Pregnant? You might be starting to think about what happens when you go into labor. Questions like, when will I know its happening?! When will I need to go to the hospital/go to the birthing center or call my midwife to come to me?
Lots of questions will be swirling around in your head. Let’s see if I can help answer a few of your questions with this blog post and if I can’t please visit my contact page HERE and I can answer more of your questions.
Your first question might be, “how will I know when I am in labor?”
And if you have asked providers that question they might just tell you, “Oh you will know.” Let’s be honest that’s not a helpful response. Here are 4 of signs that your body is preparing to go into labor
- You might have diarrhea
- Your mucus plug might fall out – a collection of mucus that forms in your cervix. It prevents bacteria or infection from entering your uterus and reaching your baby.
- Bloody show – small amount of blood in your underwear.
- Irregular contractions.
What does a contraction feel like?!
If you are a first-time mom you might think, “what does a contraction feel like?” If you have ever had period cramps it feels like those! Your uterus contracts when you are in labor and it feels like someone is taking your insides and squeezing them. Bad description but it’s true haha!
Once you start to feel these contractions. Start to time them. How long do you feel the contraction and how long is the break in between contractions? If you can time these contractions and they are consistent in timing you are in labor! Woohoo!
Now when do you need to go to the hospital or text your midwife if you are having a home birth? If you are having a home birth tell your midwife right away. They will direct you on what will happen next. If you are leaving your home for a hospital birth I recommend waiting for the 1-5 rule. Contraction lasts 1 minute and has a break of 5 minutes ib between contractions. OR if you need pain relief then go sooner. If you are trying for a natural birth in the hospital I recommend waiting and using the 1-5 rule.
Have you heard the term effaced and dilated?
They use these terms a lot at visits with your care provider. They check this more in hospitals. This is what it means- Effaced means how thin your cervix is getting. Dilated means how wide your cervix is getting. When your body is ready to have a baby your cervix will be dilated to a 10 and you will be 100%.
What happens after I go into labor?
There are 3 stages of labor!
Stage One
- Early labor – The contractions last 30 – 60 seconds. They are about 5-20 minutes apart. You can be in early labor for up to 12 hours. This is when your cervix is dilating from a 0 cm-6 cm.
- Active labor – this is when you will feel the contractions getting more intense. The contractions last 45-60 seconds long. They are about 2-5 minuets apart. This is when your cervix is dilating from a 6 cm-8 cm. This can last up to 6 hours.
- Transition- Contractions are 60-90 seconds long and come every 2-3 minutes. Your cervix is dilating from a 8 cm-10cm!
Stage Two: Pushing – Birth of the baby.
You will still be having contractions as your baby comes down the birth canal. Your uterus is pushing the baby out with each wave of contraction. If you have an epidural it might be hard to feel how to push. But give it your best shot. You want to bring down a lot of your push towards are bottom. Push with your contractions. Work as a team with your body.
If you do not have an epidural you will be able to feel this instinct kick in. The need to push. Get into a position you can push in the best. Try different ones! Most women don’t like to push on their back. Note: if you have an epidural you have to push on your back. If you don’t try hands and knees, try squatting. Most hospital beds have a squatting bar. Try something different with each contraction to see what works best for you.
Stage Three: The Birth of the Placenta
Once you have your baby you might be thinking, “thank goodness! Im done!” But, not quite. Once the baby is out you will then have to deliver your placenta. It is a soft tissue that will just feel weird coming out. Not painful. BUT more care providers will rub on your tubbing hard to get your uterus to contract and stop bleeding, and also to help the placenta come down and out. Once it’s out you’re almost done. The care provider will make sure you don’t need stitches. And either stitch you up or tell you, you don’t need any.
I hope your labor goes well and everything ends up safe and happy. Please visit my other blogs HERE to help you with any other question about pregnancy, birth and recovery.