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Original poster

Labour stalled after 12 hours of regular contractions?

53 replies

Cluelessaboutlabour · 21/03/2021 10:36

Hi all, I’m a FTM and I’m 40 + 3.

I lost mucus plug on Friday at 40 + 1, contractions started Saturday at 3pm. Weren’t too bad initially, by 9pm they were between 3-5 minutes apart, 1 minute long and enough to keep me awake all night.

Now they seem to have totally stalled, coming anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes apart. Is this normal?

Anything I should be doing?

OP posts:
GirlofInkandStars · 21/03/2021 10:45

Have you called your midwife yet?

GirlofInkandStars · 21/03/2021 10:46

sorry posted too soon. I would ring the labour ward/midwife for advice and then try and get some sleep.

Raindancer411 · 21/03/2021 10:47

Rather than ask on here, I would be calling your triage or midwife :)

Makingnumber2 · 21/03/2021 13:45

Hey hate to say it but I had a 3 day latent labour with my first. Contractions would ramp up all night and as soon as morning hit they would die off. We made a lot of late night trips to the hospital and were sent back every time. Eventually after 3 days my water broke at 9.30am and then I was finally admitted to birth centre.
Hope things pick up again soon for you. Keep things chilled, dark and as relaxed as you can to encourage labour to continue and not stall.

ConnieDobbs · 21/03/2021 13:50

Sounds normal to me, unfortunately. Make sure your hospital bag is packed and try to rest as much as possible. Sleep if you can. Good luck!

physicskate · 21/03/2021 16:05

Rest and eat!!! But keep in touch with mw/ triage/ labour and delivery.

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 21/03/2021 16:22

Thanks all, they have picked back up to 7-10 minutes and very painful now. Spoke with labour ward who said to stay at home till they are 3 minutes apart. Struggling with the pain though

OP posts:
GoWalkabout · 21/03/2021 16:23

Ah, you've got one that doesn't like change Smile mine were like this. What got things started again for me was doing a visualisation of the birth going well, having a stern word with myself and the baby to relax, and it was going to be OK, and we got going. Good luck for everything x

Wondermule · 21/03/2021 16:27

Hang on in there OP, you can always have an epidural or some painkillers when you get to the hospital Smile good luck!

Makingnumber2 · 21/03/2021 16:31

Have you got a tens machine? Or know anyone who could lend you one? Mine was lifesaver at this point of labour- especially when you're so knackered. Also highly recommend carb loading... I ate v small amounts but frequently of plain , cooked wholegrain penne when I felt I could. I was v thankful I had done this.
Good luck and hope things keep progressing.
Don't forget: your contractions cannot overwhelm you because they are you and each one brings you closer to meeting your baby. These were my 2 fave affirmations from early labour.
Also if things feel too much count to ten or get partner to count to ten whilst you breathe, then start again until it has passed. You can get through the next 10 seconds.

Muststopeating · 21/03/2021 16:37

Good luck! Are you quite close to the hospital?

Try a warm/hot shower, heat pack/hot water bottle on your back, if you've got a tens machine get it on now. The two things that helped me was moving to a different position when a contraction started and focusing on something like a water bottle and reading the labels / reading number plates in the car. Very random but the distraction seemed to help!

Stay at home for as long as you can cos honestly its comfier, easier to move around etc. But remember that if you really aren't coping with the pain then call back and tell them that you need to come in sooner because you need pain relief.

You can take paracetemol at home, i haven't tried it but might help?

Good luck!! You CAN do this!

stairway · 21/03/2021 16:40

I had a stop start labour first time round. It did end up o in a c section though as baby couldn’t hack it. I’d want to be in hospital being monitored if I was you.

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 21/03/2021 16:56

15 minutes from the hospital @Muststopeating. Just took some paracetamol and will try a bath/shower shortly

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 21/03/2021 16:58

Thanks @Makingnumber2, no TENS machine and not sure where I’d get one at this point. But I’ve been repeating your affirmations Smile

OP posts:
sylbunny · 21/03/2021 17:47

Sounds like early labour. Try and relax and rest as much as possible - stress can cause things to slow down. It should ramp up again over night. I had this for 4 days before I eventually went in to full labour but if you are struggling with the pain please insist that triage see you and give you some painkillers. They are far too dismiss of how painful early labour can be.

Wondermule · 21/03/2021 18:02

If it’s actually painful OP, as in takes your breath away pain, then I would hazard a guess it’s active labour. If your local hospital is close why not pop in and have them check you?

Makingnumber2 · 21/03/2021 20:05

@Cluelessaboutlabour hope you're getting on ok.
If you're still going stop start tomorrow morning then Boots sell TENs machines- maybe send DP down on a click and collect?
I've also read about clutching a comb during contractions works on the same principle as the TENs- just a much more traditional and less modern method! So perhaps give it a go? Essentially it's a pain distraction from contraction pain.
Hope the affirmations help- your body is doing amazing work right now and you are doing wonderfully too!

BertieBotts · 21/03/2021 20:10

This is called prodromal labour or latent stages. It can be exhausting - so try and conserve your strength and (as you've found) don't get all excited thinking it means baby is coming as that could be days off.

As hospital is close there is no harm in going up to the ward to get checked out. Just be prepared to be sent home and told to take paracetamol and have a bath! :o

If you want to get things moving, a walk, a bounce on a birth/yoga ball or sideways walking up and down stairs is supposed to help!

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 21/03/2021 20:22

We’re on our way in now just to be checked out. I’m struggling with managing the pain at home now. Fully expecting to be sent home again but keep your fingers crossed for me!

OP posts:
Analysethat · 21/03/2021 20:26

Keep us updated OP - I’m following with interest.

Wondermule · 21/03/2021 20:34

If you feel you need to be in hospital OP, please insist upon staying. And make sure they examine you, don’t get fobbed off - people who get fobbed off usually end up giving birth in lay-bys.

Wondermule · 21/03/2021 20:35

Btw you can always ask to take a bath when you get there - practically every corridor had a bath in my maternity ward! It might be a good compromise if they feel you’re not quite ready for Labour ward yet.

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 22/03/2021 02:05

Was 2cm so sent home with some codeine which hasn’t even touched the sides.

@Makingnumber2, does the tens still work if the pain is mostly in the front rather than back pains?

I’m honestly not sure how to cope with this much longer, I’ve been contracting for 29 hours and haven’t slept since Friday night. Sorry to moan but feeling very fed up with it all

OP posts:
Wondermule · 22/03/2021 03:00

Oh bless you, I had a week long induction so remember the exhaustion very well 🥴

Wait for the codeine to kick in and see how you feel, if it’s not bearable I would insist upon more painkillers, could they give you a shot of pethidine at this stage? All being well you’ll get some progress soon and this will all be over!!

Stopsnowing · 22/03/2021 03:10

When not resting keep walking

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