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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Things to do during early labour!

18 replies

rahrahrahblah · 02/09/2012 21:04

With ds I woke with contractions at 8am but stayed at home with my tens machine until about 5pm. During this time I stayed in our bedroom and watched films and tv while drinking smoothies. I watched the home and away omnibus, then parent trap ....after that it gets a bit hazy Grin. This time around I don't have a tv, we haven't had one for two years, but I'm thinking that perhaps I should get some box sets to watch on the laptop during early labour. Any suggestions of great shows I've missed in the past two years? I loved Lost, if that's any help. I think Downton Abbey and Homeland sound good.

Other people I have spoken to have often saved a job to do during early labour, like cleaning out a wardrobe for example. But I really want to be all organised before dc2 arrives. But any suggestions of small easy to do but distracting jobs would be appreciated. Perhaps I could batch cook, or perhaps that would be too challenging at the time.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Adviceinscotland · 02/09/2012 21:05

Remember your 2nd labour may be a lot quicker than the first!

rahrahrahblah · 02/09/2012 21:11

Oh yes, forgot about that!!

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PartialToACupOfMilo · 02/09/2012 21:17

An old uni friend of mine had arrived the night before I went into labour with dc1 (dc earlier than expected!) so I spent the day chatting with her and trying to time the contractions - which never fell into a pattern. We spent most of the time trying to work out whether I actually was in labour as it didn't go how the books said it would.

This time I'm not planning much other than ringing my sister to come and look after dd, then hopefully reading my book for a while. Last time it was 6hrs from waking up in the morning to holding baby, so not planning on having much time at all this time. Probably turn out to be 2 weeks overdue and take 3 days to deliver having said that! Hmm

Badgerina · 02/09/2012 23:48

Not being funny or anything, but Homeland is really nervy, and might not be the best thing to watch in early labour. Something a bit more benign/relaxing would be better IMO.

hzgreen · 03/09/2012 08:14

if you loved Lost you probably didn't make it to the end of the last series? i haven't got a labor tips but 30 Rock or community are really funny and lighthearted. of course it depends on your sense of humour but i would really recommend them, you can get lost in them but you don't have to concentrate too much.

ZuleikaD · 03/09/2012 08:37

I needed something gripping to take my mind off it all - spent the night on all fours on the bed reading a Lee Child novel in between contractions.

milk · 03/09/2012 09:06

Have you seen Heroes?

MrsReiver · 03/09/2012 09:17

I wouldn't watch anything that's too involved otherwise you won't be able to follow it - I watched Coyote Ugly when I was in early labour. I'd seen it before so didn't have to concentrate. Big Bang Theory? Friends is another one you can watch over again without needing to pay attention.

Badgerina · 03/09/2012 10:47

Big Bang Theory! Curb Your Enthusiasm :)

Homebird8 · 03/09/2012 10:59

I got a jigsaw to do in early labour but ended up finishing the curtains I was making and it never made its way out of the cellophane wrapping before DS2 made his way out of me!

Pmoz · 03/09/2012 11:05

I watched everybody loves Raymond whilst walking around and stretching for the first one. I didn't have any time to do anything for the second one except get myself to the hospital !

WantAnOrange · 03/09/2012 11:35

Heroes is really good!

Do you have a hobby, like knitting or painting or playing the xbox?

Go out for a walk, this has the added benefit of possibly speeding things up a little.

MrsMarigold · 03/09/2012 11:39

I went out to dinner with my husband to somewhere really nice.

rahrahrahblah · 03/09/2012 12:02

MrsMarigold - You went out for dinner!! I would not have been capable of that! Ds was five days early and I was supposed to have my hair cut. Having realised I wouldn't be able to drive there I decided to walk into the village. I ended up doubled over hanging off a fence Grin. Dh had to phone and say sorry my wife can't make her hair appt but she's giving birth Grin (although technically ds wasn't born for another 14 hours)!

I did see the end of Lost (not in the UK and I know it was on later in the UK). 30 Rock sounds good, I'm sure I've heard good things about it. My brother likes Heroes I think, is it a bit old, I mean not on right now? I would probably like it as I loved Lost and Buffy! I think things like community and big bang theory (seen bits and pieces of both at my in laws) wouldn't be gripping enough, I thought if I had something amazing to watch I would barely even notice contractions [deluded emoticon] which is why I suggested Homeland (I saw one episode of it at my in laws and instantly wanted to watch the series!). But on the other hand I watched a Home and Away omnibus last time so maybe I don't need gripping stuff during labour Grin.

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rahrahrahblah · 03/09/2012 12:06

Zuileka - I hadn't thought about reading, a trashy novel or a crime thriller might be a possibility.

On saying all this I'll probably have a 20 mins labour this time around! Best laid plans and all that.

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milk · 04/09/2012 11:42

Just finished watching Season 1 of Downton Abbey- it is certainly not captivating like Lost is... to be honest it is quite slow but it is pleasant.

Mikyahrose · 04/09/2012 12:32

Tru Blood is really good - its about vampires. Alot of sex and gore. And its got Vinne from Home and Away (life guard was married to Leah) in it and he's pretty dishy. :)

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