Laboring Slowly

[ambotchka]

I started real labor last night, with contrax every 5 minutes and lasting over a minute, but they were what I would consider "mild." They hurt, but I wasn't suffering. It lasted all night (except I didn't feel them when I slept), then I woke up to two painful ones without any real break between them. We went for a walk, which helped, but then they died down. (In intensity, not frequency.)

The other thing is that my back hurts a LOT.

So I don't know what to do. If I were having a homebirth, I'd just stay home. But now they're getting closer together without increasing the intensity. What could that mean?

I'm a little ashamed that I haven't had the baby yet b/c my mother-in-law drove out here this morning (6 hour drive) b/c we told her last night I was in labor. Plus, I had DH stay home from work.

The contrax aren't comfortable, by any means. Just not real bad...I can talk through them (although my brain goes spacey).

What is going on!!??

[titania8]

sometimes labor takes the long slow route. and that's ok. if you think you'd be more comfortable in the hospital, by all means, go. there might be a good chance of them starting a pit drip though, to speed things up. you can, of course, say no to whatever you don't want, but you'll have to be strong.

and please, don't be ashamed. there is nothing to be ashamed of. your body is doing the work it needs to do. sometimes it takes days. sometimes labor starts and stops and restarts days later. it just goes like that sometimes.

at any rate, you know you will be meeting your baby sooner than later!! :

[KindRedSpirit]

Have you tried positioning exersizes during some contractions?I labored for 13 hours with Dd2 and 10 of those were unproductive due to her positioning/angle.We did some yoga warrior poses and she was out in 20 min.!If you aren't holding babe already, post a question on the birth proffessionals threads or call a local midwife for advice.Or you could go to the hosp if you think they'd be open to informing you and not pressuring you into something you don't want/need.
Good luck if you still need it, mama!

[ambotchka]

I'm in a disappointed and discouraged mood today.

We went in to the hosp last night to get checked out. The first nurse couldn't find my cervix (she had me on my back with my hips elevated), went and got another who said she'll go with the doc's "2cm" but really felt like I was just one and way posterior. "You're not in labor, and you've got a long ways to go." (BTW, it was awful. My cervix is so far up they had to shove themselves in there.)

When they left the room I was just bawling. My back hurt so bad, I was tied up to the monitors, my contrax increased and got stronger (every 2 min or so, and it felt like my back was balling up with each one). After a few hours of that, a different nurse came back in and checked me again. No change, except I was bloody from the barrage of cervix checks.

We went home, I cried a little more, and felt deflated (if that's possible while at 39 weeks). I slept through most of the night, so I guess they were right about it just being BH contrax. (Albeit very painful ones.)

My bed is so much more comfortable than that hospital bed. My DH is so much more supportive (although clueless). This morning I woke up thinking, "I'm not going back to that hospital unless I can't birth this baby myself." I'm sure I'll change my mind when I'm farther along, but really, why put myself through that torture? It's emotionally and physically exhausting.

Today I don't want to face anyone or talk to anyone. My MIL is here, thank goodness, so she's taking care of DD. DH is adorable and loving, although he keeps asking if I'm having more contrax and what the diff is between these and DDs contrax, but I told him to stop it.

FWIW, I had no problems the last time. I had a drug-free, textbook birth in a different hospital.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Wow! Sounds just likw what I went/am going through, since Thursday night! I mean right down to crossing your t's and dotting your eyes. Way posterior, hubby asking constantly. So sending good vibes your way. I know exactly how you feel. except I am alone with DS. :

[nurnur]

[titania8]

big comforting to you. i wish there was more i could say or do. i've been thinking about you.

[PookieMom]

I'm sorry things are going so rough. It'll pick up soon.

[KindRedSpirit]

s.That just sounds awful!I hope things improve for you quickly! again.

[ambotchka]

I'm feeling better now. Still have mild contrax freqently, but I've come to terms with them. I just have to ignore them and keep walking. Sitting still or not moving makes everything hurt more.

Thanks for the encouragement.