Comments on: Stalled out labor – What to do when your contractions stop https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/ Combining science and wellness for thriving families Sat, 04 Nov 2023 18:08:38 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Leah G https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-4537 Sat, 04 Nov 2023 18:08:38 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-4537 Thank you. This was super helpful. I am in the middle of a stalled labor. Had mild but consistent contractions for 3 hrs but, instead of intensifying, they diminished. This is also baby #4 and I tend to have fast labors (like 5-6 hrs from first contraction to baby). So I was super confused when things stopped. I have no intention of going to the hospital because, like you, I prefer the all natural route! So these tips are helpful. We have gone on a walk, and I’ve been bouncing and rolling around on my birthing ball, and walking sideways up and down the stairs, etc. I think it is God’s way of trying to get me more on board with labor because I have been anxious over the idea of balancing 4 kids and nervous about the labor because my last one had shoulder distocia…youch!!!

]]> By: Samantha Radford, PhD https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1865 Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:40:12 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1865 In reply to Sateria.

You’ve got it Sateria. Thanks for reaching out!

]]> By: Sateria https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1860 Sat, 19 Nov 2022 12:13:03 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1860 Hi Samantha,

I am 38 weeks 5 days pregnant, singleton, 3rd hopefully natural pregnancy. I had ECV performed a week ago. 3 days ago my Doctor confirmed baby was head down, Anterior and engaged. I was dilated 4. For weeks now I have had steady intense contractions that would progress to 5 minutes apart, last about a minute then after a few hours STOP! I’ve even had what seemed to be my bloody show a few times. I’ve tried several things including the tuck and pelvic tilts and bouncing / rolling on ball. I am still pressing through! I do not have the answer for why this is happening but accept that baby will be here eventually. Thanks for this post, nice to know others experiences too and hopefully we can learn the reason(s) why these types of labors happen. – Best, Sateria

]]> By: Samantha Radford, PhD https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1844 Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:34:46 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1844 In reply to Sara.

I’m so sorry Sara! That’s so stressful and frustrating. I hope your little one comes soon all on his own. You’re doing great.

]]> By: Sara https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1842 Fri, 11 Nov 2022 01:15:16 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1842 So I’m hospital as waters and plug came away on Wednesday. Since I’ve had bouts of contractions 3-4 mins apart lasting 40-70seconds then irregular and then stopped. Today I’ve had three tightenings. This evening I experienced 40 mins of consistent contractions and increase in strength which have now ceased.
I am waiting for a bed on delivery due to the time lapsed between waters breaking. I’ve walked like a crab up and down stairs, 2 hrs of walking around the hospital a day, rested, yoga positions, cat and cow etc.. showers .. nice food, a hot curry.. This is my third.. he is being monitored and seems very happy in there .. I cannot believe labour can stop and start like it has. I’ve been an emotional wreck today worrying about induction or a crash section as I have experienced both between previous deliveries.. due to the lack of staff availability and beds I need my body to do this without any intervention but nothing is working. I am mindful of the risks of induction of my body and baby isn’t ready too such a challenging and sleep depriving time
Just before needing all my energy to birth him and be present for him after. I am feeling very sorry for myself.

]]> By: Samantha Radford, PhD https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1586 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 17:23:30 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1586 In reply to Samantha.

That’s so frustrating, Samantha! For what it’s worth, babies near term are all wildly different sizes, so I wouldn’t worry about the baby’s head size. And yes, I didn’t realize labor could just stop like that until it happened to me! Best of luck.

]]> By: Samantha Radford, PhD https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1585 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 17:21:06 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1585 In reply to Michelle.

Hang in there Michelle! Keep us posted.

]]> By: Michelle https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1582 Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:49:51 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1582 Hi, I’m 37 weeks pregnant and experienced stalled labor yesterday. This is my third pregnancy. As of Friday I was 3-4cm dilated. My contractions started once every five minutes. I spoke with the on-call doc and she told me to go to the hospital, which I did. At the hospital my contractions increased and were more painful, once every two minutes. I was then dilating at 5cm. I tried to rest thinking baby was coming soon, but the contractions started to space out and practically stop. The doc suggested I go back home until my water breaks or contractions get worse again. Feeling very discouraged as I was hoping to have had my baby. I’ll be 38 weeks in a couple of days and have an induction scheduled in three days due to gestational diabetes. Hoping baby comes earlier.

]]> By: Samantha https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1579 Fri, 08 Jul 2022 06:14:43 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1579 I’ve had a lot of signs that labour was nearing all week that I was convinced baby was coming this week. This is my second baby first was 8 years ago and only 5 hours long straight forward labour. Obviously expecting the same but shorter this time round my labour started yesterday contractions started off well the same as my first I was rushing round grabbing bags phoning for childcare sorting tea then sat to time 5 minutes apart each lasting a minute but after an hour they didn’t intensify I rang the hospital to get some advice usual advice of relax get a bath have some paracetamol and ring back if anything changes but did explain they may stop. Decided it was probably best to get my son to his overnight stay with bedtime coming close then went for a short walk around the park with spd my walking is very slow and limited decided to come home and get on the ball and contractions started to slow down and become irregular and eventually stopped all together. I feel really deflated I do think maybe he isn’t in the pelvis as I was checked for position only 3 days ago which the midwife has wrote 4/5 but my bump is measuring on the 90th centile and at a private scan baby’s head is measuring 2 days before my actual due date. Now everything is going through my mind the whole what ifs I had no idea labour could just stop. I will be trying the methods when labour picks back up and see if that can help with position but I cannot work out which position he is in.

]]> By: Samantha Radford, PhD https://evidence-basedmommy.com/stalled-out-labor-what-to-do-when-your-contractions-stop/#comment-1555 Tue, 28 Jun 2022 14:01:21 +0000 https://evidence-basedmommy.com/?p=3630#comment-1555 In reply to Tya.

Hi Tya, sorry I’m just now seeing this! That sounds awful. Any luck since then?

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