You may get to a point where labor stops progressing. This can feel really disheartening as you think things are going but then they’re not. What can you do? I’m also going to split this into early labor vs active labor, because our tactics are going to be very different.
Just wanted to say that I LOVE that you’re here. If you’re wishing your partner was getting as prepared as you are — I recommend this. It’s quick & easy, couples love it!
What to Do if You Stop Progressing in Early Labor
Go home: Now, you might not be in the hospital but often I see people coming in with consistent contractions, but then suddenly things just peter out. My best tip is to go home. Remember, at home:
- You can move however you want (no worries about keeping baby on the monitor)
- You can EAT whatever you want — even if we have orders to feed you our 3-day old ham sandwiches might not be the thing for you!
- You’re comfortable, and it just lets that Oxytocin flow.
The hospital may be willing to augment your labor to keep you going — but I think far too many couples just bypass the fact that they could go home and maybe let things go on their own without Pitocin…
Remember this is normal: It’s also really annoying, and I get that. Prodromal labor can feel like false start after false start. It happened to me, even on my last baby when I had been a labor nurse for eight years. You have to PLAN on the false starts early in labor — it makes it less annoying.
It’s really important your PARTNER also understand there will be false starts. Often their hopes get so high that “it’s happening” and they pressure you to go to the hospital when staying home for a bit would be smarter. I recommend getting them on the same page as you in here.
Nipple Stim — of all of the studies I’ve read this is the one thing that you can do. Definitely check with your provider before doing it… but I’ve heard plenty of anecdotal as well as actual studies that show while it might not get you into rip-roaring labor in minutes, it may work within a couple of days.
Check out my full post on if pumping will put you into labor.
Want to know more about things that might put you into labor — check out these posts:
- What is Stripping Membranes? (Membrane Sweep)
- Best Sex Position to Induce Labor?
- When Should I Start Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea?
- Can Curb Walking Induce Labor?
- When to start Eating Dates During Pregnancy?
Honestly, early labor is just something most people aren’t great at. Anxiety plays a big role in that. We talk a lot about what to do in here, I also have some tips on my post on prodromal labor.
If you’re still about 36 weeks there ARE a few evidence-based things you can do to help prepare your cervix for labor.
What to do if you stop progressing in active labor?
This one is trickier, because you’re most likely at the hospital at this point — and you may feel a bit more powerless here.
Change Position
We labor nurses often say that motion is lotion — it really just helps baby find their best spot in the pelvis to come out. In order to do that, we use gravity and different positions to pull down the baby into the pelvis.
Honestly, this can be something as simple as turning sides if you have an epidural. I have a whole post on how to use movement during your labor if you have an epidural. It’s always a little bit trickier when you have an epidural (and you’ll likely need some help to change positions) — but it CAN be done.
You being willing (bonus points if your partner is also willing to help out) is a HUGE way that nurses can help you do it. If you aren’t very helpful it’s less likely your nurse is going to work on rotating you — we really can’t move you on our own, and sometimes other nurses just aren’t available. PLUS, you performing the action to try to move on your own can help sometimes too!
If you DON’T have an epidural there are lots more positions for you. Even if you have to stay on a wired monitor << that post has some awesome tips if that’s the case. I also have labor movement cards included in the bundle in here that are GREAT for partners wanting to help you switch it up.
But, my 4 favorite are:
- Lunges by the bed (using the bed to keep you steady) or down the hallway (using the sides of the hallway to keep you steady)
- Squatting by the bed (use the side rails on the bed to help) — you can also lower the doctor’s stool and sit on it instead of an actual squat — since that’s hard to keep hold of for a while.
- Captain Morgan pose — lower the bed to the lowest position, put your foot up on the bed — it’s sort of like a lunge but less painful and really stretches out your hip flexors.
- Sitting backwards on the toilet (if you have monitoring that allows it). Straddle the toilet facing the wall. You can rest on the back of the toilet and it somehow just feels good to have the bowl opening with so much going on downtown.
While we’re here — telling your staff that you want to use movement opens the door to them offering more and a birth plan is a GREAT way to do it — get the easy way to do it here:
Ask Your Nurse
This is a great one, because sometimes it depends on how the baby is facing in the womb. What’s your nurse feel on a vaginal exam, or while looking at your tummy — is there a way that would be best for baby to turn?
She may also have other ideas, like emptying your bladder, or other props you can use (stay tuned for more on this).
I think sometimes patients are afraid to ask their nurse, feeing they’ll seem foolish but I think it’s SMART to do. Use all the team members to their potential.
Nurses may also be reticent to tell you to move because some patients don’t like it when we do that — so just ask!
Eat Something
Ok, this one might be against doctor’s orders, but if labor is going on, and you have no glucose in your system it can sometimes be a problem.
Even if you’re not allowed to have any food, you can usually have clear liquids — so I’d try a some juice as a nurse if it was my only option.
Or, if you REALLY can’t have anything by mouth I’d ask for some D5 IV fluid (it has a little dextrose — or, sugar) in it from your doctor to see if some glucose would give your uterus some energy to get that baby out!
BUT if you can eat, have something small. Some people think that tums have helped labor progress, something about the calcium helps the muscles contract. I’ve seen studies that contradict that, but honestly — worth a try to have a little cheese (or tums).
Chill Out/Nap
A watched pot doesn’t boil, and sometimes a watched pregnant lady doesn’t progress.
You and your partner may be so upset that things aren’t going how you’d planned it just doesn’t help.
If you have an epidural, see if you can get in a great position (I love this one), lower the lights, put on some quiet music and try to get some rest.
For heaven’s sake, don’t keep checking it every hour — that might not be helping the oxytocin flow either!
If you don’t have an epidural, and you aren’t too far along, it might be a good time for some IV pain medication. It can allow you to rest between contractions and maybe relax to let that baby descend.
Or, the reality is that epidurals often help baby to descend — ultimately by helping you to relax, so you might want to consider one if you don’t already have one.
The reality is that if you’re tensed up with a lot of pain and anxiety it does the same thing to your pelvis which puts the red light into baby descending into the birth canal — try to chill out as much as you can. AND if you’re anxious about labor in general — I recommend this.
Try to get your partner or support person to nap too — it will be good for BOTH of you. Even just a tiny power nap will both of you fresh eyes on the situation.
New Prop?
No, this isn’t like your Jr High play where you held a newspaper — I’m talking about things like peanut or birth balls, etc.
If you DON’T have a peanut ball between your legs, maybe add one. Or if you DO have a peanut ball — is there something else you could try?
I’ve been a nurse so long we didn’t have peanut balls back in the day. I’d use all the things in the room for my patient instead. Nurses love to McGuyver!
The props in labor can both allow you to rest, but also help baby to come down.
Pro Tip: If you’re not actually ASLEEP you want to try to move every 30 minutes. Let your nurse know this is the hope, and if she comes in the room open at least one eye to let her know you’re not actually asleep, and if it’s time to move you’re a willing participant. It doesn’t need to be huge, it just needs to use gravity on the baby in a new way!
What if my Doctor is Wanting to Do a Cesarean?
This is called “failure to progress” and is one of my least favorite diagnoses in labor.
Ultimately, it says that both mom & baby are tolerating labor pretty well, but baby just couldn’t come down — and we weren’t in the mood to be patient.
Now, you may be ready for a Cesarean, and that’s up to you. Again, make sure you understand the risks and the benefits and then move forward how it seems good to you.
But, you may wanting to be more patient and try some new things.
Keep trying the things I mentioned, you might also consider something like having your water broken, or even going home if you’re early in labor? I’ve definitely seen doctors want to do a cesarean when the patient hasn’t really even gotten into a good labor pattern and could have gone home.
It is ALWAYS your choice if you have a caesarean or not, but if you and baby are both doing fine, I think it’s fine to ask for more time.
Now, if you have other things like baby’s heart rate is going down, or you’re getting a fever, than that’s more than just failure to progress. And that needs to be considered as well.
This deserves a lengthy talk with your provider before for you make your mind up, and the good news is that most often (unless they’ve already started the surgery) you can change your mind.
Don’t feel PRESSURED into something you don’t understand. It’s important that you get the information you need.
Honestly, the hospital can be a pretty “high pressure” situation… it’s important to know how to handle it before you’re in it. And remember, if you’re anxious the natural oxytocin shuts off. I recommend every couple take this << it’s WELL worth your time to prepare both of you!
Were any of these helpful for you? Tell us in the comments!
- About the Author
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A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice. She has 20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.
As an evidence-based prenatal educator Hilary has delivered thousands of babies and has educated hundreds of thousands of parents from a diverse patient population to help them have a confident birth.
Secret Keys to Labor that No One Talks About