Your midwife may also suggest taking paracetamol to ease any discomfort. Experiment with positions that you find comfortable and do what feels right, whether it's getting rest or moving around. Use a hot water bottle or a wheat bag heated in a microwave on your lower back or tummy.ĭoing all these things can help early labour to move on to active labour. Be careful not to wear yourself out, though. You could go for a gentle walk, potter around the house, play with your other children, or sit on a birth ball watching a DVD. If you're not feeling hungry try a smoothie, a banana, or anything you fancy! Slow-release, carbohydrate-rich foods are best. Ask your partner to cover you with a towel, and then pour warm water over you. Try lying on your side on towels or a non-slip bath mat. Warm water can help relax you and ease the pain of contractions. If contractions make it uncomfortable to lie down, try leaning over cushions or on a birth ball with a blanket over you. You could be in labour for some time, and the more energy you can save, the better. Try the following tips to ease you through this stage: This makes sense when you realise that it's much easier to rest and relax in your own home.Ī space that's calm, warm, private and softly lit will help your body produce the hormones you need for labour and save energy for the hard work that's to come.Įarly labour may feel like backache, aching in your lower tummy, cramps, or low-intensity contractions. This makes sense when you realise that it's much easier to rest and relax in your own home. You're less likely to need medical interventions in the form of drugs to speed up your labour, or to help you give birth. Staying at home in early labour gives you a better chance of having a shorter and more positive experience of active labour. And don't forget that a midwife is only a phone call away if you need reassurance. But there is plenty you can do to help yourself. First-time labours are usually slow and even a little boring at times! Early labour can take hours, even days. Remember that birth is rarely like it is on TV. Read our article on how to know when you're in labour for guidance. If you're having a home birth, you may wonder when the time is right to call your midwife and get her to come to you. You may worry about being on your own, or feel unsure about when it’s the best time to leave for hospital or the birth centre. That doesn't mean you won't feel a bit anxious. It's fine for you to stay at home, as long as you’re healthy and your waters haven't broken. This will be the case whether you're having your baby at a birth centre or at a hospital. However, your midwife will encourage you to stay at home for as long as you can. intensity of contraction (can’t talk or walk through them)Ĭalling your midwife or OBGYN if you experience these no matter what your contraction pattern is, is recommended.When you feel the first twinges of labour, you’ll be excited, daunted and keen to get some reassurance that all is well. Other physical signs to consider in addition to contraction timing are: This means contractions 3-4 min apart, lasting over a minute for one hour or more that you need to engage coping techniques for. If your plan is to get an epidural 3-1-1 to 4-1-1 is a good rule. This is contractions 3 min apart or less, lasting over 1 minute in duration for at least 2 hours that you can’t talk or walk through. If you’re planning a low intervention delivery (no epidural) most people will labor at home for an extended period of time. What to look for? This is where things can be different person to person. if contractions are patterned time them for 30-60 min, note any changes and then set down the timer until they feel stronger, longer or closer. if the pattern is irregular, take a break from timing and start again when you notice them more often when you notice more then 7 contractions in an hour time 5 of them, see what the pattern is. When should you time your contractions? If you’re before 37 weeks timing any noticeable uterine activity is recommended. This will time them correctly and keep a log. You hit start when it starts and stop when it ends. using an app, like Fullterm, is a great way to time your contractions. If you’re contracting every 5 min and they’re 30 seconds long that means you have a 30 second contraction and then a 4m30s break. first off how to time a contraction: your health care provider times contractions from the start of one to the start of the next. These are some general rules for low-risk first time parents! Every pregnancy and labor is different! The most important thing is talking over goals with your birth team and finding what works best for your birth goals and health history.
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