Getting really annoyed waiting for active labour

Well my wife is in early labour! But, we're getting really fed up as she has been in early labour for 36 hours now.

It just really feels that this baby is never going to come. We think we're making progress when her contractions come down to 6 minutes apart and then bump back up to 15 minutes.

My wife hasn't been able to sleep, she's tired. We just want it over with. She's struggling because at least in active labour you know at least the pains are worth it, like they're actually getting you somewhere.

Sorry I'm just venting my enormous frustration

Aww, exciting!

Go for a long walk.  That really helps.  Forces baby down and all.

And don't be afraid to go back to the hospital.  With my first they gave me some diamorphine in early labor which enabled me to sleep for a few hours.  Good stuff!

Labor is cruel.  You don't sleep going into it, it's rather brutal on the body, and you don't sleep afterwards to recover!  Babies sleep a lot that first week.  Make sure she gets some good rest during that time.  You too!

Good luck Ben!  It will be totally worth it in the end. 

Poor Mrs Ben. I hope she can get through it soon! It doesn't sound like any fun.

Best wishes for the little one!

That baby knows he's/she's not due for 3 days and taking his/her time! 

As said before, try to get some activity in...walk or whatever, that will help. I've heard eating spicy food helps too!

Yeah she's had codeine (sp?) a few times which helped but it's more the mental battle I think at this point. Her contractions aren't getting closer, at all. She's getting de-moralised fast. We call the midwife and they say that unfortunately that's the way it is. We get frustrated but they're right.

I'm an engineer so I would class myself as a very logical person and the labour process is as far from logical as possible 

Yeah she's had codeine (sp?) a few times which helped but it's more the mental battle I think at this point. Her contractions aren't getting closer, at all. She's getting de-moralised fast. We call the midwife and they say that unfortunately that's the way it is. We get frustrated but they're right.

I'm an engineer so I would class myself as a very logical person and the labour process is as far from logical as possible 

Coedine doesn't do a thing for labour, if you ask me.  Hang in there!  Baby WILL come.  I know you must feel helpless right now.

writeshawnaa we had a curry Saturday night and she went into early labour three hours later!

We tried walking but I think we're gonna go little and often around the black to gently knock her down!

Sign of things to come parents??

I have no personal experience Ben, but good wishes for a speedy and easy delivery! 

Hope baby doesn't keep you waiting too much longer! 

You've gone quiet, which makes me very excited!  Update us when you can.   

I'm an engineer so I would class myself as a very logical person and the labour process is as far from logical as possible 

Frickin' biology. It's not even science really is it?

I remember the first time we walked into the labour room and I noticed a distinct change in the posters on the wall.  They no longer looked all warm and fuzzy like the ones  from the NCT, these looked more like the plane crash instructions you find in  the seat back.  Animated pictures of screaming and pushing.....

So........SHE'S HERE!

That day we went to the hospital to get coedine so she could sleep at night. We got home, went to bed and she was in excruciating pain. Her pain was so bad that we had to go back to the hospital 4 hours later at 1am.

She was 4cm so she was in labour. 15 hours later she was born!

Lily her name is, and she's amazing. Thanks everyone for your wishes

Yay! Congratulations!