hi, I'm expecting DD2 in a couple of months.

With DD1 I was in labour for 87 hours start to finish. The contractions were painful from the start and never less than 10 min apart the whole time. I didn't sleep for 4 days. By the time I got to hospital and they accepted me (sent home first time) I was still only 2cm dilated. Eventually I was put on IV syntocinon and given an epidural.

I feel like my body doesn't know what to do.

Any tips on how to sleep during a long labour, pain management, breathing etc are gratefully received.

Feeling petrified it will be as long again and that i'll need loads of interventions.

Thanks.

The first time around your body often doesn't know what to do. Second time can be remarkably different because the receptors for the labour hormones in your uterus now recognise them much earlier. This means that co-ordinated contractions that open the cervix happen much more readily.

It sounds like you had a prolonged latent phase (before dilatation) followed by a slow active phase (dilation).The good news it sounds like you got a vaginal delivery at the end.This means that your odds of a much quicker labour with a normal birth are high.

Anxiety can inhibit the flow of labour hormones. If you think that was a factor last time then a programme of conscious relaxation or hypnobirthing can help. A partner, friend or doula is helpful to keep you going and staying positive.

For the latent phase. Think about what you might do for period pain, painkillers, heatpack, bath etc. In the daytime go for distraction, walking, cooking, movies etc. At nighttime try and sleep but get in the bath if you can't.

Breathing programmes have 2 main functions, to reduce physical tension (try clenching your pelvic floor while breathing out slowly!) and as a concentration/distraction exercise. Both help to get you through each contraction and keep the labour going.

Once active labour is underway, consider a pool. Most people find it helps. If you don't like it, you can get out.

I was in labour for a couple of days the first time, with several hours of (slightly halfhearted) pushing. But then just about 10 hours from first twinges to baby the second!

It definitely felt much more like my body knew what to do the second time (I got no urge to push at all first time, the second it was overwhelming!) - and I was much less scared having done it once before. Every birth is different - just because you had a tough time last time doesn't mean you will again.

I was much more upright in the early stages 2nd time around - loads more walking, sitting on ball etc. I think that definitely helped.

Mayhew, do you want to be my doula?!!!thanks both for such useful and generous advice.

Birth pool at home is a must this time around. I couldn't get comfy in the bath.

Getting to active labour last time with syntocinon, I hope my body has some memory of how to do it. Psychology is v important too, I agree. My DH was a slightly reluctant and nervous birth partner, and i was worried about looking after him, so I think I may look into another woman/friend/doula to help.

I am an NHS homebirth midwife?..so not free for doula duties!

If you lived in my area I'd be happy to take you on.

I had two home births, my NHS midwives were great both times. IMHO a doula shouldn't be necessary.

Your DH needs to man up! Nervous?!? He's not the one doing all the hard work!

Personally I drank bucketloads of raspberry leaf tea! It's supposed to make contractions more effective, and in my anecdotal experience it works! From first contraction to 10cm in 5 hours, despite DS being back to back. I began with 1 cup a day at 32 weeks, then increased by an extra cup each day every week, then from 37 weeks I had about 10 cups a day

I also used Evening Primrose oil on my cervix from 39 weeks, the prostaglandin in it is meant to help ripen the cervix.

How long have you got until you're due?

I know how you feel, sort of. I had 81 hours of 'labour' from start to finish, with contractions between every 5-8 minutes for most of it. I was 3cm dilated for three days! Luckily for me, once I started to dilate, things went very quickly. In my case my daughter was badly positioned and my midwives gave me advice on positions to turn her. I also had acupuncture with a very freaked out acupuncturist who had never administered it to someone having frequent contractions before!

I look back at how I coped and I think for me: I had a birth pool ready as I was planning a home birth. After the first couple of days, the midwife gave me the go ahead to get in, and I was able to contract away in there. The rest of the time I had a TENS, I stayed as upright as possible and I just kept on breathing - I had very dry lips by the end. I think for me what eventually helped me dilate, possibly alongside the baby shifting position, was finally getting some sleep. Like you, I didn't sleep, and after just an hour's sleep, I was ready to go. I hope you won't be in the same situation again (I'm speaking for myself again, should I be pregnant for a second time) but I think that sleep if at all possible may be the key - it shuts the adrenaline down, which can stop labour progressing.

I drank loads of raspberry leaf tea too, but it didn't have the same effect!

Lack of sleep was most detrimental. Last midwife advised they don't give sleeping tabs.. I'd be reluctant to take anything that crosses placenta anyway.

Mathew, I'm N5, but odds are you aren't!

Rockchick, I'm due in ten weeks btw.

Stiffybyng, sounds like a similar story. Ill be trying for sleep wherever possible. I know the advice is to stay mobile and upright, but I was a bit like a tiger pacing a cage the whole time and actually should have tried to rest more.