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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

What's the first thing I do at home when labour starts?

65 replies

bowgumdrop2018 · 03/07/2018 00:13

So I'm 38+3 and physically I'm ready but sitting here now mentally I don't feel prepared! So I have been sitting here thinking what is the first thing I do ? ... initially it would be great for my eaters to go and the contractions to start after then that way it's clear what's happening but I know sometimes it doesn't always go this way ! So what do I do if 1. My waters go and 2. I get contractions? my plan would be to stop what I'm doing ( if at home) time the contractions ? Then call the hospital? Then if I have time I would want a shower before leaving for the hospital..does this sound like the right way of doing things? I'm scared I don't time them correctly ect! I think I'm just going into major 'shits getting real ' meltdown but what is the first thing you do?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FogCutter · 03/07/2018 16:27

My midwife told me that when labour started I should poor myself a nice glass of red wine and relax 😂

So I did!

Firenight · 03/07/2018 16:33

First baby I was up ironing and watching Jeremy Kyle at 4am. I don’t recommend that! Baby born about 24 hours later and I was knackered and hadn’t really eaten.

Second child, I went for a walk in the morning at a local NT place and had tea and cake; came back and had a decent meal; baby born by teatime. Just got on with stuff really while keeping an eye on times.

Mainly, take it easy, hydrate, eat, keep energy levels up.

SoyDora · 03/07/2018 16:49

Yes, mine were 3 mins apart for 36 hours

Tfoot75 · 03/07/2018 17:00

Dd1 waters went during labour and I barely noticed. Dd2 they went first after going for a wee in the night, literally just kept on gushing throughout so certainly couldn’t have gone shopping! I called and went in straight away to check (didn’t need an examination as was obvious) then went home, back a few hours later. If your waters break or you have regular, strong contractions, just keep in touch with labour ward as they’ll want to know even if they don’t want you in so don’t be afraid to call.

But, if you’re having regular contractions and are still wondering if you’re in labour, chances are you aren’t! I had days if not weeks of build up of regular but not too painful contractions every evening, didnt amount to anything until the time it actually did - and I knew it when it did.

SoyDora · 03/07/2018 18:17

But, if you’re having regular contractions and are still wondering if you’re in labour, chances are you aren’t!

This is generally true, but up until about 5 mins before her DD was born, my best friend thought she had trapped wind! She was apologising to the midwives for wasting their time because she thought she’d come in for nothing, then was examined, found to be 10cmz dilated and the baby came out!

BrutusMcDogface · 03/07/2018 18:34

I sat on my birthing ball and listened to music. I'm impressed with all the things others have done whilst in labour! Mind you- with my second, I was contracting whilst on a mission to finish batch cooking! 😊

One thing I will say: a bath will not slow things down. If it's labour it won't stop with a bath, but the warm water can help relieve pain.

Good luck! I'm a few days behind you 😊

Original poster

bowgumdrop2018 · 03/07/2018 18:45

I'm actually terrified Ladies ! I think because this is my first and I just don't know what to expect..I'm scared I'm going to stay at home to long and then don't get to the hospital in time or something even though it's 10 mins up the road and also worried of going up and wasting time ! so if waters go call maternity triage and let them know ? then only go up if contractions are 3 mins apart? Obviously if I'm REALLY not coping I will go up when I feel needed even if I do go home at least that way I can be told a rough idea of what's happening.. I think it's not knowing what to expect at the time but I'm going to try and keep busy 100% as labour progresses for sure. If baby's movements slow or stop during early labour or contractions do I call the hospital as you normally would for movements?

OP posts:

cholka · 03/07/2018 19:02

Don't worry about what you'll do when labour starts, just focus on having a peaceful time now.
My labour started a few hours after a sweep, contractions a few minutes apart and there was no way I could have done any of the housewifely feats others have managed! I just lay in the bath. They were pretty intense from the get-go.

Pebblespony · 03/07/2018 19:04

Don't be worried about wasting anyone's time. That's what they're there for and it's not as if you have a baby every day, is it?

ShowOfHands · 03/07/2018 19:10

My waters broke out of the blue with DD and contractions started immediately. I finished dinner, phoned the midwife to let them know (planned homebirth), watched a film and went to bed. DD was born 31hrs later by emcs.

With DS, my waters broke in bed and I cried. A lot. Mostly through fear. I then went and got in bed with DD who was 4yrs old and fast asleep. I sobbed some more and then phoned the hospital/my mother and went to be checked over. Another planned homebirth but there were concerns over potential cord prolapse. 38hrs later, I had another emcs.

crazycatbaby · 03/07/2018 19:14

My waters went when I woke up in the morning (a couple of hours before I was due to go for a sweep). Waited a while, cancelled sweep and rang labour ward. They wanted me to come in so I bounced on a ball (contractions started quickly) until husband got back from work about an hour later and went up at lunchtime. Was only 1cm but they kept me in. He wasn't born till the next day at tea time when he was evicted via EMCS . Id say if your waters go, give them a quick ring even just so they know how long they've been gone for infection reasons. They will tell you whether to come up or not

Crocky · 03/07/2018 19:22

Labour is bloody tiring so rest and eat a little if you can to keep you going.

Pebblespony · 03/07/2018 19:24

I woke DH up, said "I think this is it!!" and phoned the hospital. Went back to DH and he was gone back asleep! He had no memory of me waking him the first time and said "Why didn't you wake me sooner"

BrutusMcDogface · 03/07/2018 19:24

If your waters go you have to call up and let them know, as they will want baby to be born within 24 hours due to risk of infection (or they'll at least want you to stay in)

I was advised that 3 contractions within 10 minutes is when you need to call up and go in. I must admit I have exactly the same concerns as you re: not getting there in time (and I'm now on my fourth baby!) last time I definitely went in too early but they let me stay. Transferring to hospital does slow things down in my experience.

BrutusMcDogface · 03/07/2018 19:28

Plus I absolutely couldn't eat a single thing in any of my labours! I had lots of (TMI) "clear outs" which is how I knew labour was on its way. I kept my energy up by drinking lucozade isotonic. With my third, when I was going through transition I was sick, so it was a good job I hadn't eaten anything! Listen to your body.

PerfectlyPosed · 03/07/2018 19:44

My waters broke at about 4am. I phoned the maternity unit and they told me to come up but at a reasonable hour. Of course there was no way I was going to go back to sleep so I had a shower and washed my hair and then painted my nails whilst watching a film I think. As it happens it was a very slow labour and DD wasn't born until late the following night.

BrutusMcDogface · 03/07/2018 19:47

I've just reread and realised I might be wrong with the water breaking/24 hour comment but I would still ring if your waters go as they'll advise you what to do!

TinyTerror1 · 03/07/2018 20:02

Brutus I've definitely read that you should be seen within 24 hours of waters breaking due to risk of infection.

DoJo · 03/07/2018 20:15

I was told to call if my waters broke so that they could check me over and be aware of infection control -they told me to come in so that they could check, despite them popping in a huge flood which was completely unmistakeable, so they checked me over and sent me home to see if contractions started/ramped up. If in doubt, ring the delivery unit and they will advise - they are so used to it that they will reassure you and help you to stay as calm as possible.

Flamingo84 · 03/07/2018 21:47

I had my first antenatal class today and we discussed this.

If your waters break make a note of the colour and any smell. Sometimes there might be flecks or pieces in it that could be baby’s first poo (can be normal in many cases so don’t worry!) and if you can call the midwifery team and tell them as much detail as possible they can give you better advice.

If you don’t have contractions for 12 hours after water breaking they’ll want you to come in to examine you. They’ll only let you go 24hrs after water breaking before they intervene as there is a risk of infection. But they will assess you and you can discuss the next step.

If you’re having contractions and your water hasn’t broken, that’s pretty normal. Ideally wait until they are 3 mins apart and 1 min long before calling. But the midwife did say, if you’re in a lot of pain or very anxious they won’t turn you away. Rather than sending you home they would suggest a walk on the hospital grounds or offer some pain relief etc. She said until your contractions are the set times apart it’s best you stay home as you can sit in comfort, distract yourself with TV and try to relax.

If you feel like you need to go, then go and they can tell you where you’re at. She said if mum’s do this it can then help them relax a bit again and re-focus

Good luck!

BrutusMcDogface · 04/07/2018 00:03

But the midwife did say, if you’re in a lot of pain or very anxious they won’t turn you away. Rather than sending you home they would suggest a walk on the hospital grounds or offer some pain relief etc.

With my first I was both in pain and anxious, and was sent home twice with paracetamol

BrutusMcDogface · 04/07/2018 00:05

Re: the first poo, if your waters are green that's also a sign. The water is meant to be pale/straw coloured and sweet smelling (the midwife did give my sanitary towel a good sniff! )

Bobbiepin · 04/07/2018 00:09

Sometimes there might be flecks or pieces in it that could be baby’s first poo (can be normal in many cases so don’t worry!)

Not to scare you, but baby pooing in utero is not normal and is something to be concerned about. It is usually a sign of distress and carries a high infection risk. If your waters are yellow or brown tinged or smell funky call the hospital immediately and let them make that call. I had this with DD and was kept in from 2cm, after she was born she needed SCBU and had a minor infection. All was fine in the end but we were kept in for 4 days and has 2 hourly obs round the clock. Meconium is not something to take lightly.

BrutusMcDogface · 04/07/2018 00:13

Yes, what Bobbie said. My friend's boy was in special care after being distressed and pooing during labour.

grace7 · 04/07/2018 00:41

My labour started at 41wks, I pretty much knew it immediately. I hadn't had any braxton hicks prior to this, which probably made the contractions easier to identify. I went upstairs to bed and about half an hour later I was experiencing very strong contractions about 5 minutes apart (already), I phoned the hospital and they suggested I take some paracetamol (did nothing😂) and stay at home as they couldn't admit me to the labour wars until I was 4cm dilated. I was unable to sleep and the contractions grew stronger and closer together so I phoned the hospital again after about an hour. They told me to come in. I was almost 5cm dilated when I arrived at about 4am which was about 1.5 hour after my first contraction, mucous plug came out around 6am, waters broke around 7am and then my son was born at 9:16am. My labour from beginning to end was around 6/7 hours. I think you just kind of know when it's the real thing.

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