By far, one of the most frequently asked questions from students in regard to labor is, “How do I know if I am really in labor?” Followed by, “If it is really labor, then what do I do?”
OK, let’s tackle the first question. As silly as it may sound, you will know it really is labor when the contractions do not stop. They typically start out feeling like menstrual cramp- like sensations that are perceivable for about 30-45 seconds. You may notice these crampy feelings coming somewhere between 8-10 minute apart.
Should they start to get stronger and closer together, chances are this is turning into active labor. However, it is not uncommon for some moms to have several hours of these contractions and then they fade away. This can even happen a few times. If that does occur, try not to be discouraged – all these “warm up” contractions are making some cervical change and paving the way for your body to start labor.
If you are starting to notice contractions at night, try to keep sleeping. If this is really going to progress into active labor, you want to be as well rested as possible! If it is during the day, try to stay hydrated and nourished and alternate between resting and some gentle movement. Feel free to take a walk around your neighborhood, but do NOT set out for a massive pilgrimage around town – conserve your energy.
While walking is a wonderful way to keep encouraging the baby to shift in the pelvis and establish an optimal fetal position, you do not want to exhaust yourself. I believe walking in active labor may be more beneficial than mile upon mile during early labor. You do not know if you are going to be on your feet for 8 or 28 hours during labor.
Have a “labor project” planned ahead of time. This can be a simple project like baking cookies or doing a crossword puzzle. This is an activity that you and your partner can do to keep your minds engaged so you are not scrutinizing yourself and your progress too much, as well as keep you from getting bored.
We have actually had students in class during early labor. They always explained that they felt safe in class and the movement felt good, but most importantly, it was occupying their time until things progressed. One sign that labor has shifted is when your labor project falls by the wayside – maybe those cookies you were baking are now burning and you really don’t care! 🙂
Sporadically time contractions. Put down the pen and paper and turn off the app! You do not need every contraction recorded. Three or four contractions will start to inform you of your labor pattern. It is more important for those involved to be present for the mom than it is to watch the watch.
If the mother’s mood and pattern starts to change, then pull out the watch and time a few more to see what the new pattern is. Before your 37th week of pregnancy, ask your care provider what the protocol is to head to the hospital or birth center. Some providers may want you in the hospital once the contractions are 4 or 5 minutes apart, while others may say to come in at 3 minutes.
My last piece of advice about the progression of from early labor into active labor is to be patient and do not pull out your whole bag of tricks too early. I very clearly remember the 5th birth I attended many years ago. I showed up at the mother’s house and she was bouncing frantically on her birth ball, with a washcloth over around her neck and her “labor” music mix blasting in the background. This was somewhere around hour 5 of labor. This particular labor went on for about 30 more hours. By the time we really needed her pain management tools, she was discouraged by them and bored of them. Ignore labor until it cannot be ignored anymore, and leave these tools for when you really need them.
Once you have established that the labor contractions are continuous, progressing and intensifying, you have turned the corner to active labor… and there is no going back. You are well on your way into Laborland! Happy birthing!
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Debra Flashenberg, CD(DONA), LCCE, E-RYT 500 is the director of the Prenatal Yoga Center. After several years as a yoga student, she decided to continue her education and became certified as a Bikram Yoga instructor. In 2006, Debra received her certification as a Lamaze® Certified Childbirth Educator. In September of 2007, Debra completed a Midwife Assistant Program with Ina May Gaskin, Pamela Hunt and many of the other Farm Midwives at The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee. Drawing on her experience as a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula and childbirth educator, Debra looks to establish safe and effective classes for pregnancy and beyond.
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