First baby
When you are having your first baby it difficult to know when labour is happening and when it is time to call the hospital midwives or your continuity midwife.
You may be advised to labour at home in the early stages. Early labour can last several hours or several days. Research has shown that women labour much better if they stay at home in the early stages.
In early labour you may have:
- a blood-stained mucus discharge called a ‘show’
- lower back pain
- period like pain that comes and goes
- loose bowel motions
- an urge to vomit, or
- your waters break (clear or pinkish colour).
In early labour, if you have a normal health pregnancy, you are encouraged to remain at home for as long as you can. Eat regular snacks and drink fluid to build up your energy reserves, and rest as much as possible. Try relaxing in the shower or use a heat pack for pain. It is important to go to the toilet regularly.
It is not always clear when to come to hospital. If you are worried at any point, call the Birth Suite midwives or your continuity midwife.
If it is your first baby, please contact the hospital midwives or your continuity midwife for advice when your contractions are:
- regular
- strong
- about five minutes apart
- lasting about 45-60 seconds
and this has been occurring for over an hour.
Second baby
Second babies often arrive more quickly than the first, so you may need to contact the Birth Suite or your midwife sooner.
Risk factors
If you have any risk factors such as a previous caesarean section or a high-risk pregnancy you may need monitoring sooner. If you are experiencing premature labour (before 37 weeks) you will need to come in for review. Always call the Birth Suite or your continuity midwife for guidance.
Once your waters break
If your waters break and it is NIGHT TIME - you can call first thing in the morning to let your continuity midwife or the Birth Suite midwives know if:
- fluid is clear or pink (not green/black/brown or like blood)
- baby is moving well or like you would normally expect
- your baby is head down and was ‘engaged’ at your last pregnancy appointment
- you were Group B Strep NEGATIVE or you declined the swab, and
- you are not concerned.
Otherwise call the Birth Suite midives or your continuity midwife to discuss a plan for you.
If waters break and it is DAY TIME - call the Birth Suite midwives or your continuity midwife to let them know and a review will be arranged during that day, if all is ‘normal’, as above.
If your waters break and you are Group B Strep POSITIVE:
- call when your waters break as an induction of labour is recommended immediately/within six hours – talk to the care team if your preference is to not do this
- you will be offered IV antibiotics in active labour, every four hours until your baby is born.
If you are unaware of your Group B Strep results, and your waters break, you will need to call the Birth Suite midwives or your continuity midwife.
Important:
Call the Birth Suite or your continuity midwife immediately if:
- you pass any bright blood-stained fluid from the vagina
- there is a reduction or change in fetal movement patterns
- if your waters have broken and they are green or brown
- if you are worried.
Contractions
Below is a guide to what your contractions may be like.
2:1:1 As Labour establishes - this is the usual expected pattern of contractions:
- Contractions two minutes apart
- Lasting 60 seconds
- Strong Intense contractions. You need to stop what you are doing to concentrate on breathing heavily through the contraction. You cannot talk during the contraction.
- A regular pattern as below.
The hump is the contraction and the lines are the space/time in between contractions
Irregular contractions
Often women may experience irregular contractions as their body is establishing into labour. If you are managing well and are not concerned – you do not need to call.
Irregular contractions might look/feel like this...
The hump is the contraction and the lines are the space/time in between contractions
or this pattern of contractions, called “coupling”
The hump is the contraction and the lines are the space/time in between contractions
Birthing rooms
Birthing rooms have become more homely in recent years. There is space to move around, there are exercise balls and mats to use during labour and showers to use for pain relief. Some rooms have birthing pools. You should feel comfortable in the room where you are giving birth.
Water births
Some birthing rooms have birthing pools so that you can labour and give birth in water. A warm bath can be soothing in labour. You can choose to labour and birth in water if it is considered safe for you and your baby.
Birth plans
Many women develop labour and birth plans. It is a good idea to consider your preferences for labour and birth and discuss them with a midwife during the pregnancy. Labour and birth involve many variables, it is not always possible to predict what will happen. The maternity teams at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children are committed to providing the best care that is safe for you and your baby.
