Help! First time mum - labour seems to have stalled

[justanothermummy2b]

I just posted this in the pregnancy forum but have realised it might have been more appropriate here:

Looking for some help from other mums on how to get labour going again. My waters broke at 3am and I started having contractions about 6-7 minutes apart. Went to the at 6am hospital and they confirmed waters had gone and that I was in early labour - said my cervix was still closed. They booked me in for an induction tomorrow (standard procedure I was told) and sent me home at 9am to see how things progressed. MW at hospital seemed confident I'd be back there this afternoon. But I haven't had a contraction for the past hour or two and it all seems to have stopped

I've been fairly positive and cheerful about the situation all day, spent some time relaxing in the sunshine, making sure I moved around, cleaned up the house a bit to keep active and went for a walk with DH. Contractions have been fairly constant in intensity either occurring between 6-7min or - at the most - 15min apart lasting 50/70seconds, they're a bit ouch but nothing I haven't been able to handle by breathing through.

I started to get a bit concerned that things hadn't really progressed much a few hours ago so had a bath to try and relax and then just had a small snooze but am now worried that everything seems to have stopped and am feeling a bit upset. I really don't want an induction tomorrow.

DH says I should go and have a sleep and take advantage of the lull in activity, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't be doing something to make the contractions start again? I'm stressing myself out (which I know isn't helping!). Advice please?!

I think you should get comfy in your bed, make it dark and relaxing, listen to some nice music or a hypnobirthing meditation if you've been using one. Try and relax. Maybe talk to your baby and tell them how you're feeling. Tomorrow you could see if an acupuncturist or reflexologist could fit you in if you wanted to try and kick things off naturally but in any case I think maybe baby's waiting for tonight to come. Not long till your baby will be here now!

Thanks Pink! Well, I've now been in labour for 24hours and no progress so guess I'm being induced today. Contractions have been fairly strong and regular since 10pm BUT I am only having two an hour. I don't see this progressing to the requisite 3 every 10 minutes by the time I have to go back to the hospital later this morning. I stupidly really thought if I did everything 'right' I'd be able to manage a purely natural, non-medicated birth. I guess I need to look on the bright side, I'm fairly well rested as I managed to sleep between contractions all night and in the next 24 hours (hopefully) I'll get to hold my baby.

Hello.. I was in early labour when I was induced 7 hours later I had my baby.. Good luck! X

My labor started on and off again a week before my daughter decided to finally come out. Its frustrating, and then when it was for real, it took almost 6 hours of hard contractions to dilate to 4cm. So natural isn't always best. :)

Good luck with you baby today! Let us know how it goes!