First Stage of Labor:
Early Labor or Latent Labor
What you experience:
One of the first signs of labor is lightening. This is when the baby drops down into the pelvis and engages himself/herself within the pelvis. This can occur several weeks prior to labor, or can occur in the midst of labor. You will know when this happens because you will suddenly feel like you can breathe again. This extra pressure on the bladder will mean even more trips to the toilet.
The bloody show, the passing of the mucus plug, like lightening, may happen weeks before true labor or may happen at the onset. The plug is a gelatin mass of mucus, sometimes brown, pink or red in color and may or may not be accompanied with bleeding.
The bag of waters breaking can sometimes happen in early labor. If this occurs, you will give birth to your baby within 24 hours in most circumstances. The breaking of the bag may be a slight trickle or a sudden gush. Or your health care provider may have to break the bag during active labor.
The early labor contractions work to dilate the cervix to three centimeters and to completely efface or thin it out. It is during this time you should begin to time the contractions. They will be anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes apart and may last approximately 30 to 45 seconds in duration. It is not uncommon for the contractions to jump around time wise. One may be 10 minutes apart, the next 8 minutes, and the next 12 minutes.
How to cope:
Contractions during early labor are strong yet not very painful. You may feel excited and nervous about the impending birth. Try to get as much rest as possible to save your strength for the task ahead. Giving birth is a strenuous task and though you may feel energized to do something at this point, try to focus on relaxing instead. If it’s in the middle of the night try to go back to sleep.
Also eat a light snack. If you are having a hospital birth, chances are you won’t be allowed food or drink until after the birth.
Urinate frequently to help ease the discomfort of the contractions. Use this time to practice your relaxation method.
At some point during early labor if you are going to give birth in the hospital you will need to go ahead and get there. Talk with your physician about when to come to the hospital.
Much will depend on how far away you are from the hospital and your medical history.