Birth can be incredibly fulfilling and empowering but is also unpredictable, and the unknown can be quite scary for some parents-to-be. We will care for you, advise and help you to make sure you feel supported to make your own decisions during your birth journey.
Early labour (1st stage)
Early labour, the ‘latent phase’, is the time when your body begins to prepare for ‘established’ labour. The latent phase can vary widely between different people. During this time, you may feel your first painful contractions as the womb begins to tighten. The contractions may be irregular and vary in how intense and long they last for. You may get lots of regular contractions that then slow down or stop completely.
When you have a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes causing the cervix to thin and open. For some people contractions may feel like extreme period pains. Some people say they feel pain in their back and thighs instead of, or as well as, pain in the front of their bump.
Remember, if you think you are in the early stages of labour the main thing to remember is to stay calm and relaxed if you can.
Top tips for early labour
- Build a ‘nest’ to maintain a calm and tranquil environment.
- Continue your normal routine. If it’s daytime do some regular activities and rest when you need to. If it’s night-time, try to get some sleep.
- Eat little and often if you can and try to keep well hydrated to help keep your energy levels up.
- A warm bath can help you to relax and ease lower back pain.
- Distract yourself by listening to music or watching a film.
- Try using a tens machine.
- Focus on your breathing. As the sensation builds try to make your out-breaths as long as possible.
Every labour progresses differently. Typically, you will know you are in established labour when you have had regular contractions (approximately 3 in 10 minutes) for an hour or more. The pain may also feel more intense.
Your cervix needs to open about 10cm for your baby to pass through it. This is what’s called being fully dilated.
In a first labour, the time from the start of established labour to being fully dilated is usually 8 to 12 hours. It’s often quicker (around 5 hours), in a second or third pregnancy.
When you reach the end of the 1st stage of labour, you may feel an urge to push.
When to contact us
You can contact the maternity assessment unit (triage) at any time of day or night. It is very important that you call first before arriving, so we can ensure that there is a midwife and a room ready for your arrival if needed.
Contact us at once if:
- You feel the labour is progressing. The frequency of the contractions is increasing; they are regular and longer lasting.
- You think your waters have broken. This can feel like a gush of fluid or a slow leak. If you think your waters have broken put a pad in your underwear so that you can check the colour of the fluid.
- Your baby’s movements have slowed down or stopped.
- You are bleeding.
- You need any advice or support.
The midwife will talk to you about what’s been happening and assess you over the phone. If you are coping well and not yet in established labour, they might encourage you to stay at home. If you have planned a home birth the triage midwife will contact the homebirth midwife for you.
If you come to hospital too early the midwife might advise you to go home to await events. People in the early stages of labour often progress better at home in a safe and familiar environment as it helps the body to produce the love hormone, oxytocin, which keeps labour progressing. This decision will always be made with you.
If labour doesn’t start within 24 hours of your waters breaking, you will be offered an induction to reduce the risk of infection. We will discuss the risks and benefits of having this procedure over waiting for labour to start on its own.
Giving birth to your baby (2nd Stage)
The 2nd stage of labour lasts from when your cervix is fully dilated (10cms) until the birth of your baby.
Whether you’re at home or in one of our hospitals, your midwife will stay with you and help you find a comfortable position to give birth in. We will also help you with pain relief if needed.
When your cervix is fully dilated, your baby will move further down the birth canal towards the entrance to your vagina. You may get a strong urge to push. If you’re having your first baby, this pushing stage should last no longer than 3 hours. If you’ve had a baby before, it should take no more than 2 hours.
This stage of labour is hard work, but we will help and encourage you. Your birth partner can also support you.
When your baby’s head is almost ready to come out, your midwife will guide your breathing and pushing so your baby’s head can be born slowly and gently.
Delivering the placenta (3rd stage)
The 3rd stage of labour happens after your baby is born. This is when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.
You may choose to have an injection of oxytocin in your thigh as you give birth, or soon after. This makes your womb contract and speeds up the delivery of the placenta. Or you may choose to wait for nature to take it’s course.