period type pain phase of labour

[thislittlesisterlola]

how long does the period pain right down there pain phase last in early labour. Rung labour ward seems i could be in labour- am 39+4 op and have all the contraction symptoms. No show no broken waters. Just wondered when the pains get worse? This has been building since 2pm. The contractions are between 5 and 15 mins apart max and 1 min long. They are definitely getting more intense but i feel ok. I want to poo but I cant seem to sorry tmi. Is it normal to feel pressure/ the contractions in my bum too? Sorry first timer i know nothing!

Er...bit of advise, don't try and go for a poo! I had period pains with not too bad contractions, also needed a poo. MW came round, turned out to be 9cm dil. It was a relief when the MW said I could finally push out that poo...er....baby

Good luck and enjoy!

Oh I had had a show that morning tho, although waters didn't go until I was pushing...or is it breathing baby out.

Ah I see- might not go for pooing option then

On the birthing ball hoping something progresses soon.

sorry cant concentrate too well.

i am in the same position - have been having increasingly painful crampy contractions and cervical pain for 30 hours now (sorry!). Apparently I am still in the latent phase and it can often last for days...this has never been mentioned to me before!

They range from 5 - 7 minutes apart and are getting longer and more painful - am up to 50 seconds now.

i don't hold out much hope for anything more happening over the next 24 hours. Sorry I cant be more encouraging! Going for a walk chivvies things along and speeds it up, but then I got told not to tire myself out. I also got told to take TENS machine off.

hey haggis kind of dying down now my end too. Confusing- i havent heard of this latent phase either. I just got my head round the fact something was starting hope real labour starts soon for you.

Good luck both of you!

I'm almost 39 weeks (DC3) and I have been having period type back and abdo pain for quite a few days although it does come and go.

Most disconcerting is the pressure and sharp cervix pain which I have been having loads of. Feels like baby is about to headbutt his way out.

And yes, its normal to feel pressure in your bum too!

This is all new to me as my other 2 births were swift with absolutely no warning or build up cramping (1 induced, 1 spontaneous) and with not even a show or waters breaking.

I had 3 days in latent labour, which was horrible. BUT I was only 4 hours when it finally hit and it never hurt that appallingly - just waterpool and gas and air needed.

This might sound grim, but it helps if peeing starts to be agony on a loo if you pee on all fours over a tupperware container. It's the baby being so very low that is causing it to hurt so much, and that position stops that.

My waters broke when I pooed! On a loo though. I wouldn't poo into tupperware.

I got through the latent phase with DVD boxed sets of House. It's not fun, but it does end - eventually. And the baby is fun!

"it" being active labour.

Oh thank you for your replies - you have mde me feel much better! I was begining to think I was going mad, having never heard of the latent phase lasting this long. really annoying that they never mentioned it in the NCT clases, or at any of my midwives appointments! I had heard that it can make the next bit of labour quicker, as you have said confuzled. I am hoping for water and gas and air, too. Did you find the contractions got much more painful than the latent phase? Mine are bloody killing me - can't talk, have to puff and quietly chant 'feck, feck feck' to myself at the moment!

May have to try the peeing on all fours thing as it is starting to be really sore to wee. Keep hoping to have a show or waters breaking eerytime I go to the toilet!

Poor huby, too - its really hard for him not be able to help. Have told him to go to work tomorrow as I don't think it will happen much faster tomorrow and odn't want him wasting paternity leave.

Hope yours pick up again soon littlesisterlola - mine have been coming and going in regularity for 36 hours now.

Willl post again tomorrow and any other tales of long latent period would be much appreciated for reassurance!

They weren't worse than the very worst latent ones, no, and the adrenaline kicks in. And a hospital water pool is not like a bath, it is HUGE and you can float and wallow like a whale! Make sure someone keeps an eye on water temp though - too hot is not good for the baby, but you'll want it hotter as pain relief and the gas and air made me too stoned to remember about the temp. Get your birthing partner to do the elbow test regularly.

I was in a fair bit of pain because they came closer together by the time I went into the pool, and bizarrely it took all the pain away at once. I think the drag of your bodyweight makes them hurt more, maybe? Then it started to hurt so I started with the gas and air, and that worked completely. I was vaguely aware that I was just one step away from the pain, but I stayed that one step away all through. I did ignore them telling me one puff in three, though - I sucked on the g & a constantly when the contractions started!

If you have any ice in, take it with you in a freezer bag or eskie? It's nice to suck on in the pool.

Good luck! You'll meet him or her really soon now - so exciting!

Oh - and sex is alleged to help speed things up. Prostaglandins in the semen on the cervix. You never felt less in the mood, I know, but thought I'd pass on my own midwife's suggestion.

Yep, tried that and managed to aggravate thrush - not good right as I am going into labour!

Thank you confuzled - you have made me feel so much more reassured! Hope we have reassured OP as well. and I also desperately hope the birthing pool is available...fingers crossed! Congratulations on yor birth.

Oh no! You poor woman. (Pregnancy thrush, God, that was one of the things I'd managed to forget, now we want number 2!)

I was in "latent labour" for about 3 days too. Not that it "counts" as real labour when other competitive mums ask you afterwards ;)

Anyways, I was bouncing and rolling around on the ball for 2 nights, went for a sweep on the thurs afternoon and was in full labour on the friday morning! 1 week overdue.

I actually was given drugs to slow down labour since I have group b strep so needed 3 hrs of IV antibiotics and by the time we got to labour ward I was 10cm dialiate! I was 1st timer too so had no idea how painful it was meant to get before phoning in. Was on the floor unable to get up when hubby got home from work n took us off to hospital!!! Yikes.

Anyway, there u go. Mine lasted 3 days n then LO attempted to arrive super fast so who knows.

And no. I was not told about latent labour either!!!

I'll keep an eye on the thread - update when the baby arrives?

Good luck, and I hope you have a lovely, easy labour once it becomes active. I was told a long latent phase can help that happen as well. Was true for me, and I hope it is for you both.

Wait a minute! Has littlesisterlola gone into labour then??? Best of luck if you have!

hi all managed to write a message inbetween cs and phone deleted it! On ball rocking away pain more intense. Drinking water and chocolate milkshake- not at the same time. Cs 5- 7 mins apart. Had this weird sleep but not actually asleep painful rest. Rang the ward again just waiting til the pain gets worse or waters break. Definitely want to see a mw today just so i know baby is ok. Am rather anxious. I really did not know how much pressure would be in bum as well. Hope you're ok haggis. Anyone got any ideas for moving this baby along? thank you all for your lovely replies

p.s sex is what started this labour thing off. Dp thinks he has super sperm whatever keeps him amused i guess.

also confuzled the weeing in tupperware- such a good idea, thought it was just me with painful toilet trips. Still want to poo though and i cant

Still here!
Bit fed up tbh. CS coming every 5/ 10 mins. been for a walk,
had a bath- contracted in the bath.
bouncing on the ball.
walking up and down the stairs.
This is going to be a slow burner isnt it?
I can just about deal with the pains but mw said can go in and be assessed or wait it out.
Anyone got any ideas?

Maybe just pop into hospital for assessment if its not too much hassle?

You may be pleasantly surprised and if nothing else it will break up the day a bit?

To be honest, theres not a lot else you can do I dont think, other than what you are already doing in keeping active.

Hope it all happens for you soon! All the best!

thanks willow will be going to get assessed this afternoon. Maybe something is happening but who knows. Will update later

Distract yourself as long as possible. Going in to hospital wont make things go any faster, its just more boring and more likely to offer you drugs etc (if you are trying to avoid, this can be annoying).
Get a friend round or go to the park or something.
Fast circles on the birth ball.
And have a nap if you're knackered!
Selina