Before labor begin
How you may feel:
- Baby may drop lower in the pelvis.
- You may have more Braxton-Hicks (pre-labor) contractions.
- Your weight may level off or you may lose weight.
- You may have a burst of energy.
- You may have a little more vaginal discharge.
- You may need to urinate more often.
What you should do:
- Take a nap each day and go to bed early each night (labor is easier when you are rested).
- Pack clothes for you and baby.
- Have your family help with housework.
Early Labor
(Cervix 0-3 centimeters dilated; contractions 5-20 minutes apart and usally lasting 30-45 seconds)
How you may feel:
- You may feel excited, talkative.
- Contractions are easier.
What you should do:
- Begin relaxation (shower, nap, listen to music).
- Urinate often to keep your bladder empty so baby can move down.
- Drink clear liquids only (juices: apple/grape/cranberry; other: sprite, ginger ale, popsicles).
- Do not eat food unless your doctor or clinic says it is okay.
- Partner can time contractions (from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next). Call your doctor or midwife or clinic. It may be time to go to the hospital when:
- contractions have been 5 minutes apart for 1 hour (sooner if you have a history of fast labors), OR you are leaking fluid from your vagina, or having vaginal bleeding, OR
- the doctor or midwife tells you to come in.
Active labor
(Cervix 4-7 centimeters dilated; contractions 2-5 minutes apart and usually lasting 45-60 seconds)
How you may feel:
- You may have to concentrate more during contractions.
- Usually not as talkative.
What you should do:
- Continue to rest.
- Take a short walk inside if allowed.
- Urinate often to keep your bladder empty so baby can move downward more easily.
- Go to the Hospital when ready.
- Partner can give massage, pace your breathing, give ice chips; help you to focus on relaxation.
Transitional Labor
This phase is usually less than 2 hours (Cervix 7-10 centimeters dilated; contractions 90 seconds to 2 minutes apart and lasting 60 - 90 seconds)
How you may feel:
- You may feel irritated or panicky.
- You may not like to be touched.
- You may have nausea or vomiting.
- You may have shaking or trembling.
- You may feel like sleeping between contractions (be sure to sleep if you can!)
What you should do:
- Take one contraction at a time. Continue relaxing as much as possible.
- Do not push until the nurse or doctor has told you to push. (Pushing too soon can cause your cervix to swell.)
- Try to sleep between contractions.
- Partner should encourage mom; keep calm; do not leave her during this time; breathe with her; keep her from pushing; help her to focus on relaxation (see ideas below).
Pushing Until Birth
Pushing phase may be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 3 hours (cervix completely dilated; contractions 3-5 minutes apart and lasting 60 seconds)
How you may feel:
- You may have a very strong urge to push (and feel relieved to push)
- You may feel energetic again
What should you do:
- Get in the most comfortable position for pushing (your partner and your nurse can help you)
- Push on during a contraction (rest in between contractions)
- Partner should pace breathing for pushing; help you get into a comfortable position; continue encouraging; and remind you to keep your eyes open to see the birth
- Take a walk
- Take a shower
- Take a nap
- Listen to music
- Do relaxation breathing (nurses can help show you how)
- Have a massage
- Look at a "focal point" (sonogram picture of baby, picture of your other children or picture of a beautiful place)
- Cool, cloth to forehead
- Eat ice chips
- Use hand fan
- Keep bladder empty (to make room for the baby to move down the birth canal)
- Change positions often (helps the baby move down more easily)
- Keep the room cool, quiet, lights dim