What did you do when you went in to labour?

[Hodge85]

Hi,

I'm 38 weeks today and I was just thinking to myself, what do I do when I go in to labour? Obviously, this may seem like a stupid question but I'm not sure on how to prepare myself. I know to ring the hospital to let them know but I was wondering what would I do after that? Do I have a bath, what should I wear in preparation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated x

It depends really, labour tends to start slowly for most people, especially FTMs. I was woken up at 4am with cramping that got worse over the next two hours so I couldn't sleep. Got up at 6am and called the MLU but they said I didn't need to come in until my contractions were x length apart and x seconds long, roughly. I had a midwife appt that morning anyway at the GP appt so I went to that as normal, bounced on my birth ball before, and used my TENS machine. Midwife said I was 2cm and did a sweep, I was 39+6, and reiterated the MLU advice. It was a looong day as my contractions very slowly got longer and closer together and more and more painful. I used my TENS the whole day, think I took some paracetamol too, I also had a warm bath which was really helpful. I had diarrea, and felt nauseous. I drank as normal and I did eat but not as I normally would due to nausea. I called the MLU at 10/10.30pm at night tearful as struggling to deal with the pain and exhaustion, they said they didn't think I was in active labour but if I wanted to I could come in and they could examine me and at the least they could give me codeine for the pain. Did that and they said I was only 3cm but that I could stay in if I wanted but they wouldn't give me any pain relief other than codeine and antiemetics to stop the vomiting which had then started. I vomited them up I think anyway as I vomited shortly after. Anyway stayed in and the rest is history as DD was born the next morning on the delivery suite.

Dont do what I did... I started with a bleed, rang hospital, they told me I had to have an ambulance sent due to bleed... It was 11pm, DH was working away, DS was asleep... I called my parents and DH, then to keep busy followed this up with have a quick wash, put maternity pads in to stop bleeding going onto clothes, changed into looser bottoms, made DS his packed lunch for school, laid his uniform and sports bags out for next day, wrote him a note saying I'll see you soon, love you etc then still waiting I washed pots and put washing in lol

Felt some twinges and went out for lunch with a friend (it was planned). Dd1 arrived 36 hrs later. I am glad I didn’t get in the bath too early!

My waters broke at 11pm and they asked me to come in to check they had actually gone (not sure why. I imagine now they will take your word for it considering the situation). Then I tried and failed to sleep. As contractions started and progressed over the following day I bounced on my ball, ate lunch and dinner, tried to drink water, went for a walk, took a very long bath with nice music while I counted contractions, watched a back to the future movie, and made hubbie cook and pack pasta for himself. The food is INCREDIBLY important. I was in labour for 37 hours in hospital. DH was wall fallen as I was desperate for him not to leave me. He was in a worse state after birth than I was. Make DH/DP bring LOTS of food for himself.

I would recommend not going in until you cant talk through the contractions. I went in too early, but my labour was insanely lon. But the midwives will guide you on that.

Main thing is walk, keep calm, eat, drink a lot, and breath. Best of luck!

Paced up and down, bounced on my ball a bit. Had my weetabix as I figured it was going to be a big day. That came back later!

Lay in the garden for a bit, tried to get some sleep, crawled around during contractions. Wanted to watch Sunshine on Leith but couldn’t find the DVD. DH said that as contractions were around every 4 minutes probably wasn’t worth looking. Tried to time contractions with my phone app. Found that quite hard! Used the TENS machine. Got in the bath when the midwives suggested it on the phone.

Wore a stretchy maternity dress and actually was fully dilated and pushing on arrival so ended up giving birth in that. Later wore the same dress to my work Christmas party! DH has a super soft T-Shirt that says “The Maximum Effort” which I wanted to wear for giving birth but it never happened!

Hope it goes well!

I started with mild contractions at 3am ish so I tried to go back to sleep for a bit. Dozed on and off until 7:30 when I woke DH up and told him I thought I was in labour. Things ramped up during the next hour so I started making arrangements for 2 yr old DD (and spent a lot of time on the loo 💩). I phoned hospital when contractions were 3 mins apart as we live 30 mins from hospital. They said they were busy and I should try to stay home for another couple of hours or so. By 9:30 I phoned back and said contractions were really strong, 2 mins apart and we were coming in anyway. I arrived at 10:25, was found a room and was examined at 11:00 where I was told I was 8-9cm dilated. DC2 was born at 11:30.
After he was born they needed my delivery room ASAP so I was sent to wait in the triage waiting room until a bed became available on the ward. The lady who had arrived at the same time as me when I came in was still waiting to be examined and I was sat with DC2 there, having already given birth and had a bath

I watched about eight films sitting on a birthing ball while DH brought drinks and snacks. Contractions started at 4 a.m. and I went to hospital at 9 p.m.

Next time, I will try my level best to get some sleep. By my estimate I went about 42 hours without sleep- it did not do wonders for my mental health!

Woke at 2am with contractions. Timed them for an hour then woke my husband. Phoned maternity unit who said take paracetamol and try to rest. Dozed on and off until 10am, had a hot bath, had some toast, took.more paracetamol and sat on a birthing ball watching Friends on Netflix for 6 hours until the contractions were too strong to be relaxed at home and went to hospital at 6pm. Daughter was born 6am!! Was 5cm when I got to hospital. It was a loooooong 27 hours.

My waters went at 4am in the morning. Was in bed and felt a pop. Immediately jumped out of the bed (where the expensive newly purchased for such an occasion mattress protector was) and waters gushed all over the landing floor! Should have stayed in bed and saved the cost of the new carpet in the landing!

I started with pains at around 6am that gradually got worse throughout the morning. I actually had a GP appointment booked for the afternoon for something else and cancelled it because when it got to around noon I couldn’t sit still when I got these pains and didn’t want to make a fool of myself. I bounced on a Swiss ball and paced a lot, leaning over on the worktop when they were bad.

At no point did I assume this was the beginning of labour and I was only 8 days off my due date! .

At around 3pm the pains were getting worse, and more than likely closer together. I took some paracetamol, still I didn’t think it was labour. I got in the bath and didn’t get out for hours, just kept letting the water out and topping it up with hot water. At around 9pm I couldn’t take it anymore and thought ‘I might be in the early stages of labour’. I phoned the Labour ward and they said well it might be labour, you can come in and get checked if you want. I went in and at around 10pm I was 8-9cm dilated. I was relieved most of it was out of the way to be honest.

I can’t remember what I was wearing. I know I hadn’t eaten all day and had ketones in my urine so they brought me tea and toast which I couldn’t face. Later on I was ravenous and ate a pack of fig rolls and loads of mini cheddars.

First time round I was too hyped up to sleep. Waters broke at around 9.30pm so I'd already been awake for 14hrs and then had a very long labour and was consequently awake for 50hrs at which point I was post emcs and had a newborn to care for. It was a very difficult time.

Second time round, waters again broke late evening and I had to go and be checked (risk of cord prolapse) but as DS was fine, I insisted on going home (they advised against it as contractions were close together but I'd had 24hrs of that first time round so wasn't worried). I then slept as much a possible, rested, ate Chinese takeaway and cuddled dc1. I was in labour for 38hrs before I had another emcs so was glad I slept as much as possible.

First time round, panicked and phoned the hospital, got told to come in and be seen, got sent home straight away. Managed to take a warm bath and snooze for a bit then went back 4 hours later and had to argue my way into the room as i 'didn't sound in enough pain to be in active labour'. Well 5 minutes after i got on the bed I gave birth!

2nd time round, i trusted my body. Made it to the birthing unit with 3 minutes to spare. But felt a lot more comfortable and had a better birthing experience as i was more relaxed.

I've told my dh if we have any more i'm opting for a home birth 😂

Ultimately, and as twee as it sounds, trust in your body. Yes they may tell you to only phone or go in when you've got x amount of time between contractions, but if you're in too much pain or nervous and want reassurance please go in and be seen. The worst they can do is send you home.

Regarding clothing, something you feel comfortable in. It might end up getting mucky, my babies were in my arms straight away and i definitely chucked my tops out afterwards. Due to my quick births i hardly had time to sort my clothing out, gave birth sans trousers and pants but with my socks still on! If you are planning on breastfeeding a comfortable nursing bra and top would help massively. Even if bottle feeding a comfy supportive top and bra might help with breast tenderness. Comfy trousers and knickers to wear afterwards are a must as well!

Good luck

Started with pains enough to wake me up at 5.13am. Got up, went in the shower and straightened my hair 😂 (first baby).

Just kept breathing through and timing. The hospital said I didn't need to go in until it was a certain time apart. Had been booked for an induction at 2pm that day so they said it might just be me seeing them sooner. Had two paracetamol and alternated between walking about, lying in bed eating Haribo watching Homes Under the Hammer, ball sitting or crouching over breathing everytime there was a pain!

Decided it wasn't too pleasant anymore at lunch time so OH said he'd take me in. Got into hospital for just before 2pm, examined and thought I was 8cm at first but more senior MW told me 5. Lost bloody show soon after and was crouched on the floor with my sweaty face in the big cotton nightshirt I was supposed to be wearing when waters broke. It all went a bit off plan as baby pooed in my waters so couldn't go in the pool, then I was getting dehydrated so they wanted me on the bed to monitor him. Felt like my body was taking over and just pushing him out for me without my control and couldn't have pain relief as it was putting me off. MW told me not to push as it would damage my cervix as I wasn't ready, big surprise when they realised I was!
20 minutes of active pushing and he was born at 4.13pm.

Trust in yourself, your body will take over if you can try and keep as calm as possible. Just go with what you feel you need, it's your labour 💕

Don’t listen when everyone’s says first time deliveries take ages. Trust your instincts go when you need to as a car journey with really bad contractions would not be fun. I had a homebirth but I couldn’t have imagined having to move from where I was and my labour was quick. Wear something loose and comfortable. Water is amazing but don’t get in to early as it can slow things down but a shower is okay. Keep moving and try and distract yourself as much as you can. Watch your favourite film, eat and drink to keep your energy up and mostly try and relax. Good luck x

My waters went at 5.30am and that kick started contractions as well. So got up, ready, went for breakfast at a local cafe then to Asda then Costa 🤣