Changing activity might cause the contractions to go away or occur more often. You might experience them for several hours before they subside, or you might have them off and on for several days. Try to get as much rest as you can, even if the contractions wake you. Stay well hydrated and continue to eat. Ginny's baby started moving lower in her pelvis about three weeks before her due date. She started noticing a little stringy mucous a few times a day. She felt a lot of pressure in her pelvis, shifting positions in bed got harder, and sitting for any length of time became uncomfortable.
She felt the pressure even more when she walked. Her family all commented that the baby had dropped. She wondered how much longer she would have to feel this uncomfortable before her baby was born. Lorinda began to notice a pattern of contractions every evening about a week before her due date. Some of the contractions were painful enough that she thought labor was starting, but after a few hours they would subside.
She called her midwife to ask if this was normal, as she had not experienced contractions like these before her first baby. Her midwife assured her that it was normal and suggested some coping techniques, including drinking plenty of liquids, adding a rest period in the afternoon, and taking a warm bath when the contractions started in the evening.
Ginny's doctor and Lorinda's midwife both assured these women that everything was normal, and that when things were normal, it was best to wait to go into labor and to use measures such as massage, hydrotherapy, warm packs, and Reiki to make themselves as comfortable as possible while they waited. In addition to the natural physical preparation, you may also find yourself doing some emotional preparation. You may feel a strong need to be ready and want to tackle some last-minute projects.
Take it easy with these and pace yourself. Save your energy spurt for labor! You might find yourself worrying more than usual, and these worries might change. You might be concerned about making it through labor, whether your water will break in public, whether your own midwife or doctor will be on call when you go into labor, whether your partner will really be able to help you, or even whether you will have a bowel movement during the birth and how your partner might react to that.
You might be worried about the safety of you and your baby during birth. You might be worried about having a cesarean section. You might even worry about dying. These concerns are common. If you find that you are unable to relax because of worries, try to find a time each day to reflect on and acknowledge them. Call it your "worry time. Childbirth professionals often refer to the following factors influencing labor progression as the "Four Ps" of labor:. We don't fully understand what makes labor start, but changing levels of hormones influence the softening and preparation of the cervix and the onset of contractions.
The contractions that you might have noticed before labor get stronger and more regular. Your uterus is actually made up of layers of muscles-some that go around the uterus and some that go up and down. The contractions of these muscles pull on the cervix and help to open it and put pressure on the baby, helping the baby move downward.
Pressure from the baby's head against the cervix during contractions also helps to thin and open the cervix. To help you picture this, imagine putting on a turtleneck shirt. The neck is thick and smaller than the body of the shirt, but stretches as you pull it over your head, becoming thinner and more open. During early labor , the contractions gradually get closer together and stronger.
If your midwife or doctor checks your cervix, you might learn that it has changed from a previous office visit or previous exam, but it is normal to have slow dilation and effacement during this phase. Most women prefer to spend early labor at home, as they have freedom to move about, use their shower or tub, eat, and watch TV or movies. Most doctors and midwives also agree that the best place for a woman in early labor is at home.
This early phase of labor is the most variable in length and most difficult to predict. For some women, it might pass so quickly that it is almost unnoticed, while for others, it could last for more than a day. During active labor , the contractions are strong and regular, usually occurring every three to five minutes. You will find that you need to concentrate on each contraction.
Your cervix begins to change more quickly, and it is easier to predict the length of time that this phase will last. Various researchers have estimated lengths of between five and ten hours for first-time mothers and between two and eight hours for women who have already had children. Try to rest and conserve your energy. Consider using progressive relaxation, imagery, positive affirmations, and emotional support to help relieve anxieties and encourage the progression of labor.
More tips for relaxing and preparing are covered here. Try to relax. You don't know how much time will pass before birth, and it is best to start labor well rested. However, the onset of labor is often accompanied by a burst of adrenaline, and you might find that you are too excited to sleep.
See some of the relaxation tips below. If it is daytime, alternate periods of activity with periods of rest, conserving your energy as much as possible for the active labor to come. Review the sections What About Pain?
Here are some additional suggestions:. Your emotional wellbeing is as important during active labor as your physical wellbeing. Fear, anxiety, and excitement can all trigger the release of adrenalin, which can slow your labor progress. Talk about your feelings with your partner and other support persons. Progressive relaxation, imagery, positive affirmations, and good emotional support can all help relieve anxieties and encourage the progression of labor.
In general, most providers and most laboring women agree that early labor is best spent at home. If this is your first baby, you might consider waiting until the contractions are three minutes apart before calling your provider or hospital, but if you have had children in the past or live far from the hospital, then use the five-minute guideline. You have freedom of movement at home, may use the bathtub, rest in your own bed, watch movies, and eat and drink.
If you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy, your provider will probably tell you something like, "Call me or the hospital when the contractions are three to five minutes apart and have been that way for more than an hour. If this is your first baby, you might consider waiting until the contractions are three minutes apart before calling, but if you have had children in the past or live far from the hospital, then use the five-minute guideline.
However, the frequency of your contractions and the length of time you have been having them are not the only factors that may help you decide when it is time to go to the hospital. The strength of the contractions and your emotional state are also a consideration.
As labor progresses, you may find that you pass from excitement to a serious phase of work. Many women worry about going to the hospital "too soon" and being sent home, and this is especially hard when you are having a baby for the first time.
It is okay to go to the hospital, be evaluated, and then return home. Remember that home is the best place for early labor. It is usually light yellow. If it is green or red, tell your maternity team since this could mean the baby is having problems.
If your waters have broken but you have not started having regular contractions within 24 hours, you may need your labour to be induced because there is a risk of infection. Your midwife or doctor will talk to you about this. Movies often show women suddenly being struck by painful contractions and rushing to hospital.
In real life, many women are not sure if they have actually started their labour. You may feel restless, have back pain or period-like pain, or stomach disturbances such as diarrhoea. Labour officially begins with contractions, which start working to open up the cervix. You should phone your midwife when your contractions start, although you probably won't be encouraged to come to the hospital or birthing centre until your contractions are closer together. Your pelvis is located between your hip bones.
Women typically have wider, flatter pelvises than men, as well as a wider pelvic cavity hole to allow a baby to pass through. The organs sitting in a woman's pelvis include the uterus, cervix and vagina, which are held together by a group of muscles. During childbirth, the muscles at the top of your uterus press down on the baby's bottom. Your baby's head then presses on your cervix which, along with the release of the hormone oxytocin see 'How hormones help you give birth', below , brings on contractions.
Your cervix should dilate so your baby can pass through it. Your pelvis has bones and ligaments that move or stretch as the baby travels into the vagina. Your baby also has spaces between the skull bones called 'sutures', and the gaps where the sutures meet on the skull are called fontanelles.
This allows for the baby's head to mould as the skull bones meet or overlap, allowing it to fit more easily as it travels through your pelvis.
Your body produces hormones that trigger changes in your body before, during and after childbirth. Here's how they work to help you deliver your baby. Sometimes, labour needs to be induced or started. There are a few ways to induce labour , including the mother being offered synthetic prostaglandin. This is inserted into the vagina to soften the cervix and start contractions. If contractions slow down or stop during labour, the mother may be offered synthetic oxytocin from a drip to increase the contractions.
In both these cases contractions can come on strongly and more pain relief may be needed. Your maternity team should explain the benefits and risks of this with you before you agree to it. The eyedrops and vitamin K can wait a little while. You and your partner will want to share this special time with each other as you get acquainted with your new baby and revel in the miracle of birth. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. FAQ How to tell when labor begins. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. March of Dimes.
Stages of labor. Mayo Clinic. Labor and birth. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Jonathan Dimes. How long does giving birth take? First stage of labor The first stage of labor has three phases: Early labor: Your cervix gradually effaces thins out and dilates opens to about 6 centimeters cm by the end of this phase.
The Lamaze technique is the most widely used method in the United States. The Lamaze philosophy teaches that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process and that women should be empowered to approach it with confidence.
Lamaze classes educate women about the ways they can decrease their perception of pain, such as through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, distraction, or massage by a supportive coach. Lamaze takes a neutral position toward pain medicine, encouraging women to make an informed decision about whether it's right for them. The Bradley method also called Husband-Coached Birth emphasizes a natural approach to birth and the active participation of the baby's father as birth coach.
A major goal of this method is the avoidance of medicines unless absolutely necessary. The Bradley method also focuses on good nutrition and exercise during pregnancy and relaxation and deep-breathing techniques as a method of coping with labor. Although the Bradley method advocates a medicine-free birth experience, the classes do discuss unexpected complications or situations, like emergency cesarean sections. A variety of pain medicines can be used during labor and delivery, depending on the situation.
Many women rely on such medicines, and it can be a huge relief when pain is quickly eased and energy can be focused on getting through the contractions. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of each type of medicine. Analgesics ease pain, but don't numb it completely.
They can be given many ways. If they are given intravenously through an IV into a vein or through a shot into a muscle, they can affect the whole body. These medicines can cause side effects in the mother, including drowsiness and nausea. They also can have effects on the baby.
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