Stay home in your early labor. Remember first time births tend to be longer, so it could be a while. Also a majority of babies are born after their ‘due date’ the first time. (Heed Warning Signs for exceptions)
Rest or sleep as much as possible in the early hours. Don’t worry if it is not “perfect” or uninterrupted sleep. Move to a comfy chair or sofa with pillows propping you on side if that feels better. Rest between contractions when they start waking you up.Use distractions and mild activity when rest isn’t working as well.
Keep the environment calm, quiet and peaceful. Close the birth room door in hospital. Bring LED candles. Use the bath or shower a lot. Try posting your Affirmations for Labor on Cards around your home weeks or months before your due date. Repeat them internally often.
Eat whatever appeals to you in early labor and again snack in stage 2 or pushing. Eating in labor is evidence based. Try to minimize acidic foods.
Drink frequently. No need to “over-hydrate”. Drink throughout labor. Try fruit flavored water, Raspberry Leaf Tea, Coconut Water or whatever appeals. Support person offer drink and refill often. (Also support person stay hydrated!).
Partner and support person/doula stay tuned in to what mom needs. Reassurance, massage, physical support and position ideas, run a bath, bring snacks and fluids, encouragement, advocacy, accept mom’s natural need for reassurance and confidence reminders.
Discuss and write down your Birth Preferences for your team. Have partner/support person and doula remind you and advocate for you. Provide a copy to hospital staff. Be sure each new nurse, MD or Midwife reads and understands Mom’s preferences. Discuss any questions or differences in proposed care.
Once contractions are harder continue to get upright and move hips around, lean forward, lean onto pillows/birth ball, kneel, squat or anything to help move the body and allow baby to navigate the pelvis.
Push in upright positions: kneeling, dangle, squatting with squat bar, lean over back of bed. Follow your body and baby’s lead and don’t hold breath (starves baby of oxygen). Allow baby’s head to “ease” out in order to reduce tearing. Be sure team allows a “2 step birth process” where after head is born there is a brief few moments until body turns and follows head out.(reduces harm to mother and baby).
Ensure you are receiving Evidence Based care. Ask you Key Questions (partners or support person will have to do this when mom is in labor) about any tests or procedures suggested to minimize risks to mother and baby.