Knitting during labour

[MissLolita]

I recognise this might be a very stupid question (but I figure that is a benefit of MN), but is there any part of labour that you could knit in? I've seen recommendations on here to take magazines so I wondered if knitting might be a distraction for some of it. Apologies if this is a completely daft question! If not knitting does anyone have any other suggestions? Music?

Don't think so love . Even music gets on your nerves in all stages of labour. There is no way you'll be able to concentrate on knitting!

I knitted most of a sweater for dh during my labour with ds1. That said, it was a fairly long, slow labour (20 hours or so). I was probably able to knit for the first 15 hours.

As much as I like knitting, for labour I recommend sucking on gas and air and walking around a lot.

Imagine the garment you would make and explaining it to people - I started here quite sanely, cast on 60 and kept it in garter stitch... and this enormous pile of mangled wool is where I was 6cm dilated... this is the bit where I offered to strangle my husband...

Yes, in early labour. Especially if you have a very slow start. I played scrabble for a bit. Had to get up and walk around the room when I had a contraction, but it helped to have something trivial to concentrate on so I wasn't worrying too much.

Music- definitely. Take a wide range as it's difficult to know in advance what kind of mood will appeal to you.

Admittedly mine was a home birth, I doubt I would have been in hospital for that bit even if I had planned to give birth there.

My sweater's good too [defensive]!

I could quite fancy a thread of 'Links to pictures of stuff made whilst in labour'.

(Mess on Asda floor pre-emtively banned)

Thank you! I wasn't thinking about tackling some fair isle or lace, just a bit of light knitting, and I was thinking early stages rather than at the end :) glad I'm not the only one though!

Your tension might end up a bit haywire, just so long as you aren't planning on an heirloom piece.

I was just thinking about the same thing tonight! I reckon it'll suit me during early labour. When the pins are abandoned I'll know it's time to head to the hospital.

Am embarrassed to admit I did actually knit during early labour with my second child. Not complicated stuff, just trying to finish a jumper for the new baby as I figured I would have much less time after the baby arrived. Had abandoned it before I went into the hospital, let alone the birthing pool...

I think its depends who you are, if you want to knit then try it. Why not

I knew someone who went through most of the first stage of labour at home in the potting shed, potting up her summer vegetables. So each to their own I say.

i read somewhere that knitting softens the cervix. no idea how and a fairly woo concept even for me .

You could if you end up with an epidural and don't feel a thing.....I think might be far too tempting to shove the needle where it hurts in OH though at some point

i had a long labour with DS1 and could have knitted, but DS2 was fast and painful very quickly. i could only just manage to time the contractions with the online thing. i think if you have it to hand and you feel like doing it then great. if you don't feel like it at the time don't do any. whatever make you happy.

I'm planning on at least trying it while I wait for labour to get so intense that I can't concentrate anymore. Although it'll probably be something simple like squares for a baby blanket.

This thread has cracked me up!
Think if you have a nice slow start a bit of knitting might be just the ticket.

Reckon this is the perfect pattern to knit in labour:
knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwomb.html

My mum taught me to crochet in the final weeks of my first pregnancy so I could while away the hours of waiting, and If you look at the VERY rubbish scarf I made you can see every braxton hick I had!!

I finished the ironing when in very early pre-labour with DD, and we did the Guardian crossword during the later stages (3-6cm).
I'd agree that if you get an epidural (and it works well) then you may well feel like knitting, the whole point is that you remain completely compos mentis.

The early stages of labour with DD1 I did lots of most spinning(on a wheel with wool, not the crazy fitness stuff) but I was having to get up and pace the length of the sitting room every now and then. When my contractions got to 5 mins apart and stopped we walked to wicks to choose a new back door (little did I know I was in transition) ... to cut a long story short I arrived in hospital 9cm dilated and ready to deliver - just don't let your activities distract you from the job in hand !!! (or believe the MWs who tell you not to come in until your contractions are 3 mins apart - almost impossible to get into a car seat at that stage)