Pre-labour/labour?

[SuseB]

I'm pg with second baby, 38+3. Booked for home delivery. Last night had the midwife out at 2am because I'd had an hour of regular contractions (previous labour was only 5.5hrs start to finish). By the time she arrived things had slowed down and on examination she found cervix half-effaced and 2-3cm dilated. She did a sweep and went home.

Does anyone have any experience of how long I might be sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for things to kick off properly? Is tedious because have childcare sorted and DH home from work... should we carry on as normal or hang around waiting?

Have fresh pineapple being delivered by Tescos in half an hour, and we're off out for a walk after that - would welcome any other suggestions!

How long is a piece of string?

Not much help, but I've had pre labours go on for 2 weeks!

I've been 2cm dilated and half effaced for 2 weeks!! blah! Though I was having baby a week ago now still waiting, due date was monday

I've given up trying all usual stuff, just sleeping as much as I can and playing death match with DP on Call of Duty 4!

Acupuncture.... I bang on about it all the time - it's brilliant and saved me a second induction.

black bean sauce?? thats a new one on me!! Done the rest!!

i've heard that evening primrose oil is wuposted to help have a look here

I thought my baby was coming at 38 wks! Now 11 days overdue had a sweep yesterday and regular contractions every 10 mins for 3 hours last night. They were not very painful and I'm now sat at home with bad period pains praying something happens tonight or I'm being induced tomorrow!!!
I just think you have to wait and let nature take its course! When the baby is ready it will come or in my case....?.!

I thought my baby was coming at 38 wks! Now 11 days overdue had a sweep yesterday and regular contractions every 10 mins for 3 hours last night. They were not very painful and I'm now sat at home with bad period pains praying something happens tonight or I'm being induced tomorrow!!!
I just think you have to wait and let nature take its course! When the baby is ready it will come or in my case....?.!

Update to the above: all went quiet all day on Wednesday. Then Thursday morning had a show, and contractions started up again, still mildish but more than before. Had contractions all day, called midwives out again around lunchtime and they came and hung out with us for a while, but by evening, despite plenty of walking around and eating and drinking etc things had tailed off again, so slept all night with no contractions, and not much going on this morning either. Waters not broken so no 'countdown' but I am getting a bit frustrated now! Anyone any further thoughts?

Quick update: DS born Sat am after a three-hour labour at home in the pool - was obviously working up to the main event...

oh lovely news, hope you and ds doing well

well done!