Long early stages of labor

[Stardust91]

Hello,
Last night around midnight my contractions started. A couple of hours later i called the number the midwife had given me and the advice that was given was that contractions weren't too often (1min contraction every 5 min) and i needed to wait for them to become more frequent (3-4 contractions in a 10 min gap).

So here i am, 12 hrs after contractions started and labor doesn't seem to progress with more often contractions. Instead the gap changes to every 5 min contractions to every 7-8 min lasting around 50sec. But the pain it feels like much much worse.

I have barely had any sleep and i feel so tired. I just want to cry and i feel this isn't going anywhere. Most websites say this stage will usually last 8-12 hrs but i am past that now. Has anyone been in the same boat with this early stage?

I have tried walking but it doesn't seem to be speeding up the process. Any advice or similar experiences would be helpful. I just don't know what to do.

Eat, drink, use the loo, shower and nap. Hot water bottle on your tum or back. TENS machine if you have one. Distract yourself, TV, radio, chat, sudoku.
Some people do have long latent phases but they get longer if you are dehydrated and low in blood sugar. Walking only helps if you want to do it, otherwise rest.
This is your body preparing, it's all worthwhile and softens up the cervix for efficient dilatation. Dilation doesn't usually get going until you are having three good contractions every 10 minutes.
This baby is coming!

I had regular and strong contractions for about two days before I got to 4cm. It sucks, and no one really warns you that it can take this long. Its horrible and you have my sympathies. Just try and eat and drink and get any rest you can, but if you hit the stage where you're worried you're not eating and drinking for a while give them another call.

Fwiw I had an epidural when I finally hit 4cm mainly because I was so bloody knackered, rather than I was in too much pain.

I was in early labour for 48hrs, it was a long two days
I just tried to keep my self occupied, had showers, bounced on ball etc. I didn’t really sleep much as I was so focused on the contractions. Went to triage after 24hrs and had a sweep when she checked my dilation (was 2/3cm) at that time and got some stronger painkillers to help then went home. Spent most of the 2nd day just by myself and doing relaxing breathing and went into triage that night at 4cms and sent to delivery LO was born about 8hrs after I was admitted

I got to 6cm on gas and air then was just to exasusted and had diamorphine for the last 3.5hrs of Labour, 50+ hrs to get to 6cms then the final 4cm and pushing in 3.5hrs

22 hours for me to get to 2cm. I had a sweep booked anyway and that did seem to speed things up, though it was still another 12 hours until he finally made his appearance.

My contractions were irregular. Even at 6cm, they were 3 minutes, then 6, then 5. The pain had definitely ramped up though- no way I could have talked through one, and had to prepare to get through them.

I had a home birth so can’t advise on if the hospital (if that’s your plan) will admit you, but I’d personally take into consideration the strength of contractions as well as frequency.

I have a tens and i am currently hugging a water bottle as well. The contractions have definitely reached the point where I can't speak and all i can do is barely breathe through them. I dread to think how bad the actual pushing contractions are.
I spoke to the midwife again. She said to give it an hour or so and see how the contractions are.
I also had a bit of food and water.
I want to lie down but every time i do it seems like it slows down the contractions.
I really want this to be over so bad.

Thank you for your replies

I recently had a long slow early labour with third baby, started 3am very weak contractions between 10-30 mins apart for ages. Kept sleeping in between although they woke me up, kept eating etc.

At about 3pm they got pretty strong and about 5 mins apart but still bearable, I got midwife to come to me as was booked for home birth, she arrived about 4.30 said I was 3 cm dilated. I decided I’d prefer to go in for birth than home birth, she said give it a couple of hours but I felt the contractions pretty strong so as soon as she left we went in.
Arrived 6pm, baby born within the hour, had to push almost as soon as I got in the room and dh had parked car midwife didn’t catch baby’s head even she got there just to catch rest of the baby!

Good luck! Long early phase definitely tiring, but don’t get disillusioned it is hopefully doing someth8jg!

@Stardust91 the midwife ( I am one too) is giving good advice. It's positive that the contractions are intensifying, makes it more likely that dilatation is beginning. One reason to stay home is that the hormones of early labour can be reduced by the stress of travel and hospital assessment. Once they are 3 in 10 minutes, it's less likely to happen
Many times I've assessed someone in early labour whose contractions have really reduced since leaving the house.
Keep hydrated and nibbling, good luck!

In case anyone was wondering, i gave birth Monday morning. Whole process felt like an eternity of torture. Thank you all for your responses!

Congratulations, Stardust
How long was your pushing stage?
Enjoy the brand new baby cuddles

Thank you, Rosesared. When i finally reached 10cm it went fairly quick. I was forever stuck at 8cm and then at 9 cm, though. i had to have oxytocin to help me reach 10cm towards the end, i was so tired and had given up.

Well done.
I tell anyone who has a long labour to spend the next week in pyjamas. Rest as much as you can.

Woo! Congratulations.

Thank you all, at the moment to be honest i am struggling with the baby blues. I can't stop crying.

Get as much rest as you can lovely. I developed pnd after my 76hr labour (not saying you do too, baby blues are common) You will be so exhausted. Just make the most of any rest you can get and make that the priority.

I'm literally in the same position you were now! Could have written that myself! Hope baby comes soon!

Congrats! xx

Oh, the leftover hormones, aka baby blues. I hope you get a chance to rest and enjoy little one. It may help to know that the quickest way your body can get rid of stress hormones is via tears/crying. Don't try to stop it or keep it in...crying is good for you

I had this with my first and it went on for 3 days I was absolutely exhausted it's the worst type of labour. After being sent home from hospital 3 times they finally let me stay and after another 6 hours in pain in the hospital they then realized he was stuck and I had to get rushed to a different room and get properly induced. I think it's so wrong they let you go on for so long