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

[bowgumdrop2018]

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?

Don’t be terrified OP :) I agree with pps about “you’ll know when you know”- I found that extremely frustrating advice, then it happened, and it was true! Don’t worry about wasting time- it’s exactly what the maternity wards are for, they’re the professionals and keeping them updated can save you or baby’s life if things go a little pear shaped. They won’t, I’m sure- but just in case. Internet advice is only good for so much.

My midwife spoke at length before the birth (I was very worried) about the balance between oxytocin and adrenaline. The former is needed to progress labour, the latter can slow it down. So once things get going, the best thing to do is stay relaxed.
This info was useless to me once the time came- I found the contractions so painful, if I’m completely honest. But I tried to do all the calm breathing, visualisations, etc. and kept in touch with maternity unit. You’re going to be great, and you’ll have a lovely baby at the end of it! :)

Carry on like normal until you’re not able to... utilise shower, bath, going for a walk, birthing ball, position changes, tens machine, essential oils, paracetamol, music and distraction techniques to help you cope with early labour. If fresh red bleeding (not mixed with mucus), waters break, concerns re movements or contractions have consistently been coming every 3-4 mins for a few hours.. then call in for advice.

But the midwife did say, if you’re in a lot of pain or very anxious they won’t turn you away

Hmm, I’m not convinced by this. With my first I was in excruciating agony, contractions had been 3 mins apart for 24 hours and I hadn’t slept in that time and I properly freaked out during the internal examination and they still turned me away.

First thing I did was start a bath running and put on my favourite album. Didn't need to call anyone as DH was at home.

Then whilst bath was running I got last few bits for hospital bag ready.

Wish I'd had something to eat though - it was a long old slog and something substantial eg pasta would have helped I think.

I fucking loved both births - 1 went haywire with lots of interventions but still an incredible experience.

Good luck!

I started on Monday afternoon but didn't go into hospital until Wednesday morning and had her Wednesday lunchtime. Monday afternoon/night and Tuesday I spent walking, cleaning, cooking, packing a bag, watching Black Books, having a bath. I went and had reflexology on Tuesday afternoon too. I had it booked and thought I might as well. I was so tired from 24 hrs of contractions it was lovely.

I had cramps, didn’t realise it was labour for quite a while...idiot.
Tell your dh you’re in labour. Mine couldn’t add up contractions and regular short intervals and pain and pleasemassage me and please get me a hot water bottle to the baby is on the way, I had to spell it out!!

“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.”

Actually meconium in the waters can be a sign of distress but not always. If baby is overdue it can be normal for them to have a poo. My DS was born at 41+4 and there was meconium in the waters but he was absolutely fine.

However they do monitor you very carefully when there is meconium, because it can be a sign of distress and also because if baby becomes distressed during labour, there is a risk they could swallow or inhale some of the meconium which would make them ill.

However as I said my DS was fine so although it’s important to take it seriously (you should call the labour ward and they will ask you to go straight in) there’s no need to panic either.

I was having regular contractions for 3 days and got sent home 3 times. Sorry OP but it can also be a really long wait. I lost count of the number of times I was told to ‘take some paracetamol and have a bath’, which does fuck all btw.

I got told on the phone to wait until they are 3 mins apart, but by all means go in and get checked out, don’t worry about causing a fuss.

With ds2 my waters went. I ate breakfast, rang the labour line, played with ds1, watched some telly, ate lunch, played duplo...then it kicked off.

We phoned the hospital about 4 times for advice - so if you are worried do that!

OP, I'm about 4 days behind you but with baby no. 2. You won't need to go in until your contractions are coming every 3 minutes and lasting for upwards of 45 seconds so your focus at home is to keep moving - gravity helps to shift baby down and moving your hips gets them into a good position. Only about 11% of women have their waters go before labour so don't worry about this in particular. If they do go, phone the hospital for advice, if you just get a show or contractions starting, you're ok to carry on at home but keep yourself distracted - cook, listen to music, sort out care for any pets etc. Use any pain relief you have at home - water (submerge your bump in the bath or shower even if you can't fit the rest of you in), TENS if you're using it, paracetamol, to get you to the 3 minute regular contraction stage. (and good luck for you and bump)

Depends what time of day (or night) it happens. I’d definitely have a shower, wash hair, make sure bags are ready and then watch a film (if it starts in the morning). If it starts later in the day/evening I’d do all the above but try and have a nap instead of the film.

If labour lasts a long time you’ll be grateful you rested and washed at the beginning!

OP, the "get to 3 minute contractions" thing - that only means you've dilated about 3cm. You need to get to 10cm to get the head out and it's about an hour per cm for a first baby so you've still got a long way to go then. Because people hate being in hospitals, which can slow labour down, you'll actually get further along, faster, if you stay at home, which is why women are sent home if you're not yet at 3cm. And when you get there, try and keep off the bed as lying on your back also slows labour as your coccyx gets in the way.

My waters have never gone first. In fact they only went just before I delivered with 2/3 of them. I was always about 2cm and had no idea when I was given a sweep at 40+1 (with all three of them, yes it was weird but they all went similarly). I then lost my plug either that evening or the next day and the contractions suddenly begun either that night or the following day.

With my first I went in when I was 3CM and was sent home so it was a pointless journey. We waited an hour at home then went back as the contractions were coming thick and fast, I was up to 4CM so they let me stay. I just had an instinct to be in hospital, felt safer.

Second I stayed at home until I was 9cm!! I just bounced on my birthing ball and breathed through the contractions. It was a lovely, relaxing experience. I was only in hospital about half an hour before I was ready to push.

Third I wanted a home birth. Called the midwives to come over when I was about 4CM. Ended up transferring to hospital when I was 8CM.

I think the advice is to go get checked out if your waters go as there can be a risk of infection but otherwise, wait until there’s about 4-5 minutes between contractions. Your instincts will tell you when it’s time.

If your waters go first then phone hospital to let them know as, if contractions don't start within 24 hours you'll likely need to be induced as there's a risk of infection to the baby. If your contractions start first (mine did - my waters went about 30 minutes before my DS was born) then stay calm and relaxed, take a shower, go back to bed if you're tired, and eat and drink something. The first contractions could be quite irregular but if it makes you feel better, download a contraction timer app and start timing them. When they're 5 minutes apart, phone the hospital and speak to them and find out what they want you to do. They may tell you to come in, they may tell you to wait till they're 3 minutes apart.