Can labour just stop?!

[HotMayo]

Currently 38+3 first pregnancy, had mild irregular contractions yesterday, got checked at the hospital and they said I was between 1-2 cm dilated with favourable cervix. The midwife gave me a stretch and sweep and after that my plug started to come away immediately, and they sent me home. I lost more of my plug last night at home and then went to bed and went to sleep. Woke up this morning and everything seems to have totally stopped! No more plug (although it could have all come away now), no more contractions, no backache, the occasional very minor twinge but hours apart... Is it normal for everything to just totally stop when it's started? I know when you lose your plug it can still take a while and I know that sweeps don't always work but I didn't realise everything could totally stop when you had several things in combination, i.e. contractions plus started dilating plus lost plug. Again was aware that things could still be slow as first pregnancy but didn't realise they could totally stop. Feeling stuck in limbo.

Yep, labour can start and stop for sure. The clock starts when your waters go, that’s the big one to look out for, or contractions becoming regular (3 in 10 mins for a minute maybe?)

Your body is still doing its thing and things look really positive so just relax, it will crank up again soon.

Good luck!! And make sure you come back and tell us when the baby is here!

@ShirleyPhallus

That's really reassuring! Thank you! I will definitely let you know

I was 3cm for daaaaayyyysss (especially after being forced to do a sweep....) but without proper contractions. So I suppose it can last or maybe even stop. Baby will come when she wants! Or when the doctors really don't want to wait anymore.

First baby? Are you sure it's contractions? Contractions are BAD, not "bad" but "BAD"! Like stop you on your tracks. If you can keep doing wtv then it's not a proper one, it's a BH. And those can be painful.

Early labour can be slow and long and stop start.
Get as much rest as you can now!
And while you’re not resting, walk around or use a birth ball if you have one.
Hot baths will help too. I was told to lay on my side in the bath to help things move along.
Good luck!

My own second labour stopped as soon as I got to hospital. Stayed at 4cm all day and most of the evening.

Mine stopped as soon as my waters broke. It took hours for contractions to start again.

Thank you everyone for the reassurance!

@grey12 yes I'm definitely sure they were contractions, I said the same to the midwife and she said they were definitely contractions and that they aren't always stop you in your tracks type painful for everyone in the early stages, some people don't even notice them apparently! She also said if they were Braxton Hicks then I wouldn't have started dilating becuase apparently even painful BH don't do anything to dilate the cervix :)

What a coincidence...

I too am in the same boat. I am 38 plus 3. Due 18th January. This is our 5th baby.

Since monday early evening, been having spaced out random contractions that have been happening in the evening more than during the day....
The topa of my legs are throbbing and I am waddling like a pregnant penguin.
Everyday, I think that today is the day.
Literally nothing has happened today so far.
However my body does naturally do long labours
My first was 48 hours labour and my 2nd was 48 hours again. Third baby was 36 hours and last baby born 2018 was 32 hours.
Prior to our 1st, 3rd and 4th being born I had two weeks of slow labour with lots of false alarms. So I think I am going through that now.
There is two things that's worked for me. Sweep and sex.
So am hoping maybe sex can get the ball rolling as I am exhausted and fed up with sickness and backache and the pain in between my legs carrying this little madam.

Wish you nothing but the best!

@PopsicleHustler thank you for sharing! It's nice to know that there is someone else in the same boat! :)

I hope things speed up for you soon!

We had sex before things started yesterday so I think that may be something that works for me too then having the sweep and losing my plug as well I thought for sure things would ramp up instead of disappearing! But it seems to be fairly normal so just a waiting game now!

With my first I had 2 nights of mild-moderate contractions (they completely stopped everytime i got up for the day frustratingly!) Then on the 3rd day midwife said i was 3cm and favourable and did a s&s and that got everything going, DS was born early hours of next day. Im sure your baby will be with you very soon, your body's just gearing itself up good luck and rest while you can x

Oxytocin can help your contractions continue so try to relax as much as possible, have a giggle, take a bath, get a massage. The more stressed you get the longer it takes. Things sound like well on their way though, good luck

@hotmayohows things coming along

I am still in the same boat. Contractions in the evening and nothing happening!!!!! Grrrrr. You'd think this being my 5th baby, things would be quicker. But oh no!

@PopsicleHustler still very much the same as you! Irregular contractions for about 4 hours last night but nothing now! So frustrating!

Its extremely frustrating, you're right. I want to do lots of walking and going up and down the stairs today and clean the house from top to bottom. But I have a massive Asda coming in the morning. And cant cancel it as no slots available for a week plus. And also my aunt who is having them , it is her birthday tomorrow and I know it sound silly but I would want her to have a good birthday without running round after my 4 children. But then again she loves having them and us looking forward to it too

Hows things coming along for you ... @hotmayo