Aargh is this the longest latent phase of labour EVER?!?!?

[sushistar]

10 days ago I had a show and started having contractions - strongish ones - every 10 - 15 mins or so. I called my mum put my bag in the car. Contractions stopped. SINCE THEN i have had 3-4 hours of contractions, followed by nothing for a few hours, NON STOP. Midwife says baby's head is 4/5 engaged - I can barely walk! I'm now 40+6. It's all a bit of a nightmare as I'm in no state to look after my very active DS, who is with me full time, but DH can't take indefintae tiome off work or he'll have no leave left for when baby's born.

Booked for a sweep tomorrow. Very pissed off

Don't mind being IN labour, or being overdue - what I can't bear is being sort of half in labour but half not for 10 DAYS!!! Please tell me it will end soon...

Aw bless. I am 37 +2 and having braxton hicks that hurt and have been for ages, and some watery stuff coming out - not neough to be waters though, and not wee. I really feel for you - it's naff waiting and waiting! And the flamin phonecalls - grrrr! Well meaning, yes. Annoying, definately!

I was induced at 14, 8 and 10 days over with my last 3 children, so I am sort of expecting the same again. Sweeps didn't ever work - I had loads. FWIW, all of them had the cord round their necks when born, so it might have been that that was why my body was not going into labour. I did get a show and was 3 cm with DS (number 3) but still had to have the full shebang induction.

Good luck, I am watching this thread with interest.

BTW - The list I collated over the years of ways to bring on labour are (NB - NONE worked ha ha) - hot curry, sex, solo sex (apparently releases endorphins) oral sex (apparently the prostaglandins are more effective if taken orally!!), raspberry leaf tea, homeopathy remedies (cimifuga and caullophyllum), reflexology, castor oil (really - don't it just gives you hideous cramps and squits). Didn't try acupuncture yet - so not sure if that would be the magic one!! Midwife told me sex is definately the best one, and really can work. HAve ot say the 'big hippo with pelvis falling to bits and shattered' does not really make it as appealing as all that....

Still just the same - contractions, but not going anywhere. Damn, I'm SO PISSED OFF!

Oh one more for the list - skipping (i.e. wirh a rope). But wear a pad ahem, pelvic floor.

Sex is way out of the question - as is skipping!?!?! I can see the theory, but I doubt I could get even a cm off the ground! Might get DH to drive at speed over some speed bumps. Drinking lots of raspberry leaf. Tried a curry a few nights ago...

sigh.

It's a lesson in patience.

I'm getting a bit worried cos both midwives I've seen (and everyone on here) keeps saying 'Ah, but when it does happen it'll be QUICK'... BUt DH's sister will be coming to look after DS, and she's half an hour away. If it comes TOO quick we may have a situation on our hands! Especially as I have felt like 'this is it' so many times now I think it will have to be quite far along vefore I actually believe it's not going to fizzle out like it has all the other times.

Any news today sushistar? Were you planning a home birth for this one?

oh sushi - hope you are havingyour baby but if not i had a sweep with DD and labour kicked off 2 hours later with DD arriving 7 hours after that

Hi sushi. Yes, try driving over big bumps. Or jump on a trampoline?? Adn I also forgot to add clary sage essential oil - put in the bath or a burner (I HATE the smell mind) and take evening primrose oil capsules. I think that is my list - have tried them all, none worked (for me - but loads of people swore by one or the other to me).

Feel really bad for you, and I hope you're off having your little bundle right now! (Get lots fo towels and blankets ready just in case you need to do a DIY job at home...

Fingers crossed all is well. Have been lurking.

I am on tenterhooks. Did the sweep set things going (I'd be amazed if not with it being second baby and 4cm to boot). Did you labour quickly once your waters had broken? Please don't tell me you are still waiting!!

Hellooooo...

So, sweep was Monday 3:30pm. Waters broke Tue 6am. Baby born Tue 8:10am!!! Considering my 30 hr labour with DS1 it was a surprise, but SO easy compared to last time, straight afterwards I felt like having more children!

It was a bit of a race to get to the hospital in time. He was huge - 9lb13 - and the cord was around his neck (so perhaps that was why he took so long) but it didn't cause any problems. And I was so relieved to have him out, and lost very little blood (unlike last time) that I really felt much better AFTER the birth than BEFORE!

Thanks all for your kindness - and that yours has arrived too yangymac?

Congratulations I wonder if the cord around the neck does have an affect on stop start labours

Fantastic news, congratulations!!!! Now hoping mine will arrive just as quickly. Have started some serious nesting today so hope won't be long.
Congratulations again!!!!

huge congratulations!

fab news

Congratulations!!!