So I'm in the latent phase so far....

[knockedup]

I'm almost 39 weeks. Went into labour ward today for monitoring as woke up at 5.30am with the most horrendous stitch down my left side (had it on Thursday too but it wasn't as bad as todays)

They put me on the monitor and I just thought I was being silly for bothering them, but then midwife came in looked at my trace and asked if I could feel the contractions! She then examined me and I was 1cm, told me I was in the latent phase and just to go home and monitor things.

Am now at home with lower back ache and mild contractions and playing the waiting game. Waters haven't gone yet - does anyone know how long the latent phase can go on for?

With DD1 my waters broke at midnight after a sweep 12 days overdue - and I was 8cms by 6pm that night!

I did 11 hours of excruciating contractions last night which dissipated at 5am. Am now having mild contractions again so it can go on for ages! This is my first and I am 40+3. It's horrid isn't it?

I believe several weeks is the longest I've heard of. Sorry that's not what you wanted to hear.

But in your case, hopefully you will have a great father's day present ready for tomorrow morning. Sideways up and down the stairs if you can.

Message withdrawn

Hey knockedup howya doin'? "Latent phase" is not a good phrase to an expectant mum is it? "Just get it out"!!

To answer your question, I don't know how long the latent phase can go on for, some time I think. As whomovedmychocolate said possibly some time. But look on the bright side, possibly not days, possibly things will move very quickly now. Given the choice would you rather be in the latent phase, or that nothing had started happening yet? It's all one step closer to the end game. Can you look on it as good practice for when labour starts in earnest? Easy to say from my end I know, it's just so frustrating isn't it?

I hope the baby stuff is down from the loft now

lots of hot steamy baths or showers, moving about, squatting, rubbing the ball of your big toe quite hard and rubbing in between finger and thumb quite hard (the pressure points work best if you do them during a contraction to intensify it)

best thing you can do though is sleep if your able... your body needs the rest and if things are going to happen they'll keep happening whether you're awake or asleep.

I think I was in the latent phase for 4 or 5 days. But in my case the MWs were totally right when they said a long latent phase often precedes a fairly fast labour - DD appeared within about 7 hours once active labour started (she was finally born at 10 days over and was my first).

If you can't feel the contractions be glad and get all the rest you can. Fingers crossed for a good birth for you

Thanks everyone - certainly no signs of anything happening at the moment - some pain in the night, intermittent pain now with back ache. Just keep dosing up on paracetamol. Am going to try some manipulation methods I think....but that sounds good long latent phase, short labour! Thank God this is almost over!

Good luck everyone - will stay in touch

Lol stripeysails - nope DH STILL hasn't gone up in the loft - are we in denial or what? Unless he's expecting me to clamber up there also realised I have no hats for the baby and knowing how fond babies are of hats am I letting ours down?? It's so hot now though I'm sure it'll be fine won't it?

Just reading my notes to see what they put about me yesterday, and the midwife who examined me has put baby's head as -1. So am I being stupid or does that mean that when talking in fifths you can go all the way to 5 and then go beyond that as in head coming out now? Or am I just being daft....how many fifths could your fanjo have - like, is head out -5

Think I'm whittering nervously now. I'll just go back to my OK magazine!

i think -1 means 1/5 engaged, which means the baby is dropping down into the pelvis....... although my mommy brain can't really remember as far back as 2 years ago so maybe not!