DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
So, you have the signs that you’re in early labor, now what?
During early labor, your baby settles lower into your pelvis, and you may experience some contractions in your abdomen or back.
Early labor lasts up to 6cm and usually takes 2/3 of the total labor time. Additionally, over several hours, your contraction will become longer, stronger, and more regular (about 5 minutes apart, each lasting 25-45 seconds).
Why You Shouldnt Rush in Early Labor
You shouldn’t go in early (to a hospital) if you want low-intervention labor and birth. A medicalized birth is far more likely to happen the earlier you go in. Furthermore, it’s optimal for your body and hormones in labor to progress in the comfort of your own home compared to a birth center or hospital. Check out, 5 Things You Need to Create a Calm Birth Space for more information!
Lastly, for a low-risk pregnancy, there’s no reason to come in early until you’re in active labor and the healthcare professionals will want you to stay home until then. If you come in too early, they may send you home to wait longer.
When Should You Go in?
Many mothers are anxious to get into the hospital when they’re in labor because they feel like they need to be right away. However, research proves that the earlier you go into the hospital while in labor, the more interventions you’re likely to have. Still, hospitals don’t typically admit mothers until they’re about 4cm dilated.
If you’re giving birth at a hospital or birthing center, some follow the 4-1-1 or 5-1-1 rule. This means when your surges are 4-5 minutes apart, lasting for one minute, for an hour-long.
However, everyone progresses differently. I recommend going by how you feel more than anything else. Therefore, when it begins to get difficult to talk through contractions, and you find yourself needing to utilize coping techniques such as breathing, swaying, tension release, etc., to get through the waves for 2 hours, then it’s time to go into your place of birth!
For first-time mother’s you can expect to be laboring at home for 12-24 hours possibly. And if you’re a mom who has had one or more babies before, the time is often shorter than your first.
Why do you have to avoid going in too early?
It’s a big deal to many mothers birthing in a hospital to avoid arriving too early because labor and delivery nurses, OB, and hospital midwives use a vaginal exam to “determine” how dilated you are and if it’s time for you to be admitted. A vaginal exam doesn’t determine exactly how dilated you are because the guess varies from each health care professional.
Additionally, as I mentioned above, everyone progresses differently and hospitals should trust the mother’s instincts. The more we trust her instincts and she trusts her instincts, the more accurate they become.
Early Labor Activities:
It’s crucial to avoid assuming your labor is progressing faster than it really is. The best idea is to ignore your early labor contractions for as long as possible. Becoming preoccupied with them often leads to less rest and your labor seeming much longer than you were anticipating.
Some activities you can do during early labor to set yourself for success and strength for active labor include:
- Check your hospital bag and pack your last-minute items
- Finish preparing your home for when you come back
- Mediate or use guided visualization
- Have a massage from your partner, doula, or friend
- Take a long shower
- If you have a child who isnt going to be present at your birth, ensure their bags are packed if you need to drop them off
- Go for a walk
- Watch a movie
- Play a game
- Consume easy to digest foods and drinks that appeal to you. I recommend coconut water for hydration and electrolytes, nuts, seeds, crackers, cheese, a smoothie, bananas, broth, grapes, dates, etc. Check out, Does Eating Dates Make Your Labor Easier?
A Note for Partners:
Early labor is exciting for you as well, and it’s great to show your excitement and happiness. However, try to remain calm and patient to help your partner do so as well. Furthermore, rest and nourishment are crucial for you too!
You got this! You are encouraged, educated, and empowered. Talk soon!
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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