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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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:
Rose87777 · 22/03/2021 03:25

Sounds exactly the same as my first labour. You have my every sympathy OP it is EXHAUSTING.

I found fixing my eyes on a spot on the wall and counting in for four and out for four helpful through the contractions. Helped me feel in control somehow.

Don’t panic and let fear take over, you can do this!!! Also you may not be far off I went from 2cm - 6cm in only a few hours.

Pol96 · 22/03/2021 08:03

@Cluelessaboutlabour sorry to say but my contractions started and kept going (and getting worse) for 43 hours before they decided to intervene and do an emergency episiotomy and forceps... I got sent home at 2cm but they did a sweep and when I next went in because of the pain they admitted me at 3cm, they broke my waters about 6 hours before they decided to help get him out.. Good luck op, hope its not much longer!

ConnieDobbs · 22/03/2021 08:20

Sorry to hear this. My first Labour started in the same way. Are you able to sleep in the day? I also listened to hypnobirthing and pregnancy relaxation music.

Ps when I finally went into active labour it went very fast

Makingnumber2 · 22/03/2021 12:15

Sorry to hear you got sent home with codeine- I had exactly the same. I know how exhausting it is and how demoralising too when you are checked and told 'only xyz cm'.
I'm really hoping things have properly kicked off for you now and you won't read this for a good while.
TENs did really help me despite the pads sticking on your back.
Also in warm bath with DH running warm/hot shower head onto my lower back was good before I put the TENs on.
I hope you're very close to the end of a straightforward active labour right now x

Sexnotgender · 22/03/2021 13:22

Try and get some rest, you must be utterly exhausted.

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 22/03/2021 15:48

I could cry. Have now been having contractions for 49 hours and they are still refusing to do anything. Just keep saying it’s a normal part of labour. I’m exhausted and contractions are agony now. Send help Sad

OP posts:
HerbalTeaz · 22/03/2021 15:50

Oh dear OP are you still at home? Maybe it’s time to be examined again? Can you not ask to be put in the side room so they can at least give you some gas and air? Brew

CandyLeBonBon · 22/03/2021 15:52

@Cluelessaboutlabour

I could cry. Have now been having contractions for 49 hours and they are still refusing to do anything. Just keep saying it’s a normal part of labour. I’m exhausted and contractions are agony now. Send help Sad
Poor you op xxx
BertieBotts · 22/03/2021 16:10

Gosh you poor thing, my first labour was drawn out like that as well. There comes a point you are just exhausted and need sleep.

Do you know if your baby is/was back to back? That can cause the drawn out first stage. Although it can just be a first baby thing.

When I got to this stage my midwife recommended asking specifically for pethidine in order that I could have a rest. She said they will do that before you're 4cm. I don't know if that's a hospital-specific policy or not, though.

GirlofInkandStars · 22/03/2021 16:59

My utmost sympathy OP I really hope things move along for you soon. Have your waters gone yet? I found things began to progress better after that ( it also made things more comfortable)

GirlofInkandStars · 22/03/2021 17:00

I would also second asking for pethadine. In hindsight I wish I had tried it. I know people where it has relaxed everything enough to start things moving

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 22/03/2021 17:16

I am in hospital, had some Pethodine which was lovely - didn’t take away the pain but allowed me to relax through them at least. They wanted to send me home again overnight but I kicked up enough of a fuss that the consultant has just done a stretch and sweep and is coming round later to break my waters to see if that helps things along. If none of that they will induce me on the drip later this evening. So hopefully things are starting to move! Now to pray for a speedy induction Hmm

OP posts:
HerbalTeaz · 22/03/2021 17:22

Oh good I’m glad you stood your ground. If you end up being induced I really recommend an epidural - it will take the pain away so you can have a nice long sleep before the hard work starts!

Analysethat · 22/03/2021 17:24

Sending positive thoughts over OP. I really hope by this time tomorrow you are holding your little bundle of joy! I’m 34 weeks and dreading this kinda thing happening.

Makingnumber2 · 22/03/2021 18:09

You're doing so brilliantly OP! Long early labour is such an exhausting slog, but I'm glad you got pethidine and also have stood your ground about staying in and not being sent home. I hope they can give you a pethidine top up so you can get some more rest and then once you've had a rest try and keep as active as you can to encourage things to progress quicker. My baby wasn't back to back but I think I was just a slow labourer and I wish I had pushed for stronger meds earlier on to get me through the last stages before waters finally went. Also once you get to 7cm I highly recommend the birthing pool- absolute bliss and you can move into lots of diff positions because you feel relatively weightless!
Hoping to hear your beautiful baby has arrived very soon!!

Sexnotgender · 22/03/2021 18:59

Glad you stood your ground. Hopefully things progress more quickly now Flowers

BertieBotts · 22/03/2021 20:33

Oh that's brilliant - so glad you have a plan to move things along! Good luck and I really hope you're meeting your baby before we all wake up tomorrow!

Wondermule · 23/03/2021 09:14

Hope you’re enjoying newborn cuddles OP! Flowers

Analysethat · 23/03/2021 21:33

@Cluelessaboutlabour

How’s everything going? Has baby made an appearance?

Original poster
Cluelessaboutlabour · 24/03/2021 07:02

Sorry for the delay in updating. I got stuck at 9cm about 14 hours after having water broken and going on the drip so got taken for emergency C-Section yesterday afternoon. Baby boy born just after 3pm yesterday, exactly 72 hours after the first contraction. What a slog, so so happy he’s here

OP posts:
Analysethat · 24/03/2021 07:40

@Cluelessaboutlabour

Oh you poor thing! I’ve got the fear now haha!

Congratulations so happy for you that he is now here! Take care and get plenty of rest! 💐

stairway · 24/03/2021 07:54

That happened to me OP, only I only went to 4 can then back down to 3 again and baby became distressed. This is why midwifes shouldn’t be so dismissive when labour is stop/ starting as it could be a sign something is wrong.

Toottootdrivers · 24/03/2021 08:00

Oh my goodness. I had a 28 hour labour and that was quite long enough!!! Poor you!!!!
I'm so pleased he's here safely. Congratulations!!

Makingnumber2 · 24/03/2021 08:42

Congratulations OP and thanks for the update! So sorry to hear things didn't go as planned but hope you are feeling well and that baby boy is doing well too xx

MinnieMous3 · 24/03/2021 08:45

Congratulations Flowers the process of labour is very beneficial to the baby regardless of how they’re eventually born, so well done for getting through it! Brew