Are you in labour?
Are you in labour?
It’s got to be the most exciting question you have ever asked yourself: Is this it?! The moment I have waited 40 weeks for?!
As a rule of thumb, when you call your birthing ward, the midwife will ask you a series of questions, to determine when would be the best time for you to come into the hospital vs. if it is best for you to stay at home during early labour.
For a low-risk mother and baby, most of the time the best place for early labour is in your home. You are in your own space, where you feel safest and most comfortable, surrounded by (hopefully) supportive people / your partner. When you are relaxed and feel safe - the hormone that causes your contractions and ultimately the birth of your baby (oxytocin) flows through your body - when you become fearful and are not able to completely focus on your body - cortisol (our stress hormone) can interrupt the flow of oxytocin, slowing down labour. This is why, generally staying at home for the beginning of your labour is often best. As always though, I recommend you trust your body and your baby and if you ever feel like you need to head to your hospital/birth centre, please do.
If you are planning to birth in a hospital - and you and bub are low risk, when you call your midwife or delivery ward - you will normally be met by a series of questions such as:
1.) Can you talk through your contractions?
2.) How often are the contractions coming?
3.) How long do the contractions last for when they’re there?
4.) Have your waters broken or are you experiencing any discharge or bleeding?
5.) How is your babys movements?
The answers to the first three questions will be different for every woman, but a good indicator that the time is right is when your replies are something along the line of:
1.) No, the contractions are taking my full focus and I’m unable to hold a conversation through them.
2.) The contractions are coming every 2-4 minutes, and have been coming for at least one hour.
3.) The contractions are lasting longer than 45 seconds when they come.
Contractions can feel like tightness/pressure/period pain in your uterus and or in your back, depending on your baby's position.
Sometimes, your waters will break before labour starts, and that’s totally fine and normal. Give your hospital a call at this time, and they’ll run you through what to do - as every hospital is different. The most important thing to note is - what is the colour of the water? Pop a pad on, and observe the colour and volume. We want it to be clear or slightly pink - if you notice your waters have a green tinge (baby may have done a poo inside) or there is blood - call your midwife and OB to chat through this, they will likely ask you to come in, to assess you and your baby.
Download your FREE ‘Am I in labour’ checklist here!
Remember, even in labour baby should be moving as normal. If you feel like your bub’s movements have slowed, or have any other concerns, let your midwife know and ask to be seen in birthing ward.
If you are starting to feel uncombable at home, jump in the shower and have a nice, warm, relaxing shower or bath (if your waters are intact) and see if that settles things. If not and contractions remain consistent, painful, and lengthy, this might be it mama!!
It’s important to remember that labour is tough work, especially for first-time mums. Rest if you can, move those hips and try to breathe deeply through the tightenings. Dim those lights, rock those hips, and as much as you can…let go of all fear.
If you are starting to feel uncombable at home, jump in the shower and have a nice, warm, relaxing shower or bath (if your waters are intact) and see if that settles things. If not and contractions remain consistent, painful, and lengthy, this might be it mama!!
It’s important to remember that labour is tough work, especially for first-time mums. Rest if you can, move those hips and try to breathe deeply through the tightenings. Dim those lights, rock those hips, and as much as you can…let go of all fear.
You have got this Mama, you are strong and oh so incredible!
Keep an eye out next week for my next blog on coping with early labour at home.
Beautiful image by mama @deliciouslyella