Why is it taking so long?

[RF1980]

Hi new to all this (1st baby) and looking for some advice/comments from the 'pros'.
I was due on 23/3 then had first sweep this Tuesday, contractions started that evening @10pm 30sec every 4-5 min so stayed at home and slept through. Wednesday was stronger in the evening but still between 45-60sec and 5-10 apart. Yesterday had second sweep was told still 2-3cm. Last night from 930pm-1am had them much stronger upto 120sec yet still 4-8min apart. Getting more today that are +60sec but varying from 7-12 min apart .... what is going on?? Really confused. Booked in to be induced Sunday am but would rather a natural birth. Any comment and advice welcome. Thanks

If you were 2-3cm yesterday it shows that all the contractions are gradually working and you are progressing steadily. Eventually your body will kick in and you will go into established labour - and it doesn't sound like it's going to be long now.

IIRC 3cm was the magic number when I got moved from the antenatal to the labour ward...

Good luck, keep walking and moving in between trying to grab some sleep.

It could be that your baby is still getting into position. Once the head is more engaged on the cervix, it will move things along. Walking, crawling (or sweeping the floor) on hands and knees and going up and down stairs might help. Try to sit with your knees lower than your pelvis and not slouch back into chairs too much to help baby get into position.

My second labour was like this, when the contractions did get regular it all happened quite quickly, so make sure you have your hospital bag ready.

Oh and you can refuse induction you know, especially as you are in early labour already. They can always rebook you for a later date if you change your mind. You are not overdue until 42 weeks plus and a proportion of women naturally gestate for longer anyway. You could arrange for daily monitoring and wait for it all to happen naturally.

Thank you all for your advice and pointers

Yes, from what I have read, if you have a pita latent labour of the on/off kind then when you actually get down to it, the difficult bit is speedy.

What stitch said about declining induction - especially as you're clearly doing something on your own!

Every ctx now is helping baby get into position, and opening your cervix.

Also, not every labour follows the textbook 3/10 ctx pattern.

With DS I was contracting every 6-8 minutes, for 3-4 minutes at a time The MW didn't believe I was in active labour and was rather surprised to find I was 6cm when she got to my house!

Your actually doing ok. My first labour too 4 days and nights of this with no sleep to get to 3cm. you have my sympathy as it was exhausting! Once waters were broken baby was here 4hrs later!

If your already 2-3cm something is happening, it may not be fast but its happening. Maybe today baby will come. Good luck

Thank you for all you support, advice and well wishes. She finally popped out Sunday morning before the induction and we are now home enjoying family life
See you on here again with more questions no doubt.

Yay! Congratulations.

Congratulations

I am in a similar situation and seeking advice and support. Had erratic contractions since 2am. They seem to be slowing down now. How do I keep them going? I am also worried it has taken all that time just to get rid of my mucus plug!

Hi Empress - I've only just spotted your post. I hope you've been making progress since you posted and that you have your baby very soon.

Thanks piprabbit but alas still in pain and still in the early stages. It's hell and I honestly want to die.

You sound miserable - and I don't blame you. At least you have managed to keep the contractions going, which will all be helping.

Try and hang on to the fact that your body is doing stuff, it is preparing the way for your baby to arrive, a slow start can lead to a speedier arrival. Have you taken paracetamol? Also standing, or kneeling (lean forward over a chair) and moving your hips in a figure of 8 can help with the pain and getting your baby into position.

Thanks piprabbit. I am still in the same situation. The contractions haven't stopped and haven't ramped up to established labour either. Got no sleep at all last night as contractions were constant and too painful to sleep through. Thanks for the hug!

Hope you're hanging in there Empress. I was wondering if you might want to start your own live birth thread - I'm sure you'll get loads more support if you do, and it sounds like you need some hand holding while the tedious bit lasts.

How are you getting on op?