How long were you in ‘early’ labour?

[Catlady2202]

If you even went through it first! I’ve been having period type pains for the last 2-3 days (I was only 1cm dilated on Wednesday and they did a sweep)…. They are painful cramps but I can still talk through them although they do make me grimace. I just didn’t think it would take this long before ‘established’ labour ramps up. Don’t get me wrong I’m terrified for the ‘real’ pains to start but I’m just worried my body isn’t progressing. I’ve booked an induction next week (I’m 3 days late now) but anyone’s experiences would be great to hear - I know it varies greatly

4 days with DD1 - was up with cramps every night and then nothing during the day. Was completely exhausted and when I asked for a sweep on day 5 (actually had gone in to decline an induction) they said I was at 4cm to my complete surprise! She was born 24hrs later.

About 12 hours with DD2 - cramps from 10am, then properly laboured through the night and she was born 10am the next morning.

I know it completely sucks not knowing when the real thing will start. Try to ignore it as much as you can, go about your normal life stay fueled and hydrated - with any luck baby will arrive soon :)

A week with my fourth but it was kind of self induced. I’d been having sweeps to try and get things going because dc3 was huge. I was booked in on my due date for an induction so was trying to avoid that if possible. I had him in the morning if my due date. It’s exhausting you have my sympathies!! X

3 days of start stop and ended up with the drip because my water's had been leaking for too long but actual labour was very fast. I know everyone is different but I actually thing those cramps are doing a great job at preparing your body.
Everyone says this but get moving!!! Go for a long walk, get down on your hands and knees, squat/get on a birthing ball. Really speeds it up

8 days with my first baby and 4 with my second,
my first I was sure every single day was THE DAY for the last week or so!

A week, my one labour. I didn’t know latent labour was a thing. It was exhausting, though I probably prolonged it by spending hours in the bath whereas the midwife told me to go for long walks to get things moving.
Then 10 hours from reaching 4cm to baby.
The worst thing was they gave me a sleeping pill on the last night, because pain every 20 mins had meant no real sleep for a couple of days, and this led to very sleepy baby who struggled to feed for days which was all very stressful. Got there in the end thanks to wonderful bf counsellor but wish I had just held on!
Hang in there, it will be soon now whatever.

I walked around with each of my children until just before the pushing stage, it speeded everything up. It’s different for everyone so do what’s comfortable for you, walking does take your mind off it though.

About 12 hours with DC2. Kept moving by taking DC1 to softplay and then to the big Christmas shop at Sainsbury's. The moving around definitely helped. Worst bit was the drive home from the shop taking about 50 minutes instead of the usual ten because of the time of year. Sitting in the car was far more painful than walking.

12 hours with second, around 2 days with first. I agree with pp’s that walking helps massively, it not only helps get things going but can be a great distraction

with my second I spent that time cleaning my house (the last time my house was clean 😂) eating good food and staying hydrated. I know it’s hard but try and keep yourself moving and distracted, good luck!

I was 1cm dilated last Thursday and they did a sweep. I started having more painful contractions on the Friday but they weren’t regular and disappeared during the night. Started having non regular contractions again during the day on Saturday and was up all night as they got closer together. Finally went into hospital Sunday morning when they were 5 minutes apart, was told I was 8cm and had baby 2 hours later. I’m not really sure what part of that was early labour for me because it felt like I went from having very few contractions to being in established labour very quickly.

Yes, OP - do you have a hill near you by any chance?

I walked around the ward, as advised by the midwives and was happy to do so.
As I said, everyone is different, I was lucky and didn’t need any interventions. Anything to distract yourself from the contractions does help.

Sounds odd, but try walking up and down stairs sideways. Hold on to the bannister. That got me from early to established labour very quickly with two of mine.

Good luck!

Started going into early labour and dilating at 37 weeks and had on and off labour starting until my c section at 39 weeks.

I was induced this time round. Was booked for a Foley’s (balloon) induction on 25th Jan at 39+4, but my cervix wasn’t remotely favourable so they couldn’t do it, and had to go in the following afternoon for a gel induction. When the contractions started they were pretty regular from the get go, about every 6 minutes. However, whilst they increased in intensity and duration, they never got any more regular, but it felt way more intense than when I was in latent labour with my first two. I was then 3cm at around 11pm on 27th Jan, then when they finally reexamined me about 3pm the following day I was 4cm. They took me to the Labour ward shortly after that and DD was born at 10.22pm. So I was in early labour for a couple of days (albeit very painful and intense that second day!).