Labouring for 'days', and only 1 cm dilated!!!!! (long but a bit funny)

[deegward]

Sorry I just had to get this off my chest. I am due on the 27th - so why the message you all say!, Well ever since last Monday, I have had contractions on and off, fine you say, then last night it went all night, with them coming every 5 mins.

WE got up put ds to neighbour across road, still labouring away, drove in rush hour to hosp, still labouring away, arrived at hosp, no parking place outside delivery suite had to wait on dh while he parked car, still labouring away, went upto ward.....midwife did internal and yes you've got there before me (I know the title of the message gavet he punch line) only 1 BL*y cm dilated. AND to cap it all it all stopped. We came home with me in tears, and it has started up again.

This time I am NOT going near the hosp until I can stroke my baby's hair myself when I feel below.

Have eaten pineapple, and drunk lots of raspberry tea today. I know it will come when it is ready, but I am really p*ed off.

Poor you, know how you feel, I was the same for, sorry to say this about 4 weeks on and off but each it happened to me i got to 4cms. Eventually gave birth 1 week early and labour wsa only 4 hours, after my waters were broken! I had an irritable uterus, tried everything to get it going and then bam i was off, so to speak! It is horrible at the time but am wishing you the best of luck and would say trust your instincts.

Deegward - this is the normal start to labour. What you describe is prelabour. That is not to say these contractions are not sore - they are. At this stage though they are softening and thinning the cervix in preparation to dilate.
Tyr a warm bath and 2 paracetamol. You might find they will stop and start for a few days. Try not to get despondent but think of all this activity as positive. Stay away from the hospital as long as you can. Keep eating small snacks even if you do not feel hungry. Lie down for a nap whenever you can to make sure you are not exhausted by the time labour starts in earnest. Think positive thoughts - this baby will be coming soon. How exciting

oh deegward, poor you! mears' advice sounds v sensible. put on your favourite music and relax and get someone to rub your back, or give you a head massage or something. love bundle x

So frustrating, isn't it? Good luck deegward - hope things speed up soon (if they haven't already).

You must feel so frustrated! Good luck! Hope you're giving birth at the moment. I had it myself on ds's birth last January. Had contractions all day (every 3 - 5 mins) on Sunday until my two best friends (both nurses!) came by to see how I was. A quarter of an hour later my contractions were gone completely! I have never been more p**d off in my life! Didn't sleep at all that night. If it is any consolation ds was born 2 days later. Hope yours comes soon too! Again, good luck! V. soon you'll be holding a beautiful baby in your arms. 'Keep up the good work' and let us know soon how you went on! I think I don't speak for myself only if I say my thoughts are with you.

I've heard - though I can't swear to it - that nipple stimulation helps get things going!

Anyway, if things drag on try to calm yourself with the fact that better to spend days at 1cm than days at 8cms!

Both times for me, my contractions started around a week before I went into labour. They were however generally around 20 - 30 mins apart and subsided at times. Then, both times as soon as my waters broke, all hell broke less with intensely painful contractions around 2 - 3 mins apart and very rapid deliveries.

Thanks to all for the encouragement.

It gets better..... Had a brilliant nights sleep last night. Really good neighbour offered to take ds out to Playdome for the morning so that I could do as you all suggest.. rest for the inevitable. Ds left at 10am, at 10.05 sat there with cup of raspberry tea, tv etc. Door bell goes and its the neighbour from across the street. Got rid of her at 12 only for ds to come back at 12.05, tried everything from saying neighbour taken ds so that I can rest, I'm really tired etc.

Never mind, little mild things going on just now, taken 2 paracemetol and just hanging in there. I mean it has to be here by Easter! Thanks again to all, will keep you posted