Take it Easy, Baby: A Doula’s Guide to Early Labor
“If contractions don’t go away, despite changes in your hydration or activity levels, it could be real labor.”
Early labor can be a confusing, exciting, and sometimes frustrating time for those impatient moms-to-be. We get calls from clients all the time who are not sure if they’re in labor or not. Sometimes clients feel restless and need some guidance on what they should do. We doulas have a lot of experience guiding clients through early labor. Here we’ll try to demystify early labor and give you our best suggestions on what to do and what not to do.
Is it really happening?
Often, early labor includes some crampy sensations or even some irregular or spaced-out contractions. You may feel a dull aching in your back. You might experience loose stools, or you may begin to lose your mucus plug (that snot-like glob in your cervix that helps keep your uterus germ-free) as changes in your cervix begin to happen. You may also notice pink or bloody discharge, called bloody show, which is also related to cervical changes.
How do you know if it’s the real deal? If it’s “practice” labor, contractions will generally be pretty mild and go away after a couple of hours, especially if you drink some water, take a shower, or get some rest. If contractions don’t go away, despite changes in your hydration or activity levels, it could be real labor. It’s even more likely if accompanied by any of the above symptoms. Real labor contractions will gradually increase in intensity, frequency, and duration. Having your amniotic fluid release is another good sign that your baby will be here soon.
Okay, it’s happening! What should I do?
When you feel you’re in labor, it can be an exciting time. As much as possible, you should try to go about business as usual. Listen to your body, making sure to rest when necessary. Resist the urge to put a lot of focus into your contractions. We like to tell clients to do everything except labor until they can only do labor.
Nourish and Hydrate!
Staying well hydrated is of the utmost importance. Keep your water bottle nearby and take sips between contractions (make sure to empty your bladder frequently!) We also recommend that clients get a good snack or meal in if they can, because labor can be long, and outdated hospital policies can prevent them from eating for long periods. Easily digestible foods will be your friend here, but if you really want a cheeseburger, we want you to eat that cheeseburger.
Finish Up Pre-Baby Projects
If you’re feeling anxious or restless, it can be a good idea to finish up any last-minute baby preparation that you haven’t done yet. Now’s the time to pack the hospital bag, polish your birth plan, or create your labor playlist if you haven’t done it yet. It can be fun to have an early-labor project, like working on your baby book or baking a birthday cake with your older children.
Easy Movement is Best
Some light activity can be nice here. Get outside and take a walk in nature. Some gentle yoga can also be soothing to the nervous system. Hip circles on your yoga ball can help provide some gentle movement for your pelvis. Remember to listen to your body and rest when you feel like it. Labor can be a marathon, so it’s important to conserve your energy. Alternate activity with rest.
Laboring at Night
If it’s late, we strongly recommend getting some rest. We know you’re excited and it may be hard to rest, so think about having a small snack and a drink, or a warm bath or shower, and then getting to bed. Labor is very hard on the body and mind when you haven’t had a lot of sleep, so set yourself up for success and go into active labor well-rested.
Back Labor
Sometimes, back labor can be a real pain even in early labor. When this happens, there are a few things you can do. Spending time on your hands and knees is a popular (and effective!) trick to help ease the discomfort in your back. It can also help your baby rotate if the back pain is being caused by the baby’s position. We recommend giving your floor a good scrub or getting on the floor and crawling around with your kiddos. If you just want to relax, we recommend leaning over a birth ball or a recliner to keep your wrists feeling happy.
Dancing or doing some figure-eights on your yoga ball can sometimes help. You can also go for a walk or try curb-walking, which can help release some tight tissues in your back. For this, walk with one foot on the curb and the other on the street. Then switch feet on your way home.
Counter-pressure, hip squeezes, and massage from a partner can be helpful. Abdominal lifting can also help take the pressure off your back. To do this, simply interlace your fingers under your belly and lift. Bonus points if you bend your knees and tuck your pelvis (lift your pubic bone toward your nose).
Early labor can be really exciting, but it should be a gentle, nourishing time that gets your body prepared for the marathon of active labor. Remember to listen to your body and rest if you can, so you’re not worn out later. We hope you can take some time to enjoy this last little bit of your pregnancy. Happy birthing!
Want to learn some more about labor and get tips from doulas? Check out our free Comfort Measures class!
