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Healthy Pregnancy & Childbirth
Labor and Delivery Weeks; Photo of woman in hospital bed
Labor
Home Outcome Improvement Centers Healthy Pregnancy & Childbirth Labor and Delivery Labor

Beginning of Labor: The Wait Is Over

Illustration of cervix
During early labor, the cervix dilates 1 to 3 centimeters

When you realize that you're in labor, you may feel relieved and excited that the birth will soon happen. And you may feel nervous, wondering what lies ahead. This part of labor can last for many hours. If there are no medical problems, expect to spend this time at home. If there are health concerns, you may need to go to the hospital sooner.

Is This Labor?

True labor contractions:

  • Become stronger and more regular over time.

  • Become closer together over time.

  • Keep happening whether you sit, stand, or change position.

  • Start in back and move to the front, or move from the top of the uterus to the bottom.

  • May break the amniotic sac.

Timing Contractions

  • Time the length of each contraction from start to finish.

  • Time how far apart the contractions are (from the start of one to the start of the next).

The First Hours of Labor

Labor is a natural event. Trust your body. If you go into labor during the night, try to sleep as long as you can. If it's daytime, try to stay upright to let gravity help your baby move down. Walk, stand, sit, or squat. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about eating and drinking during labor. A glass of juice or water every hour will help keep you from getting dehydrated.

When to Leave for the Hospital or Birth Center

Call your healthcare provider when it becomes hard to walk and talk during contractions.

  • Your healthcare provider will give you guidelines on when to leave for the hospital or birth center, for example, when your contractions are 5 minutes apart.

  • You may have to leave earlier if the hospital or birth center is not nearby, you have a history of fast labor, you have a health concern, or you've been given special instructions.

  • Your admission will be scheduled in advance if labor is being induced or if you plan to have a cesarean.

Illustration of warm bath

Support Person's Note

  • Suggest that the mother soak in a warm tub to ease the pain of contractions.

  • Be sure to time the contractions.

  • Keep the setting soothing. Dim lights and prevent loud noises. Try playing relaxing music. A massage can also help.

  • Try to distract the mother from the contractions with a short walk or a quiet game.

  • Encourage the mother to rest if she's tired.

  • As contractions become stronger, help her use labor breathing techniques.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • The amniotic sac breaks.

  • You are bleeding. (A small amount of blood-tinged mucus is normal.)

  • The baby doesn't move for an unusually long time. (Your healthcare provider can instruct you how to do "kick counts.")

  • You have a fever, chills, or severe pain.

  • You are planning a cesarean and you go into labor.

Online Editor: Rademaekers, Ed
Online Medical Reviewer: Dolan, Mary, MD
Date Last Reviewed: 3/25/2006
Date Last Modified: 8/12/2004