How long until actual labour?

JDxtra

Hi,

My wife is a week over due and started getting contractions 36 hours ago. They've been steady at 5-6 mins apart now for about 24 hours, and are just getting stronger. They are of a strength where she can't talk during them and they last for 60 to 70 seconds.

Went to the hospital yesterday but they sent us home and advised to come back when they are 1-2 mins apart as she was not in labour yet.

Obviously my wife is now exhausted at this stage and can't sleep at all.

Hopefully things will kick off soon - but for how long can these pre-labour potentially contractions go on for?

Cheers.

Grawns

Jaypers the poor woman. I'd go back in now or she'll be too exhausted for the whole labour malarkey. Haven't had one yet though.

Grawns

Read this, hope it helps.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labourcomplications/speedinguplabour/

crazy cat lady

The cervix has a lot of work to do before your wife will be in established labour, and the best place to be is at home.

Have a shower, use heat packs, TENS if you have it. Any type of distraction therapy you can think of.

If she is at the point when she is having trouble walking and talking thru contractions then its quite possible that the cervix has started to dilate.

Contractions should be 2-3-4 mins apart, lasting between 30-40 seconds, and as already said, your wife will find it hard to walk and talk through them.

Make sure she eats well before going into hospital as some maternity units do not allow food in the labour ward, even tho research does not support this!

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

JDxtra

Cheers all! We went in later that afternoon, luckily labour had actually started and they kept her in.

Progress was slow at the start, then picked up, then slowed again. She was really tired and after 13 hours in the hospital they had to do a cesarean section.

All ended well though as we have a perfect baby boy now!

Quackles

JDxtra wrote: »

Cheers all! We went in later that afternoon, luckily labour had actually started and they kept her in.

Progress was slow at the start, then picked up, then slowed again. She was really tired and after 13 hours in the hospital they had to do a cesarean section.

All ended well though as we have a perfect baby boy now!

Yay, I love a happy ending Congratulations!

LolaDub

Congratulations!

Grawns

Fantastic news I was wondering and worrying about you guys. Birth is scary especially for us first timers. Congratulations Daddy!