Help! First time mum in labour since 3am but it all seems to have stalled...

[justanothermummy2b]

Looking for some help from other mums on how to get labour going again. My waters broke at 3am and I started having contractions about 6-7 minutes apart. Went to the at 6am hospital and they confirmed waters had gone and that I was in early labour - said my cervix was still closed. They booked me in for an induction tomorrow (standard procedure I was told) and sent me home at 9am to see how things progressed. MW at hospital seemed confident I'd be back there this afternoon. But I haven't had a contraction for the past hour or two and it all seems to have stopped

I've been fairly positive and cheerful about the situation all day, spent some time relaxing in the sunshine, making sure I moved around, cleaned up the house a bit to keep active and went for a walk with DH. Contractions have been fairly constant in intensity either occurring between 6-7min or - at the most - 15min apart lasting 50/70seconds, they're a bit ouch but nothing I haven't been able to handle by breathing through.

I started to get a bit concerned that things hadn't really progressed much a few hours ago so had a bath to try and relax and then just had a small snooze but am now worried that everything seems to have stopped and am feeling a bit upset. I really don't want an induction tomorrow.

DH says I should go and have a sleep and take advantage of the lull in activity, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't be doing something to make the contractions start again? I'm stressing myself out (which I know isn't helping!). Advice please!

Hi,

Bath before you are 4cm generally stalls labour. I would agree with what your dh says, go to sleep, rest tonight. Tomorrow could be a long and exciting day. After a sleep, and feeling refreshed is the time to get moving and getting the contractions going again. You never know the contractions might start up again while you sleep.

I remember my first birth, I had had contractions all day, but no progress, I was tired so went to bed. I lay down went into a deep sleep and woke up with an enormous contraction. I thought I had been asleep for hours, but it was in reality only about 5 mins. Contractions came thick and strong from that point on, I think that the total deep sleep for those few minutes really helped me get through the next very long day.

I hope you manage to get some sleep and enjoy meeting your baby very soon.

Can't give you any advice. As I got induced with my first one.

But as your DH says, try to relax and get some sleep. You will need the energy for when baby makes his/her way.

Keep us posted.

Good luck

Thanks ladies! I've now been in labour for 24hours and no progress so guess I am going to have to resign myself to being induced today. Contractions did start up again once I got into bed but - although they feel strong and they are regular - I am only having two an hour. I don't see this progressing to the requisite 3 every 10 minutes by the time I have to go back to the hospital later this morning. I stupidly really thought if I did everything 'right' I'd be able to manage a purely natural, non-medicated birth. I guess I need to look on the bright side, I'm fairly well rested as I managed to sleep between contractions all night and in the next 24 hours (hopefully) I'll get to hold my baby.

It is good you got some rest. I hope you will update this thread later.

If you are awake now then something light to eat and try walking and moving around a bit. Think lovely thoughts of holding your baby later today.

You can still ask to be active during an induction depending on how they induce you

Good luck for today

If you are contracting regularly, strongly and effectively (ie you're dilating) you can ask them to hold off induction because you're in early labour, it's just taking time. They may be happy to do that for a bit.

Have they discussed with you what will happen during induction?

Thanks Nom - contractions seem to have slowed to a stop overnight so I guess the induction looks like it is going to happen. They told me it would depend on how I was doing as to how they would induce me, calling the hospital in a bit so we'll see what happens then!

You can also ask to wait for say 48 hours. Get them to explain the reason they want to be induced but also what happens if you ask to wait 12 or 24 hours. Risk normally include infection so the less hands up your fango the better.
I know someone who waited month after waters breaking. What ever you decided to do you can still have a wonderful birth even if it isn't how you first thought it would be