Help! Been in first stage of labour for 24hr+

[wellsie]

Need some advice, help, support.
This is second pregnancy and so far labour is very different to the first.
Have been having regular contractions every 5mins for the last 24hrs. Slept about 2.5hrs last night and went to hospital this morning for monitoring. They confirmed in labour but contractions not very strong so sent home.
No developments all day, have just phoned birth unit who said to have a bath and take some paracetamol, burst into tears as am so tired and just know I won't be able to sleep tonight.
How can I speed this first stage up. Was text book with DS, 12hrs labouring am feeling quite low and abdomen is very tender.
Please help.

go wellsie go!
personally I would take the opportunity to have an early night, but then I always was lazy that way

best of luck with it all and I look forward to reading your birth announcement v soon...

"We all know what Wellsie is doing" sung in very childish school ground voice.

Hope is has the desired effect.

And if you have an orgasm (diy or not) you will get your uterus contracting. Twiddling with your nipples can do that too.

I'm still here
Sent DH to work and looked after DS today, contracting on and off, no regularity and no increase in pain. Am getting really fed up now. Don't think DH will want to do it again, was a bit tricky what with being 40wks pregnant and all that
Is this non-progressive labour and if so what are my options, surely I can't go on like this. Am seeing MW tomorrow for a check up, is there anything I can insist on?
Your advice would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance.

oh gosh, i SO feel for you. i had a labour like this three weeks ago (and with DD it was similar too). days of contractions 3-5 minutes apart and not getting stronger. i got so depressed by it. best thing was the birth ball and maybe the curry i had the night before things finally kicked off. good luck xxxx

Wellsie, I had this - 24 hours with contractions, not dilating, sent home, another 24 hours. I got so desperate through lack of sleep that in the end I fibbed and said I thought my waters had broken (although I knew they hadn't) and I was admitted. I said I was finding it really hard to cope, so tired, etc. and they put me on syntocin and kick started everything. I was a week early at this point (and yes, at first they'd said they wouldn't do anything until I was overdue) I could have kissed the m/w - I think she could see I was at the end of my tether. 7 hours of labour, no intervention (although did have my waters broken for me - cue slightly lame surprised face - 'really? Still there??'!! and everything was fine. It was just such a relief. Good luck.

Should add, my contractions were every 3 minutes for two days - and on the monitor they could see that they were full contractions too. I think they were hoping I'd just wait it out, but really I couldn't have done. I was actually falling asleep standing up in between contractions when I was actually in labour!

oh you poor thing, was in exactly the same situation with dd, if it's any consolation the second half of dilation from 4cms to new baby went spectacularaly (sp?) quickely.. about 2 hours. have you tried all the other methods already:

massage with clary sage oil
rubbing the balls of your big toes deeply in a clockwise motion
squatting
playing with nipples
homeopathic remedies, caullophylum is the one for strong contractions i think
walk on the beach helped speed things up for me if theres one close to you

good luck

wellsie - although it is tiring and frustrating, this latent phase of labour will not go on forever. Before you go to bed tonight have 2 paracetamol and a soak in a warm bubble bath. Try and sleep rather than trying to get things going by walking around etc. If you feel like another bit of nookie then just go for it, but it might be a good idea to have paracetamol and a bath after it! Have you got a gym ball? They are great for sitting on and helping your babe get into the right position for labour. You may be having a slow start because the baby is not as well p ositioned as it could be. The problem with getting induced at this stage is that the baby might be forced down the birth canal in an awkward position which can lead to a long labour.
I know that 'paracetamol and a bath' sound useless, but the combination can work well if you give it a chance.
Start mentally talking to your baby and encourage it to come. Mentally try and be positive rather than wishing yourself into labour. Tell yourself what a great labour you are going to have because your body is going through all this preparation to get it right.
All the contractions you are having are softening the cervix and getting your body prepared. Try and work with it than against it.You might find that everything will stop for a few days to let you rest and get ready for labour. Take advantage of the lull and get some sleep. You really haven't got long to wait........

oh wellsie you are still here . My early labour went on for 4 days and ds was in the OP position so lots of pain and NO sleep AT ALL - it was horrendous , i have never experienced exhaustion like it. When i did get to the magic 3cm they put me on a drip to spead things up a bit and i thought why FFS was i not put on that before now? Are you getting some sleep? i think if you feel you can't go on like this then you can't and should ask what the options are. I felt after my experience i should not have been allowed to go on without sleep for so long.

Babe is in OP position so perhaps that's why it's taking ages. Am getting sleep, although DS is waking in the night for 2hrs but that's another story.
Will try and relax about it. Tonight contractions have been coming every 5mins but not that painful. Have real pressure in my bottom and need to go for a wee every 15mins. Still no show and waters intact.

Still thinking about you wellsie you poor thing, mears is totally right try as much as you can to rest/sleep I know its an annoying thing to hear but its true. It really won't be that long before its all in full swing.

Fingers crossed for a new arrival tomorrow at some point.

Wellsie - the OP position is likely to be causing this long phase. Are you spending 10 mins at a time on your hands and knees to help get position corrected. Also sitting on straight backed chair or gym ball? Avoid sitting slumped back on a comfy sofa. some info here

He's here!!! Will put an announcement on with details. [SMILE]