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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Latent labour - losing the will :(

78 replies

Emfrancesca · 01/04/2023 21:50

I’m a FTM and I’ve been in latent labour for over 24hrs now.
I started to get regular strong period like pains on Friday night just before 8pm. Woke up at 3:30am this morning and lost my mucus plug, the pains were coming 3 in 10 mins so I called triage and they said to go in and they will asses me. I was assessed around 4am and was told I’m 2cm dilated, there was quite a bit of length to my cervix but it was still “favourable”. She also gave me a sweep. We came home, I dozed on and off between the pains. They weren’t agony but I still had to concentrate and breathe through them. I’ve had pains all day today, progressively getting more intense but I was still having some that were less painful. I’ve been losing more of my mucus plug all day today as well (who knew there was so much of it?!) and now tonight in the last hour or so they seem to have dropped off, I’m still having them but the time between them is getting further apart and they are less intense.
I’m so frustrated with it, the way I’ve been feeling and how frequent the pains were I really thought I’d be back in the hospital tonight further dilated. Instead it seems to be going the other way!!!
Has anyone else had a similar experience to this? I know we all labour differently but I’m just looking for a glimmer of hope that this isn’t going to go on for days and days, as I really want to avoid being induced, which has already been booked for next Friday.

OP posts:

justmyluck1234 · 03/04/2023 21:03

No advice, just sympathy. I had latent labour with my first and didn't get sleep for almost 4/5days due to the discomfort. I remember when I got to hospital and they gave me some pain relief said I wouldn't feel a thing and it should make me drowsy (I got so excited) and it didn't do a thing for me. Lucky I gave birth the following day (very late in the evening though) and I was absolutely knackered. It's all worth it in the end.

Just keep in touch with midwives and my fingers are crossed it progresses for you very soon. Xx

JauntyJollyfish · 03/04/2023 21:19

If it makes you feel any better my contractions never got regular. We all sat twiddling our thumbs for 8 minutes with my DS nearly crowning because I had a massive gap between my contractions! And when I went in at 6 cm the midwife didn't think I was going to be any where near that dilated because my contractions were still so irregular. So you might be progressing more than you think!

Chompiemompie · 04/04/2023 21:07

Hey OP.
Hope you are doing OK.

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 04/04/2023 21:14

Not much to update on really - had an awful night last night, didn't sleep at all and was having awful irregular painful contractions. My other half helped give me a bath this morning which really helped with the pain and seemed to relax my uterus a lot. He then went out and got me a TENS machine which has been an absolute god send. Even though the contractions are still painful, they are a lot more manageable with the TENS. I've managed to sleep for a little while today as well and hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight, even if it is just for 10/20 mins here and there in between pains.

I think mentally I have come round to the fact my body will do what it needs to do in its own time but I need to relax to allow that to happen, as I have been really stressed about this the last couple of days. Today I have just let go of everything and relaxed, we've done the things I enjoy at home and we have actually laughed together.
Going for another bath shortly - fingers crossed my body is slowly making progress with that last little centimetre so I can get into the delivery suite and have that bloody epidural I'm so desperate for!

OP posts:

Mumma · 04/04/2023 21:32

Ask for induction. I was given a pessary after 24 hours and went from 2 to 8 in 40 mins!

DeoForty · 04/04/2023 23:10

You are doing really well OP. You deserve a medal (and a lovely baby) after this.

I know it's a cliche, but you'll know it's time to go in when you start to feel a bit wired and that you can't think of anything else apart from the contractions. I'm sure you are nearly there.

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 05/04/2023 02:02

Thank you for your encouraging words.
Currently sat on the edge of the bed with the TENS machine going trying to catch a break. Been dozing all night, hoping to go back to sleep soon.
Come on body!!!

OP posts:

octoberfarm · 05/04/2023 03:27

I had this and oh my goodness, it was miserable. But just in case it helps at all, my midwife at the time told me that every contraction I got out of the way (even in latent labor) was one I wouldn't have to do later. My labor itself (once it finally showed up!) was done in 4 hours. He was born 37 minutes after arrived at the hospital You're so nearly there. Just keep swimming. You've got this

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 05/04/2023 03:38

I had this, never progressed, was 2cm after 3 weeks of this. When I couldn't take anymore I ended up going in for an indication, the syntocin stressed baby and ended up an emergency c-section. When my second birth started going the same way I went straight for the c-section.

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 05/04/2023 03:41

Be careful with baths, I fell asleep in one after 2 weeks of labouring most every night. I also fell asleep rocking on a Swiss ball.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 05/04/2023 03:58

My contractions were all over the place with DC3, and I dilated slowly. The only thing that kept the contractions coming was dimming the lights, walking, and nipple stimulation (all three at the same time… I thought my midwife was a lunatic - but she was right, every time I stopped walking or eased off the nipple stimulation, the contractions spaced out again). I also did deep squats during contractions, holding onto the side of the bed.

I must have looked bizarre, but in hindsight my midwife definitely knew what she was doing.

I hope things speed up for you soon!

teezletangler · 05/04/2023 05:23

Oh OP, this is brutal! You're amazing. Are you now 41 weeks? Given that, and that you've had multiple admissions already, if you get to the point where you can't take it anymore they will likely take pity on you and offer you an augmentation (might just be breaking your waters, which would probably ramp things up quickly).

Flittingaboutagain · 05/04/2023 05:50

OP you're nearly there!

Not everyone labours in the text book way of contracting with ever increasing frequency. With both of mine I never had regular contractions until the last hour of labour. It doesn't work like that for all of us. It is perfectly possible to be in latent labour for days then all of a sudden, when your baby is ready, they'll be with you in under two hours because your body has already done the prep the last few days and you'll dilate incredibly quickly.

Unfortunately medical professionals often insist on the frequency of contractions and/or dilation as a measure of how close to delivery you are. This is not reliable for all women! It's also why I refused internal examinations and had a home birth the second time.

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 05/04/2023 06:43

I'm now in the hospital waiting to have my waters broken. Had a pethidine injection and feeling really good.
We came back here at 4am cos my contractions were 3 mins apart and so strong, only to find out I'm still 3cm!!!!
The midwives said enough is enough and gave me options and this is what we've chosen to do.
Hopefully we have our little girl today 🤞🏼

OP posts:

SeaDee · 05/04/2023 06:49

You poor thing! I can't believe this is still going on. Here's hoping it's not long now!

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 05/04/2023 06:55

They think it has something to do with the position of babies head. Instead of her chin being tucked into her chest, it's just ever so slightly forward which is just unlucky. Her back is also on the right side of my belly and not central.

OP posts:

fourhours · 05/04/2023 07:15

Glad you are getting a bit of a break, 🤞🏻 it's today!

RuthTopp · 05/04/2023 07:40

Phew ! At least your now there. Good luck and keep us posted when you can , not long until you have her in your arms.

TokyoSushi · 05/04/2023 07:46

Good luck OP!

bellalou1234 · 05/04/2023 08:27

Goodluck x

BabsDylan · 05/04/2023 12:12

Thinking of you OP,I keep coming to check.

things ramped up for me once my waters broke and they put me on the drip….. I had an epidural then.

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 05/04/2023 14:28

Up in the delivery suite now and just had my waters broken. No painful contractions yet but hopefully things will get going soon without me needing the drip...

OP posts:

Mimilamore · 05/04/2023 19:15

Ho are things? X

FoolsOld · 05/04/2023 19:20

I've been following this all week - fingers crossed for a speedy and pain free labour for you!!

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 05/04/2023 20:48

So I managed to dilate to 4cm by 4pm however I've just had another examination and I'm still only at 4cm - I can't believe it. Baby is in an awkward position which is slowing things down.
Got to go on the hormone drip now for another 4hrs now and then see where we're at.
I'm not allowed to eat and I'm starving, I haven't eaten since 1pm 😢

OP posts:

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