HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO GO?
Active labor begins when contractions are roughly 3-5 minutes apart,
last 1 minute and have been that way for 1-2 hours.
6
However, listen to your body. If you feel it's time to go to your birthing facility,
follow that instinct and/or call your care provider first, especially if your water breaks.
1 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 1.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2014): 123:693–711. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000444441.04111.1d
2 Mayo Clinic. (2013, July 18). Labor and delivery, postpartum care - Stages of labor: Baby, it's time! Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/stages-of-labor/art-20046545
3 Regan, M., McElroy, K., Iobst, S., and Lothian, J. (2015). Optimizing childbirth outcomes through adoption of healthy birth practices.
4 Childbirth Connection. (April 2011). Understanding & Navigating the Maternity Care System. Retrieved from
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/maternity-care/role-of-hormones/
5 March of Dimes. (May 2014). Vaginal birth – Stages of labor. Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/stages-of-labor.aspx
6 Lothian, J.A., McGrath, K. (2012, April 24). Your step-by-step guide to giving birth. [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.lamaze.org/StagesOfLabor
LEARN MORE ABOUT EARLY LABOR IN A LAMAZE CLASS, IN-PERSON OR ONLINE,
SO YOU CAN BE PREPARED! VISIT LAMAZE.ORG TO LEARN MORE.
KEEP CALM AND LABOR ON!
Know what to expect in early labor.
WHAT’S EARLY LABOR LIKE?
STAY CONNECTED
THERE ARE BENEFITS TO STAYING HOME
DURING LABOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE:
HOW CAN YOUR PARTNER
AND DOULA SUPPORT YOU?
DID YOU KNOW?
OH BABY! YOU JUST HAD YOUR FIRST CONTRACTION.
IS THIS IT? SHOULD YOU GRAB YOUR BIRTHING BAG AND HEAD OUT?
You may be in early labor — the phase that comes before active labor.
• Contractions are getting stronger and settling into a
regular pattern
• As contractions strengthen, you'll need to work
harder and find a rhythm
• The cervix dilates to 6 cm to prepare for birth, as the
baby moves down in your pelvis
1
• Early labor is most often the longest phase, more
than half of the total labor time
The average length of early labor is
6-12 hours for first-time parents
(early labor is usually shorter for
experienced moms).
2
It may even last 24 hours or more,
which can be perfectly normal
Gives you more
flexibility to move
freely—which can
reduce the risk of
medical interventions
3
Helps
increase the labor hormone,
oxytocin—which
allows the cervix to
thin and open
4
Oering comfort,
physical care and
reassurance
Helping time
contractions
Keeping your
mind o labor
with simple
activities, like
playing games
Focusing on
slow, deep
breathing
Using a warm
pad or ice pack
on your
lower back
Moving around
or changing
positions
Reading a
good book or
watching TV
Asking your
doula or partner
for a gentle
massage
Resting
and
relaxing
Drinking plenty
of fluids and
eating what
appeals to you
Going for
a short
walk
