Rest or Walk ?

[Babieseverywhere]

Just thinking about my next birth attempt, in a few weeks.

I understand that the best chance of being able to give birth is to remain upright and active as much as possible.

But midwives tell me best thing you can do when labour starts is have a pain killer and try and get some rest/sleep in preparation for the main labour.

Are both right ?

In my last labour went to bed with backache totally unaware. Went into proper labour in early morning and pains were far too strong too sleep through...just wondering really.

Well, advice I got was right at the beginning (i.e. when you can rest and ignore it) do just that - eat something, have a glass of wine and try and get some sleep.

Once you can't ignore it get up and out and about and active.

I ignored this as my waters broke first and then was desperate to get labour going so was stomping about like a mad thing from the beginning. Luckily for me I had a fast labour!

I think you have to follow you instinct. There is some sense in resting during early labour. Your body will let you know what you need to do.

It is best to avoid lying on your back during late pregnancy. Lying on your side is a good sleeping position. Or sit on a birthing ball and surf mumsnet.

Being active means changing positions very so often, rather than being super active.

Its definately a good idea to be vertial and active for the second stage. Being vertial and active for an entire labour is not necessary.

I haven't made it to the second stage on my own yet. Will I know if I get that far ?

I was pushing with an epidural for three hours with my first, no feeling at all. Never got the urge to push with my second.

I was desperate to avoid the drip for induction and ended up walking up and down the three flights of stairs outside the antenatal ward and round he carpark. It did work though and served as a good distraction from the pain. Reached 9cm nice and quick (then he was stuck, but that's irrelevant!). I was glad I walked as straightened out my back a bit between lying around on monitors.

"I haven't made it to the second stage on my own yet. Will I know if I get that far ?"

You will feel a desperate urge to poo. There is also a period of complete and utter hell called transition before the second stage. This is the point where women say they can't do it or they want to go home.

Then there is a period known as rest and be thankful where your body gives you a couple of minutes rest before the big push. It will reduce the risk of tearing if you do not push volentary. It is possible to breathe your baby out, ie your body pushes involentarily.

Try and remain at home as long as possible. In the early stages of labour try to keep your self occupied or if you are tired then try and sleep.

What are your plans for pain relief. If you are using TENS then its worth putting on at the first twinge.

I have a tens machine and a water pool for pain relief, that was enough for the first 18 hours of my last labour. Then the midwifes brought gas and air with the pool until I realised my DS was stuck (diagonally as it turns out) and wasn't coming out, so had to transfer to hospital

Well, just have to see how things go this time.

Its all depends on you, I did walk and sit, and nothing helped.

I wish I had rested more when i could as my body got too tied so i couldn't get past 3cm and had to be induced, it also made my labour very long as my body was just too tied. With hindsight i would have rested as much as possible