How can I help myself in early labour?

Be at home for as long as you can as it is much more comfortable than any where else and is the best place to be for as long as possible. Many women say that they wish they had spent more of their labour in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Relax and stay calm relaxation does not just mean relaxed muscles-it also means having a calm mind and feeling confident that birth is a natural process and that your body is strong enough to cope. It is quite normal for the contractions to start to become more painful and frequent and then go off again. This is nature’s way of giving you the opportunity to rest. When your contractions become more painful, just closing your eyes and relaxing between them can help you rest and give you energy.

Early Labour Advice

• Stay Calm
• Move around and get into a comfortable position
• Focus on something else-watch a video/listen to music
• Try warm baths in a dimmed room
• Eat and drink regularly to give you energy
• Take simple pain killers such as paracetamol
• Relax and close your eyes between contractions

Remember: Stay at home for as long as possible

If you are unsure whether your labour has started, chances are it hasn’t!!  You can telephone for advice 24 hours a day. Depending on your situation, you may be advised to stay at home or come in for a check-up. Don’t be too disappointed if we recommend that you go home again if your labour isn’t completely established.  Home is the best place to be in early labour.

We don’t want you to struggle alone at home.  We are happy to offer advice and support over the telephone.  However, you should ALWAYS call if any of the following happens:

• You haven’t felt the baby move as much as usual
• You have any fresh red blood loss
• You think your waters have broken
• You are having strong, regular and painful contractions at least every 5 minutes apart, lasting about a minute.
• You are worried

How long will labour take?

Every labour is different.  It is normal for the first part to take a few days of irregular pains. Try not to clock watch or wear yourself out. Take plenty of rest, eat nourishing food and have plenty of drinks.  As a general guide, with your first baby it can take 12-14 hours once your labour has become properly established.

This page was last modified on Thu Jul 29 2010