True or Active labor means three things are happening: regular, painful contractions with the right timing.
1. Regular contractions mean that they happen at a consistent interval. Maybe you notice your contractions, and so you begin keeping time. You notice that each contraction is twenty minutes apart. Then fifteen minutes apart, and all the way down to five, four, three, and two minutes apart. That is what you want your contractions to work towards.
You will notice a contraction with the tightening of your belly, but they will only be uncomfortable (not painful) at first. No worries, the pain will come.
Each contraction will start, peak, and then go away. Praise God, you will have a break before the next contraction begins. That break is called the interval, and it is regular when it is the same time between each contraction.
Take time to pause, rest, or sleep before the next contraction starts. You will need the rest because labor is long, and your contractions will intensify.
The next question is… “When is active labor?”
Active labor is when the interval is less than or equal to five minutes, and that interval will continue to shorten as labor progresses.
The next thing to understand is that each contraction will last 30 to 90 seconds. This is amazing because women can do anything for 30 to 90 seconds! Use your timer here. When you feel a contraction begin to build, press start on your timer and breathe through the contraction with the anticipation of it being over soon. You can do it!
2. Contractions are painful. This means contractions are a TEN on a scale of 1 to 10. It is hard to explain the pain of labor. However, you will KNOW what it feels like when it is upon you.
Preparation is key when it comes to pain because pain is a mind game more than a physical challenge.
Take time to think about what the pain will be like and how you will cope with the pain.
You will know you are in pain when you no longer have to ask anyone what it is like. And we want to assure you that you don’t have to be out of control with the pain of labor. You get to be in charge of your response to the pain.
The silver lining is that each contraction has a purpose. The purpose is to take you to the top of the mountain where you are holding your baby. So, now is the time to get the tools you need to stay calm in labor and keep eyes fixed on the prize. Keep reading because we have some good tools for you in labor.
3. Regular, painful contractions in active labor last a certain amount of time (regular, painful contractions for at least one hour) This is a little bit obscure because every woman is in labor for a different amount of time. However, the time is very important. When you notice that your contractions are regular and painful, it is time to write down that time. This is a reference for understanding how far along you are in active labor.
Active labor can be long, lasting 6 to 12 hours or more before your cervix opens to 6 cm and beyond. It is true, some mama have a fast labor (3 to 4 hours), but this is not common. So, it is important to anticipate a long labor process.
The process is the same for each woman, but some women to take a different route to childbirth. When the route was not what Mama anticipated, she can feel defeated. Our encouragement is that you never feel like you are a failure.
You don’t fail when you are presented with new challenges, you fail when you don’t face those challenges with power and courage.
Remember that you are in control of the choices you make. So, it is time to be informed so that you can make the right choice for you and your baby.
What do we mean when we say that some Mamas have to take different birth routes?
Unfortunately, the C-Section rate in America is high. Mamas that desire a natural birth find the numbers daunting (33%). But you can decrease your risk for C-Section by staying home during labor.
If you can stay home until your cervix is at least 5 cm dilated, then you reduce your risk for C-Section by fifty percent! Of course you cannot check your own cervix at home.
So, how do you know?
It is a motherly instinct plus you will be having regular, painful contractions for several hours. Be assured that you will have time to get to the hospital before it is time for your baby to enter into this world.
While you’re at home be sure to walk, take a hot shower, keep the lights dimmed, relax, drink tea, and have support by your side to massage your back and help you breathe through each contraction.
Then it will be time to go to the hospital.
Some mamas go to the hospital and the doctor tells them that her baby is in distress, or that labor is not progressing. Don’t shut down. It is time to ask questions and make an informed choice for the next step.
The doctor may say that the next step is to give birth by C-Section. This can feel defeating, and many Moms feel that the decision is make for her.
We want you to prepare for this situation by understanding that a C-Section birth may have to happen for your safety and/or the safety of baby. Take time to learn about how C-Sections take place, recovery, care of your incision, and your doctors view on C-Section.
We love when Moms take actions that reduce their risk for C-Section. Check out our videos/blog posts on normal labor, helping labor progress, and C-Section.
The most common reasons for C-Section are because baby was distressed, baby did not descend into the pelvis, or mom’s cervix didn’t open to 10 cm. What does all this mean?
The uterus contracts during labor, and it can cause distress to your baby. The distress is reflected by the baby’s heart rate slowing down, and it is recorded on a fetal heart monitor. When the distress continues to happen, the doctor will talk to Mom about a C-Section birth.
Sometimes moms cannot deliver vaginally because either the cervix won’t open or the baby won’t come down the birth canal. Doctors call this failed labor, failure to descend, or failure to dilate. There is no way to know in advance that this will happen until it happens.
The term “failure” is so defeating to many Mamas, and we want you to know that you did not fail as a Mom (if this happens to you).
This term means that something is happening to your body, and we are going to take another route to get your baby in your arms. Our goal is to help you have a natural birth, and we are going to give you some practical steps to get there.
As stated, terms like failure to dilate, failure to progress, failure to descend do not mean that you failed as a woman and mama. These are medical, textbook terms. The question is, “How will you handle the information that is presented to you in labor?”
The cervix is closed until labor begins. The cervix has to open up to 10 cm before your baby can exit. Women have a potent hormone called oxytocin that the body releases to help the cervix open.
Your body will release Oxytocin automatically, but there are things that you can do to help the the process.
First, stay at home as long as possible to promote the release of the hormone oxytocin (“as long as possible” means that once you notice your contractions are regular and painful, you should not go to the hospital unless you have been having regular painful contractions for at least 1-2 hours). Use dimmed lighting, relaxing music, relaxation techniques, cool temperature, walking, and hot showers will relax you and promote the release of oxytocin.
Second, implement these same actions when you go to the hospital.
Talk to your nurse about your birth plan, ask your husband to fill out paperwork, set up your lighting and music, etc.
Last, know that you are in control when the doctor says that you have to have a C-Section.
Get all of the information that you need about C-Section before labor starts. Make sure you get a full explanation of why a C-Section is needed and make sure it cannot be delayed while you try to get relaxed again for the promotion of oxytocin and cervical dilation (opening of the cervix).
Remember that the end goal is to get your baby in your arms safely.
You can be ready for whatever labor holds for you. We are here to help you down that road, we just need to get these tools in your hands.
Do you want some help making a plan? Pearently has created a FREE Natural Birth Workbook just for you. This 4 Step Process is a great start if you are considering a med-free birth. Download below…
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