Prolonged latent/preterm labour stories?

[kwebbi14]

Hello ladies!

Do you have any pre labour/latent labour stories to share?

I would love to hear, I'm 35 weeks and it's looking that way for me.

Thank you x

Not sure exactly what you mean but with DS there was a good 10-12 days between when I lost my mucus plug and when labour started properly. Throughout that time I was getting on/off 'period pains' - definite mild pain, different from Braxton Hicks, but not the real deal - for a few hours most days. Unlike real labour they didn't really intensify and they didn't stop me sleeping/wake me up. I also felt "different" throughout that time - very calm and cheerful (despite being very disabled by a dreadful pregnancy) - so I was fairly sure I was gearing up for labour and wouldn't go overdue. I assume some sort of pre-labour hormonal shift was responsible for all these symptoms. I am now 37+3 with DS2 and in a similar phase I think. I'm not expecting the baby to arrive in the next 24 hours but I'd be surprised if he doesn't put in an appearance within a fortnight.

I had lots of early labour signs for past couple of weeks, midwife didn't think I'd make it to my due date but I'm now 40+3 and still waiting! It could be you will start soon but don't get your hopes like I did and then be disappointed and frustrated! Best of luck x

Yes - 11 weeks of it! Started at 27 weeks and I gave birth at 38 weeks. By the end it was utterly miserable - I would have regular painful contractions all night every night and then they would just stop in the morning. So no sleep. I ended up being induced (which was very effective as I was already 2cm dilated).

Forgot to say that despite the long build up it was really obvious in my case when labour started properly and I had a very straightforward labour and delivery despite all my health issues.

With my first I had a contraction every ten minutes, for a minute and a half for four days! On the night of the third day, probably about 11pm my waters broke and from there it all went nuts, strong very frequent contractions and baby out at 4:31am.

Second baby I prepared for another four day-er and she was done and dusted in five hours!

Advice I would give anyone on a long latent phase are first and foremost...DON'T TIME CONTRACTIONS. Until they're on top of each other and unmanageable, don't bother timing because it goes on and on and it's very disheartening. Try to rest and have a good box set to hand...as well as some good company. If possible have a close friend come round, then your partner can at least have a little break.

Yep. Happened to me all 5 times. The 5th one was the worst, 9 days with my waters gushing, looking after 4 other children on my own to save DH's paternity leave for afterwards, frequent appointments at the maternity assessment unit. The 3rd one was the best. Inlaws looked after older 2 children, bringing them back for regular visits. DH was off work and we just relaxed, watched films, went for meals out and tried not to think about how things were progressing.

I had it with ds2 and 3. Started loosing plug very early, pains started on and off with ds2 about 35/36 weeks and then the plug turned bloody about 38 weeks, pains continued on and off. On my due date they ramped up and was timeable (every 6 mins) this continued like that for 4 days at every 6 mins and then the 4th night they ramped to ev 2 mins but still wasnt progressing much further but by this point the rest of my bloody show come away and he was born on the afternoon of the 5th day of proper contractions. But period pains and irregular contractions etc started 35wk.

With ds3 I turned to 30 week and it was just constant signs everyday, by 33wk I was in hospital been assesed for preterm labour (plug, regular contractions etc) but stopped again and then restarted. I went into regular contractions everyday again at 37+1 aswell as having the good old clear out sign since 35wk and bloody shows, I gave birth at 38wk. Im really looking forward to this time lol :/