Labour

Women are often unsure when labour has been established and, if they plan to give birth in a hospital, when they should leave home. You may want to call your doctor or midwife for advice, before going to the hospital. You may have worked out a plan with your care provider to stay at home during early labour, and have agreed on the stage at which you should come to the hospital. It is often more comfortable to spend the early stages of labour at home. Trust your instincts. If anything seems unusual, report it to your doctor or midwife.

The two main signs of labour are contractions and pinkish mucus, which is discharged from your vagina. It should not contain obvious blood or clots. Timing your contractions can help you determine when labour has been established. Other signs of approaching labour may include:

• contractions that weaken or vary in strength over time
• contractions that weaken or stop altogether when you move around
• contractions that are irregular and never settle into a pattern
• loose stools
• crampiness
• your water breaking

Established labour may begin with contractions that:

• get steadily stronger
• make your uterus grow harder
• continue to get stronger even when you move around
• become quite regular and predictable over a period of about 30 minutes
• are between 30 and 70 seconds long

The length and strength of each contraction is as important a sign as how far apart contractions are. In general, once the contractions start coming every four to five minutes, last 45 to 60 seconds, and demand your attention, this is when you should either get ready to leave home, if you intend to deliver in a hospital or other birthing facility, or call your midwife, if you are using a midwife. 

If labour is not demanding your attention, try to sleep or relax, or continue with your regular activities. Once labour is well established, you can move it along by staying upright and active.

Established labour has several stages. Begin to use breathing techniques for relaxation. Try a warm bath (or jacuzzi) or a hot milky drink. Remember the positions you have learned during prenatal class. Taking a shower feels great. Make sure you have someone around to help if you take a shower or bath. If it is night, rest for as long as possible. Don't worry, you won't sleep through labour!

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