Agonising contractions but only 8 mins apart

[Misswhitman]

Hello,

I have been in what I think it’s latent labour with my first baby for 25 hours. At first my contractions were 5 mins apart but this morning went to 20 mins apart and now back down to every 8 mins.

I have tried sleep, baths, paracetamol, walking, sitting, lying, standing and a birthing ball. Despite spending 5 weeks going to hypnobirthing classes and learning to breathe through, I am finding the contractions unbearable. I am due to have a home birth and have held off calling the midwife because of the 5-1-1 rule. Does anyone have anything that worked for them? I’m really freaking out!

Bit late answering I assume things have moved on but hope everything is OK x

Am hoping you are now snoozing with a lovely baby next to you!

MissWhitman how are you doing?

Just had the midwife over for an exam, we’re having a home birth. Had an internal exam which was absolute hell and found out I’m only 2cm although apparently his head is really low. I’m just going to live in the bath until I’m allowed in the pool, even if I’m in here a month. I thought I had a high pain threshold but it appears I’m a giant wuss!

Have you asked the midwife to check if the baby is back-to-back?

I don't want to discourage you, but laying down will slow things down for you as it takes some of the pressure off of the cervix from baby's head. You need to be upright, or at least sitting and leaning forward to keep the head in the right place.

I'm booked in for my second home birth soon. I had one with dc1, the thing that slowed it down was me not moving about. It would have been over faster had I walked around, gone up and down the stairs or done squats. I was strongly encouraged to do all of this at the end and dc was born very shortly afterwards.

Good luck, and don't get dehydrated in the bath or pool, also remember to wee every half hour or so if possible.

Yes just keep moving around.

I had very long latent phase. Over 24 hiurs at home and was only 1-2cm when examined and sent home. An then 3cm by time I went back to hospital. I had a very long labour. Found it agony.

I probabaly didn’t move around as much as I should once in hospital as I found it too painful. But it really is worth trying. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though an wish I could of sped things up so do try.

I also never used the bath as home stupidly. But labour pool was bliss whilst I was in it!

I read somewhere that paracetamol can actually slow down labour as it blocks the prostaglandins (or something like that.) I'm sure baths can slow down contractions if it's early labour too. I would do as others say and keep as upright and active as possible. Eat light meals and drink plenty and try and nap if you're tired. Good luck!

2nd the advice to try to move around as much as possible. Hang onto DP and try just 3 more contractions before you get in the bath / pool. Then try another 3 etc.

The bath really restricts movement and can slow everything down.

Good luck!

How are things? Try not to focus on how many cm dilated you are vs the pain you're in/pain threshold. It doesn't really compute that way. Sorry it's so tough going for you. Hope your baby is here soon

This sounds very like it could be back to back. Have your waters gone yet?

I was stuck at 2cm for a few days, with painful contractions. Once my waters went - boom - it was very fast.

But, he was back to back. I was transferred to hospital for a forceps delivery.

Yes, I had this too, for 3 days, make sure you move around, keep eating and drinking. Try and get some sleep even if just for half an hour at a time. TENS machine was good.

Baths are great but as a pp said they do slow it down, but use one to have a break, and maybe a sleep. I can remember sleeping sitting up.

You can do it, your baby will come out eventually.

How are you OP?

So after a latent phase of 36 hours I couldn’t take any more and went to the hospital. 12 hours later under the influence of gas and air I was not dialating past 6cm and I must have asked for an epidural. Woke up yesterday having had no recollection. Still hasn’t dialated, spent all day hooked up to the hormone drip and paralysed from the epidural, still only 6cm and had an emergency c section. It was horrific but Hendrix Wilder is currently in my arms.

Aww congratulations! What a lovely name

Congratulations!

Congratulations! I love the name xx

You must be exhausted! What a trooper you are. Love the name.

Many congratulations

Congratulations OP and well bloody done to you for getting through all that. You take good care of yourself now and rest up as best you can.

Congratulations! Welcome to the world little one

You've been extremely brave Love the names for baby. Congratulations!

Thanks so much everyone. Loving being a mummy. Still no idea why everything stopped at 6cm though! Xx