How long did latent phase of labour last for you?

[counttotwenty]

I'm pregnant with my second. I had a sweep yesterday morning and have been having a 'bloody show' since. At around midnight last night I started contracting. I had contractions all night every 3-8 minutes and getting stronger. I was planning to phone the ward soon after 7am once ds1 was at mil's house. But then the contractions started to ease off. They got weaker and further apart.

All day today I've been having contractions, but they are far weaker and very spaced out. I'm hoping the contractions overnight have done something! I'm still having my bloody show, which I notice each time I got to the toilet.

My first born's labour was completely different. My waters went first, and then around 12 hours later I started contracting and had ds1 8 hours later.

Has anyone else had their labour start like this? What happened next? How long did it take to reach established labour? Thank you.

A very timely question for me! I went into labour on Friday morning at 1.30am. Labour pains were initially like period pains but very regular at every 7-8 mins. They lasted the day then slowed down Friday night. Same thing on Saturday, although they increased in frequency and became more intense, but didn't stay close together (fastest every 3-4 mins). Eventually went into hospital Sunday night around 7pm and was admitted dilated 6cm. Baby came 12 hours later and is just napping

Best of luck

Awwww congratulations.

It's so frustrating! Fingers crossed he'll be here by the end of the week!

You're probably not going to like my answer. Dc3 5 days. Dc4 9 days & then I had to be induced as I wasn't progressing at all. He was out less than 2 hours after the drip went though. I had contractions every 5 minutes for those 9 days too . I had Drs & midwives popping in to congratulate me after he finally arrived!

Thank you

That sounds horrible for you Bernards.

My last contraction was the strongest one I've had all day so I'm hoping this baby just likes labouring at night! Curry, a walk and bouncing on the ball this evening!

I was exactly like you op. I had a sweep on my due date and then about 3 days of show and contacting on and off...eventually they broke my waters and 17 minutes later ds2 arrived! Good luck !

About 65 hours for me. But that was my first. I've been assured that second babies are quicker. Obviously not all the time!

I found walking sped things up and lying down slowed it down. Going for a drive seemed to help too (DH driving).

It wasn't the most fun I've ever had. All worth it once he arrived of course . I tried to stay as active as possible but made sure I rested too, hills really helped. The midwife who delivered him did tell me afterwards 4th's either come very quickly or take ages. I hope you're both holding your little ones very soon

Exactly like you except contractions started first on the sat, had a sweep, eased off a few hours later. Same thing Sunday. Monday started again but dd showed up at midday!

A few more contractions this evening. We've had a takeaway curry for dinner (though I only had a little......figured a stomach full of curry and full blown labour wouldn't be a good mix) and then went for a walk. I've climbed into bed now. Im shattered after no sleep last night so figured I'd try an early night so that even if things do start properly later on I'd have rested a little first.

Although contractions seem to have tapered off a bit for u OP be warned that happened to me with my DS and then I suddenly needed to push lots of luck

I had 4 nights of latent labour with DS, contracting 2 in 10 then stopping over the day unless I tried to lie down to get some sleep.

With hindsight, DS was rotating the long way round through back to back. I've been told by midwives that stop start labour is one of the signs that the baby isn't in the right orientation so isn't pressing on the cervix strongly. They suggested spinning baby exercises to help the baby move if the same thing happened again - might be worth a go?

With DD I had 20 hours of latent labour but it didn't stop. After DS my priority was making sure I tried to get sleep in case it went on as long again. I found a TENs very helpful in being able to stay lying down through contractions and doze in between, if you have one?

I'm in hospital. Got in at around 1am after having a heavy bleed. Contracting all night and it's eased off again this morning. I'm 3cm but can be stretched to 6cm easily. They reckon as soon as my waters go things will move very quickly! Waiting for doctor to do the rounds as they were discussing breaking my waters but are going to see whether they go naturally for a little while!

Both my mum, myself and my sister had this with dc2. Then very short easy labours ( 2 hours). Good luck. Latent phase was a couple of days :)

That sounds like me with DD (DC2). After 20 hours of latent labour, when i was examined i was 4cm but easily stretched to 7cm. My waters went in the pool with a real pop (oddest sensation!) about an hour later, and DD was born 2 hours after that. Hopefully things will go as fast for you.

Good luck, OP!

Oh good luck count

Good luck!!

Thank you

My waters were broken at 1:30 and I was then put on the hormone drip at 2:30. My baby boy was then born at 4:20 this afternoon. They've classed it as less than 3 hours active labour. Far more intense than with my first born!

Thank you all for your stories and well wishes. We're already home and I'm resisting the urge to switch the lights on to have a peek at him!

Oh congratulations! Hope you have a lovely first night.

Aww, many congratulations. Enjoy all the newborness of him