Can someone explain what latent Labour is like?

[Ros2023]

Im 40 weeks pregnant and think I am in latent Labour. I’ve been having on and off period pains for 2 or 3 days and lots of irregular contractions. Some can be quite painful whereas others aren’t as bad. These symptoms are worse when I’m on my feet and walking around etc.
has anyone else experienced this and then things have become more regular and intense?
I keep thinking that this is it then I go to bed and nothing seems to come of it. So annoying!

I had it with my 2nd. So it felt like labour was starting every evening, but then wouldn’t catch. When I woke up in the morning it had stopped again. Had it every evening for a week and then my doula gave something (I forget what it was, maybe homeopathic? Or clary sage?) and then it kept going.

It’s so frustrating! I’ve read it can go on for a while. It’s the not knowing isn’t it. I have some clary sage that I’ve been smelling on some tissue. Can you remember if you burned it or rubbed it on your belly or anything? I’m wondering if that makes any difference

Hey, both times my contractions have stopped and started. First time, my contractions started on a Saturday morning. Stopped for like 7 hours and began again into Sunday noon. They then started 6 hours later and became the real deal. Second time round , they started and stopped for few hours and then restarted. You’ll know it’s real when they’re more frequent (so starting off as every 20 mins and then gradually every 7
mins or so and they tend to last same length too) . It is bad period pain but way more painful. Good luck hope everything goes well.

I had it for 3 nights, really intense contractions all night, using my TENs machine etc. but by 6am it would all fizzle out. Where are you feeling the pain? Mine was all in my back and the contractions would couple (2 back to back and then a break) which are signs of an OP baby. This is what was holding me back, poor fetal position. So I spent a lot of time doing the spinning babies exercises and rebozo. Didn't work for me but worth a shot in case that's what's holding you back maybe. Good luck x

I’ve still not had a baby! Haha. I have period pain in my lower belly and back and still very random irregular contractions. I’m booked for a stretch and sweep tomorrow which I feel a little nervous about as I didn’t have one with my previous 2 pregnancies.
im well and truly fed up but she will soon be here!
thanks everyone 💕

I swore by my breast pump- pumped for 15 mins a few times and the Brixton hicks got more intense and went into proper labour through the night
good luck!

I KNOW THIS IS AN OLD THREAD!

But I've had a Google and OP this is exactly where I'm out now 😐😐

If you're still there, can I ask what happened in the end? Did the sweep work? I've been offered a sweep at my next MW appointment on Friday and in tempted tbh, getting fed up and everything has wound down yet again today.

The stretch and sweep didn’t work for me. I was so hopeful! I was booked in for another sweep 5 days after but didn’t make it because I went into Labour that day. I tried everything to get her out but I guess she just came when she was ready 💕 now have a very chubby, hilarious 4 month old.
I feel for you. I kept thinking things were starting then they’d stop again. I cried for about a week every day because I was so fed up. You’re nearly there though! Not much longer!

Thank you so much, and congratulations!

Every day is an absolute slog at the moment but I hope she's at least moving in the right direction.

How are you doing? Any news?