any one else had long latent labour then gone from 4cm to delivery in minutes?

[worriedwretch]

BOTH my previous labours, Ive laboured at home for a long time (one was planned HB with transfer in to hospital for failure to progress) only to go from 4cm to delivering the baby (nearly unaided both times) within 10 minutes?

DC3 due in 2 weeks...

DS2 - latent phase was about 23hours. On labour ward for last 8 hours, MW examined me (4cm) and 20 mins later baby born.

4cms to delivery in less than 40 minutes here. Only just made it down the corridor to the pool. It can be hard to trust your body in that situation I think. I was in as I was induced. Took hours of nothing happening and then BAM. Despite it being my third, and despite my second labour being only 3.5 hours, I was kind of told to just wait in the side room, nothing could possibly be happening so fast. Even at 4cms, which is generally considered established labour, there was no hurry to get me to a delivery suite, I wasn't screaming with pain, quite the opposite actually, so I guess they thought nothing was imminent. As they were the professionals I thought it would be hours before thigns happened. But you must remember, and trust, that they don't know your body as you know it. if you think things are happening you must say so. After 4cms, I had no internals. I only agreed to that one as I was convinced my bits were falling out as the induction pessary was so unconfortable. Once that was whipped out, I felt no need for another one. Tbh once I got in the pool, there was no need anyway. i went completely into myself, and the noises I was making apparently showed I was already fully dilated. I think I started pushing straight away, but even then didn't quite believe it had happened so fast. I can't see that they'd withhold gas and air if you really need it.

And actually I completely agree with muso. All three of mine have been OP. dd was my first and didn't turn- cue a 14 hour labour, which was 2 weeks overdue. Just no pressure on the right place imo. Both ds's were OP but turned before being born, and once they did, things happened very quickly. I have a tilted womb apparently, I've been told that this, and the shape of my pelvis, would encourage an OP lie. All have been vastly overdue as well.

fuckity they did with me. Age was an utter cow and tbh I'm not over the complete lack of support. Thing is, I couldn't argue as took all my effort to manage contractions and I wasn't being all screamy

1st 2 were OP 3rd wasn't. All early except dd who was on due day

Got my birth story here (she's 9 months now)

Jessica Emily was born at 11.12pm on 22nd October 2011 a healthy 9lb3oz. She's beautiful :)

I woke around 2am on 22nd with strong ctx and they kept going every 5 - 10 min. They came closer together till they were 3-5. Went in hospital and was disappointed at only 2cm dilated posterior cervix with length. Returned home at 11.30am. Pains came all day and increased intensity and frequency. Managed to help get my ds2 to bed and sister and bil arrived. Back in hosp around 8. In lots of pain and needing g&a. Checked and still same cervix. In tears as pain so intense. Told couldn't have g&a till in labour and I wasn't. Told could have temazepan or pethidine. I didn't want either as stay in system. Had to go to another ward. This was all around 8.30. In huge pain and accepted pethidine at 9ish. Did nothing except make me feel sick. Had no idea how I could carry on and was very scared. We were left on our own. Midwife checked me at 10.45 as I was quite loud. I was already 9cm and on all fours on bed. Wheeled round to delivery still no pain relief and they couldn't work g&a. I was begging for epidural! No time obviously. Finally got g&a at 11.03, at same time I was fully dilated and urge to bear down (so primal and powerful) and it eased pain to do so. Waters went on first push and I thought that was it! Lol but needed to deliver baby. Within 9 minutes Jessica delivered and then placenta 5 min later. I was kneeling/all fours for whole lot. All on a little g&a for pushing. Had small 2nd degree tear no stitches. Left hospital within 2 hours of delivery. Jessica already pro at bfing and is amazing :) I'm sore, after pains strong and lost large clot. Hoping all ok down there but to be reviewed Tuesday or sooner if I pass more. Never had injection to deliver placenta either. All very very quick and intense. Can't believe I went from 2cm posterior with length to 9 cm in 2 hours 15 min and to have baby in total of 2 1/2 hours! :D

Actually I was denied G&A by young MW who told me that "it was only for established labour". 5 mins later I had internal by older/wiser MW after telling her that I felt like pushing and 20mins later gave birth. Younger MW was v. as I was rushed to the delivery suite - nearly had baby in lift.

I managed to control my pain with breathing, didn't ask for anything, read a book and magazine, walked around the ward, grazed all afternoon, let a student doctor have a go, and had my tea an hour before birth. Nobody believed I was in labour except for lovely older MW as I was only 32 weeks. But was exactly the same as labour of DS1 (except didn't manage pains as well).

Last baby went from 2-3cm, ready to go home with irregular contractions to D's being born 45 minutes later. Had an enema in that period and he was born literally within 5 mins of me leaving the loo

Enemas? They still do them?

You in the UK?

With dc2, my waters broke at home (while peeling spuds). Contractions went from 0 to 60 almost immediately.

Within 30 mins, I was having 3 contractions every 10 mins, and got to hospital shortly after to find I was fully dilated and ready to push. Dc2 arrived 28 mins later and whole thing was less than 90 minutes.

I did have what I thought were strong braxton hicks for a couple of days beforehand. They weren't regular and there was no pattern to them, so not sure if it was latent labour or not.

By the way, I was due an elcs but dd wasn't waiting around for that. Once my head had caught up with my body, I was so pleased I managed a vbac - and no tearing, despite the speedy arrival!