How long (and painful) can the latent phase be?

[helenpettigrew]

Happy Xmas everyone. I've been in the early stages of labour (not established) since Sunday evening with irregular but frequent and excrutiatingly painful contractions. I'm 41 weeks today. The baby is, or certainly was, posterior lie so this may account for increased pain. We went in to hospital early on Christmas morning but as I wasn't in 'true' labour we went home. I had a show on saturday night. Has anyone experienced such a painful and lengthy latent stage? The pain feels like someone is trying to break my back open; it also stretches round my lower abdomen is felt in my bottom! I'm getting a bit desperate!!! Anyone? xxx

[helenpettigrew]

Hello! At last I have a baby boy and am over the moon with him. He was 7lb 9oz with rather a large head. Born at 11.59 28 Dec.

Thanks for all your supportive messages on this thread - I couldn't have got through those last days without the understanding.

It was a pretty horrible traumatising labour but my son was unharmed by the whole experience, which is more than can be said for his mother!

After those 5 days of horrible and breathtaking contractions my silly cervix had only dilated to 1 measly cm!!! Grrrrrr

They insisted that they induced me as, altho inconclusive, it transpired that my waters may have actually broken well over 48 hours before. While I had no signs of infection I wasn't willing to take the risk of leaving it - and the hospital pretty much insisted on immediate induction. I was put on the syntocin drip and advised that the pain of the artificially intensified contractions after 5 exhausting days of painful contractions with no sleep, not to mention the excruciating pains in my back, would just be too much without. I know I couldn't have done it without as the epidural couldn't get rid of the back pains with each contraction and they were bad enough on their own without feeling them at the front as well. This torture went on for 19 hours and was the most surreal experience of my life. I have a severe needle-phobia and passed out when they put the drip in my hand which upset the baby's heartbeat, then at one point we were rushed into theatre because his heart slowed right down when he bumped his head on my pelvis during a VE. He's a strong little boy and recovered quickly enough for us to avoid a CS. All very scary stuff though. So, then eventually at 10 cm dilated I was told to push although I had no feelings in my legs at all and was up in stirrups. As I was so determined to avoid forceps or ventouse I have never tried to do anything with so much determination. I tore very very badly and the swelling is so bad I still can't sit down! I can now walk again and am beginning to feel better but it's been a real struggle learning to look after a newborn with little or no mobility.

Additionally, the hospital hadn't noticed that I had haemorraged after the birth as they just left me with my crying little boy in our drenched delivery bed, with my paralysed legs, for 7 hours afterwards as they were so busy and I was unable to walk. I have never been so alone and afraid in all my life. My husband had been sent home to rest! It took 2 days of me saying that I felt very faint and ill for them to test my blood count and seeing how low it was they then gave me 2 blood transfusions. Anyway, the nightmare is over and if I had to do it again for my darling boy I would! However, this birth experience makes me seriously question ever having another child.

Thanks again for all your kind thoughts and advice.

Hxxx

[lulalullabye]

Helen, how are you going, do you have a baby yet ???

[JodieG1]

You can refuse induction. My waters went at 22ish weeks with ds2 and I was on bedrest for the duration, they eventually resealed (think hind waters only but was unsure) at about 34 weeks but they still wanted to induce at 37 weeks. I refused and waited then I think they started leaking again at about 38 weeks and they wanted to induce again but I felt it was better to wait. In the end he came at 39+5 when my waters fully went.

He was op an it was the most painful but I only had about 10 mins of gas and air when they tried to put a scalp monitor on (unsuccessfully, tried 5 times) as that was excruciating. He was also op but it was a fast labour, on my notes as 1 hour 20 mins I think but I was having contractions before that. I dilate very quickly but it's also very intense. I really never wanted an epidural so it didn't even cross my mind to have one. It is possible to have an op labour without an epi.

[lulalullabye]

snap sam100, home water birth with dd2 very quick.

[Sam100]

Hi Helen

I had an OP with my first dd - it is slow and very uncomfortable - I was also vomiting every hour and quickly became dehydrated. So had an epidural and syntocinin which in end was bliss as numb from waist down but meant labour very slow and long. Its slow and long as the baby is trying to turn to get into classic face down birthing position - but as the head is not pressing on cervix in all the right places takes longer.

Not sure if it is any help now but you might be able to help your baby move round if you bear hanging around on all fours on the floor - shoulders slightly lower than hips - get all your cushions, pillows etc on the floor and see if you can get comfy. Or wallow in a deep bath on all fours?

Just found the article I read after I had my OP baby! Had much better time next 2 times round - see here.

Good luck - you forget pretty quickly after how long it took!

If it is any consolation then the next 2 were classic birth positions and very quick water births.

[lulalullabye]

long latenet phase is very normal with op babies, and they are usually overdue. All to do with the head not fitting into the cervix and causing constant contractions.

Stick with it and I agree that if you do have to be induced it is not always long. I was induced after 12 days with dd1, same latent phase as you and was in labour for 6hrs with an epidural at 5hrs. You can do it and as whomoved said it is worth it !!

[whomovedmychocolate]

What do you mean you have no choice but to go for induction - sure you do - do you have any signs of infection? If not, why not hold off for twelve hours and see what happens and spend that time walking and trying to do anything but have a baby and who knows.

BTW Latent is:

Long Agonising Trying Exhausting Nauseating Torment

But it does end. And you get a great prize at the end which only screams at you for the first 14 years then ignores you for the next six!

[suzi2]

I'll cross my fingers that things kick off naturally for you.

Technically, you can say No if you want to. Also, why do you have to have an epidural? And they can monitor you while you're standing or lying on your side (wish someone had told me when I had DS!) so don't be bullied onto your back. Also, in the meantime, try to do some things to encourage your baby to shift to anterior. Time on all fours (bum higher than head), lie on your side when you lie down, don't lounge back etc might help.

I do know people who have had OP babies naturally while on their backs - it's not impossible. I had DS while on my back and it was pretty tricky (though he was OA) but even if you could flip onto your knees for the pushing it woul be much easier.

And I know many people who have had labour kick started/sped up for them and haven't found it horrendous.

Encouraging mw's btw ... you being relaxed and not having a lot of fear and worry is the best thing to encourage a natural labour so try not to listen to their negativity.

[Izzybel]

Aww, poor you! Mine was about 2 days, so not even as long as yours, and I was fed up to say the least! DD was also posterior. Ended up having an epidural and it was amazing, pain just went and I was able to sleep, which I had been in too much pain to do so for about three nights! Fingers crossed that baby comes soon. Keep us updated! Good luck!

[lennygirl]

Message withdrawn

[Bluestocking]

Poor you, a long latent phase is really grim, isn't it? I think I'll emulate Meep and not tell you how long my latent labour was until you have your baby in your arms - I don't want to discourage you! Try not to be scared of the epidural - I didn't have one until the very last minute, because like you I was terrified of the very idea, and as soon as it had kicked in I felt so much better. It will all be fine and you will have a gorgeous newborn to snuggle very soon. and keep us posted.

[meep]

don't be terrified of the epidural if you have to have one - I didn't feel a thing and it made my Op labour much more bearable - I could still feel the contractions but they weren't as severe as before.
I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you

[ticks]

lulumama sent me a really useful link - will see if i can find it

[helenpettigrew]

Really useful and encouraging advice, so thanks everyone.

Having been determined to have a natural and active birth (hoping to use a birthing pool etc.) I am now faced with my worst idea of labour.

In short, the midwives now think that my waters broke (hind waters, so just trickling not gushing) yesterday afternoon. I thought it was more of the show (because real labour still hadn't established) but was aware it was very watery.

So they have to augment labour tomorrow to reduce risk of infection to me and the baby. I can't say No. The thought of lying on my back with a OP baby while they continually monitor the baby is filling me with horror! I will have to have an epidural which has always terrified me. They've told me it will definitely be very long and very painful - encouraging! I am almost certain it will end with an emergency CS. Tried to find other threads about OP babies and successful augmentations - but haven't. I still don't know how dilated I am or not (they didn't want to check because of infection risk) - but contractions still irregular.

Any advice?
Hxxxxxxxxxx

[ticks]

hi helen hope things are ok - al my twinges have stopped, am not even thinking about it now. it is really disheartening when you are told there is no movement but it will come out eventually. i was told at one point i was 4cm and then an hour later i was 3! I nearly smacked someone. i ended up having an epidural and i got there in the end. and it won't be an only child - you forget all about it i promise! (until it happens again, and you get filled with dread)

[suzi2]

replied to you on the other thread. basically I had it with DS and DD. Though real labour was no worse really. I saw the mw who attempted a sweep but couldn't find my cervix and DS was not engaged. She told me I had "weeks to go". I went home, cried, contracted, cried some more... went to hospital 12 hours after that and was told that it probably wouldn't be weeks, but nothing was really happening. Went another 12 hours later at 8pm to ask them to stop the false labour as I hadn't slept and couldn't cope. Turns out I was 6cm dilated.

So don't lose hope. It's all doing something.

[mylittleponey]

hope things are going well xxx

[JodieG1]

My waters broke while I was pushing, gushed all over the floor!

[JodieG1]

I had a long latent phase with ds1, was over a week and I was up and down to the hospital thinking it was it when it wasn't. When things got going it was very quick though, about an hour from 1-8 cms, short transition, then 2 hours pushing.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Good luck at the hospital. Breaking your waters may not change anything and may only welcome an infection.

You'll get there, it may not be today or tomorrow - but it will happen.

[meep]

You're not alone - you have my total sympathy! I won't tell you how long my latent phase went on for - it's probably best not to focus in on the hours or you will go mad. Needless to say muy Mum phoned me on day 2 to sing me happy birthday and I threw the phone across the room ! I am also with you on the annoyance of being told I "wasn't in labour" every time I phoned the hospital ! I eventually went in and was given some di-hydrocodeine when I was 1.5cm which meant I couldn't go home - and they let me sleep on an examination bed in one of the triage rooms - not very comfy but I did manage a sort of sleep! Good luck - just remember that you will be meeting your lovely baby soon!

[helenpettigrew]

Poor poor you Ticks - your second OP too.

I think my little one might have to be an only child if this is any indication of a future labour (incidentally, it's been a horrible pregnancy too; throwing up for 9 months - I'm clearly faulty!).

Am ridiculously worried about hosp appt today as scared they will say I'm only 1 cm dilated or something. I thought they'd intervene by now - like breaking my waters. Friends who've gone overdue have had help by day 4 or 5 (eg sweeps etc) but I've had nothing and I'm now 8 days late. Might be because xmas got in the way - or that because it's OP they know that any form of induction is going to be doubly painful.

Like Iliketomove it says - I suppose we have to remember each contraction IS doing something even at this 'early (endless) stage.

Good luck to anyone in the same boat. xxx

[ticks]

Hi Helen my thoughts are so with you. My frst baby was OP and labour felt like it went on for weeks. I felt so useless when I finally went into hospital and they told me I was 1cm. But she eventually popped out with a bit of asistance, although it was quite a long and painful process. My second was due on Sat and like you have had lots of on and off pains, but this baby is also OP. I think it just makes the pains so inconsistent and you feel like you are getting nowhere but it will make an appearance eventually. Fingers crossed for you xx

[helenpettigrew]

very, very tired. Can't sit or lie down so virtually impossible to rest. I have a mw appt today so hopefully she can give me some help.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

How are you feeling today? I hope things are moving along for you. None of the contractions are in vain, they are doing something - even though I am sure it doesn't feel like that!