Contractions coming and going

[sundayblanket]

I'm not sure if this is a big old moan or a question...

I am 39+3 and started having bad cramps around midnight last night. Went to the bathroom, and the mucus plug popped out. The cramps became irregular contractions (only 10-20 seconds each) that lasted all night, which meant I barely slept.

Got up at 8am, and the contractions have slowed right down, and are probably more severe cramps now, with a big contraction every 20-30 mins or so.

What's happening? I know some women have week-long latent labours but I was really hoping I wouldn't be one of them. Anyone else have experience of this? Can I do anything to ramp things up?

No little people or pets. I figured (hoped?) the contractions would ramp up today and I'd have the baby today, so no time for napping today! I managed to sleep a couple of hours last night between contractions... 💤

How are you feeling now? Sleep some more if you can.

If it's any consolation, my labours like this have ended up kicking off and all happening really quickly at the end!

The best thing to do would be to get some sleep if possible. I live in Canada and here everyone is advised to take travel sickness meds that will make you drowsy in order to rest.

Lying down was exacerbating the contractions, so I'm (we are!) up again! Day 2 (sort of day 3?) of what might be a mammoth labour... is there any point timing contractions again? Wish there was a way to measure dilation at home...

I experienced 3 days of this, contractions would ramp up, and then fall off again. Day 1 I was 1cm, told to come back later. Day 2 I was 2-3cm, told to come back again later. By day 3 I was exhausted and in agony so went back and begged for help. It turned out my bladder was full and not emptying properly, and that was blocking the baby's head from making contact with the cervix which is needed to get it to open up. They catheterised me in the end and the relief was immense. My baby was born 12 hours later. If you're struggling to go to the loo at all, I would ring your midwife and ask for help, as it might be delaying your progress.

@katmarie that's really useful info, thank you. So wonder they tell you to empty your bladder regularly! I'll mention this to my midwife

I had this with my first OP, laboured at home for 24hrs then went in only to be told I was 3cm and got sent home. It then ramped up and I went back in 3hrs later to be told I was 8.5cm dilated and ‘good thing you came in now’.
I hope it ramps up for you OP, you’ve waited long enough!

Are you taking paracetamol at home? This will help, and getting on all 4s!! Good luck 😉

So sorry to hear that you're still labouring OP! Had hoped I'd wake up to a baby announcement from you this morning.

I really hope it doesn't keep you waiting much longer - some good advice there about making sure your bladder is being emptied

Good luck op! X

I had this with a back to back labour. I would try something called a forward leaning inversion (spinning babies website). I was contracting for 5 days before being admitted to the maternity unit. Labour didn't progress and I had a section.

I've also just had my second baby naturally and I put it down to taking bicarbonate of soda (1 teaspoon in a glass of water - rank but effective!)

Wake your DH, you have literally weeks of broken sleep ahead of you and the company will keep you sane

I remember this with my first 3 cm on due date, he wasn't born until ten days over. Just hang in there. Keep moving and stay distracted!

Thank you everyone!

In terms of pain relief, I've found the paracetamol and codeine mix quite effective - it's allowed me to get a couple of hours sleep (woken up every 20-30 mins by a contraction, of course). Spoke to my MW, who says if contractions get worse today, go into hospital again and get some diamorphine to get some good rest.

I think my worst case scenario is days of contractions, followed by an attempt at vaginal birth, then emergency CS. Fingers crossed for me please it's more smooth sailing from here! 🤞🏼

Good luck op you'll have your baby soon.

Dd1 did this to me, after 3 boys, she decided to start nye and eventually popped out on the 2nd of Jan.

Hope you’re ok OP

Things may well get going properly soon. I had this kind of labour and it all went to a normal delivery after a few days

Don’t forget to snatch sleep when you can even in the day as you need to be as rested as you can and labour may start at night

Thanks everyone for your nice posts. The little one eventually popped out this morning! Labour was over 3.5 days, which was extremely tiring and stressful, but we got there eventually! :)

Congratulations and well done!

Congratulations!!

Ohhh congratulations!!!
Hope you and baby are doing well 💐

Congratulations glad you are okay.

Congratulations

@BabyBooDue how are you getting on with the soon-to-be little one?

@katmarie I have to really thank you. I almost had a ruptured bladder! I luckily remembered your story and kept telling the midwives something was wrong. Eventually they fitted a catheter drain and two huge containers of urine came out...