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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

38 hours of contractions..... help

29 replies

elvis4nuts · 11/07/2021 12:09

I've now been having contractions for 38 hours. I'm exhausted.

I went into hospital last night but was sent home because I was only 1cm dilated and contractions became very irregular.

I am in agony and I don't know how to get through this, but hospital said not to come back until I have 3 in 10 minutes, regularly.

Any advice gratefully received.
I'm losing all hope. And my marbles.

OP posts:
FTEngineerM · 11/07/2021 12:11

Oh god that sounds awful ❤️.

Can you go up and down the stairs or bounce on an exercise ball to get the head pushing on your cervix some more?

elvis4nuts · 11/07/2021 12:14

I seems if I leave the comfort of my bedroom the contractions stop!

Also no stairs, but I am trying to regularly sit on the ball.

I phoned the hospital again and they said I had a sweep booked for Tuesday and that should help. TUESDAY? Surely I cannot wait that long....:

OP posts:
Paripale · 11/07/2021 12:19

Call the maternity ward and tell them what’s going on. Would you have a c-section/epidural if offered? Your labour sounds like my first labour … irregular but painful contractions for hours and hours with no progress. Ended up having an EMCS - turns out he was facing upwards with his arm in the way. Call them and say you are exhausted and finding it hard to cope. They may well tell you to come back so they can offer you support /alternatives.

Cosybelles · 11/07/2021 12:22

If you've had enough, you can request a CS if you want to. You must be absolutely exhausted.

FoolsAssassin · 11/07/2021 12:27

I agree with Paripale , ring them and say you are totally exhausted and can’t cope anymore.

Had this with DD who was brow presentation and I didn’t get the regular contractions they asked for. It gets to the stage where enough is enough and you need support. I rang and was told I wasn’t ready to go in as had talked to her on the phone for 7 mins , take some paracetamol and have a bath.

Did as told, waters broke and shortly after community midwife turned up and I was nearly 8cm dilated.

elvis4nuts · 11/07/2021 12:30

Really appreciating all your support girls x
Thank you x

OP posts:
FoolsAssassin · 11/07/2021 12:31

Hang in there and good luck 💐
Mine is 22 and back home for weekend - totally worth it 😀

FTEngineerM · 11/07/2021 12:34

I don’t know why they’re so adamant on ‘3 contractions in ten minutes’ I didn’t reach that at all even when I was DS1 and you could see his head 😂.

Nah you can’t wait until Tuesday like this, you’ll have a baby plonked in your arms and you’re going to want to be as rested as possible. I agree give them a ring back. At least with epi you could sleep

BeHappyAndSmile · 11/07/2021 12:38

I had over 60 hours of contractions in the end and they never got to the 3 in 10 mins point. After 24 hours I begged to be admitted for stronger painkillers and the last 6 hours I had an epidural and ended up on the hormone drip because the contractions just weren't getting there even though I was 10cms. So definitely go back in, if you're not coping refuse to leave until you get some pain relief or even request a section if you feel that's the way to go. Good luck!

elvis4nuts · 11/07/2021 23:05

49 hours....

The football did not help!

Going to try and get some sleep and if all else fails call the hospital in a couple of hours and tell them enough is enough x

OP posts:
gggrrrargh · 11/07/2021 23:20

I’ll be thinking of you. I had similar for several days and I couldn’t eat or sleep, and yes I tried to go to the hospital twice. I remember thinking if they said ‘try a warm bath’ or ‘you’ll be more comfortable at home’ one more time I was going to lie on the floor in the corridor and let people walk over me whilst the misery overcame me.

That doesn’t sound positive enough (sorry!) but you’ve got this and keep going as best as you can. I found watching easy watching programmes helped like Friends - something to mark another half hour passing, and another etc

FoolsAssassin · 12/07/2021 08:38

How are things this morning ?

elvis4nuts · 12/07/2021 09:08

Went into hospital at 2am. By that my contractions had really ramped up. But still only 2cm 🤦🏼‍♀️

Made it absolutely clear I wasn't going home and they were ok with that.

Had some pethidine which made me feel stoned but did nothing for the pain.

Had a bath (we don't have one at home) and that was great relief.

Contractions were 3 in 10 minutes easily but slowed down again. Waiting for the doctor.

One way or another this baby is coming out day!

60 hours and counting.....

OP posts:
FoolsAssassin · 12/07/2021 09:16

So sorry it’s still going on but glad you are in hospital now. Fingers crossed for appearance of this baby very very soon.

Vallmo47 · 12/07/2021 09:21

So sorry OP, that sounds awful. Glad you’re in the right hands now and look forward to your baby update!!

LaMadrilena · 12/07/2021 09:23

Good luck OP! My DD is now 6w. I went into hospital on the Wed night with contractions every 6 min and was sent home, 1cm dilated. Hung on Thurs-Fri, it was horrible! Arrived at hospital for booked induction on the Saturday morning, with contractions only just ramping up. Induction cancelled, DD born after the rest of labour went ridiculously quickly!

Chanel05 · 12/07/2021 10:52

Good luck @elvis4nuts ! I went from 2-7cm in 4 hours! It can happen.

halfwaythrough2 · 12/07/2021 15:27

Same! I think I'm on day 5 now! But I've demanded to be taken into hospital now as wel so just waiting on the ward. How's your labor going ?! Must be popped by now!

SpamIAm · 12/07/2021 15:49

Oh bless you OP! I was 39 hours all in and was so exhausted by the end of it I can't remember anything about that night. Had a lovely nap once my epidural was administered though so would definitely recommend that!

gggrrrargh · 12/07/2021 16:59

How are you doing now?

Sexnotgender · 13/07/2021 14:26

You must be exhausted. Hoping you’re holding a lovely squishy baby now.

elvis4nuts · 13/07/2021 14:50

72 hours of contractions
1 failed epidural
6 hours at 9cm
1.5 hours of pushing
Second degree tear

But I did it 💛

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 13/07/2021 14:52

@elvis4nuts

72 hours of contractions 1 failed epidural 6 hours at 9cm 1.5 hours of pushing Second degree tear

But I did it 💛

Yay!!!! Congratulations ❤️

Enjoy your beautiful little human 💐

FoolsAssassin · 13/07/2021 15:17

Brilliant, congratulations!!!

FTEngineerM · 13/07/2021 15:50

Awww congratulations 🥳