What To Do When Labor Begins
- Have the phone numbers of your midwife taped on the wall near your phone.
- Contact when you first think you may be in labor ie. signs of blood, extra mucous, water, regular contractions, or any "sense" that you are in labor.
- You may stay as active as you like, without exerting yourself to fatigue. It may shorten labor if you continue your daily activities until contractions require your full attention. If you start labor at night continue to try and rest between contractions until they are regular, then start timing them. Determine when they start and when they end. If you think you are in early labor, time contractions for 20-60 minutes and make a written record.
- Urinate often.
- You may want to shower, which is fine.
- Eat something light and nourishing: Whole grain toast, hot tea with honey, yogurt, rice milk, coconut water, miso or vegetable soup, fruit, or sprouts. Avoid acidic juices and spicy foods.
- Relax. If it's evening and you're tired, try to get some sleep or at least rest. If you're feeling energetic, and it's still daytime, continue with light activity. Squatting and walking are good. Don't overdo.
- Your partner, or whoever is helping, can make sure the kitchen is clean and free of clutter. Clean the bathroom, including the tub, using a good disinfectant.
- The birth bed and room should be ready with all sterile packs labeled and ready. Also a wastebasket and a five gallon bucket for laundry will be handy.
- Three large pots of water can be placed on the stove; they will be heated when the midwife arrives, to be used to warm the pool water during a waterbirth.
- If you feel that you can digest supplements, take six alfalfa tablets and some calcium and have some more tea with honey, or pure fresh water. Drinking during labor is very important.
- Be sure you're urinating often to keep your bladder empty.
- Arrangements should be made beforehand for care of other little ones in the household, freeing your partner/support person to assist you better during labor and birth.
- Enjoy your labor. Visualize your body surrounded by light. See your baby enfolded in golden light. See your cervix opening. Relax into your breathing...You can do this!
Listening to fetal heart tones