How Do You Know When It Is Time to Go to the Hospital

If you’re past 37 weeks, ask your provider when you should call to let her know you are having contractions. In actual labor, your contractions will come at regular intervals lasting 30 to 90 seconds, get steadily stronger, and happen more frequently no matter what you do. Call your health provider or go to the hospital if:

• your water breaks (even if you aren’t having contractions)
• you have vaginal bleeding (more than just spotting)
• your contractions are coming five minutes (or less) apart
• you have constant or severe pain

Comfort Measures for Labor
Newton-Wellesley Hospital offers the following advice to help you be more comfortable during labor:

• If you are in early labor, take a shower and eat before you go to the hospital. Once you are there, you will be given only ice chips.
• In early labor, WALK, WALK, WALK. You will be stuck in bed long enough.
• Use a birthing ball. Always have a nurse or your partner spotting you while you are using the birthing ball.
• Practice patterned breathing. These breathing techniques provide comfort and focus while enhancing the progress of labor.
• Drink beverages. You should stay well hydrated while in labor.
• Move and change positions. Walk if you can or change positions every hour. This will help with your comfort and help with your labor progress.
• Staring at a focal point during a contraction can be helpful. Playing relaxing music can be soothing, so bring a selection of mom’s favorites.
• Superficial Heat and Cold. Heat can be effective when applied by using a hot water bottle, hot moist towels, or warm blankets. Superficial cold can come from an ice bag, washcloths soaked in ice water, or a bag of frozen peas. Hot compresses applied to the lower abdomen, groin or perineum, a warm blanket over the entire body and ice packs to the lower back or perineum can help alleviate labor pain. Using heat or cold on separate parts of the body at the same time can provide particularly effective pain relief. For example, apply a cool cloth to the forehead with warmth on the lower back. For maximum effect, change the heat and cold locations about every twenty minutes.
• Counter-pressure- consists of a steady, strong force applied to one spot on the lower back during contractions using the heel of the hand, or pressure on the side of each hip using both hands. Counter-pressure helps alleviate back pain during labor, especially in those women experiencing “back labor.”
• Hydrotherapy-during labor (techniques using water) can be emotionally soothing and can also help with pain relief.

Source: Newton Wellesley Hospital – Non Pharmacological
Pain Management During Labor
www.nwh.org/patient-guides-and-forms/maternity-guide/maternity-chapter-3/comfort-measures-during-labor-and-delivery-non-pharmacological-methods

The Birth of Your Baby
You’ll deliver your baby during the second stage of labor. The following tips from the Mayo Clinic will help you know what to expect.

Parent tip: “When we arrived at the hospital, I asked the L&D nurse what labor would be like and if it was as bad as I’ve heard. She told me it was like experiencing the biggest bowel movement you ever had!” —Shirley M. and Helen C. (Both women came up with this one. It must be a standard answer from an L&D nurse. )

How Long Does Labor Last?
It can take from a few minutes up to a few hours or more to push your baby into the world. It may take longer for first-time moms and women who’ve had epidurals.

Parent tip: “You might want to rethink bringing everyone you know with you into the delivery room. Think about it—you are going to be at your absolute worst and in excruciating pain. Not exactly a sight I want to share.” —Gina A. Minooka, Illinois

What You Can Do
Push! You’re in the home stretch! Your health-care provider will ask you to bear down during each contraction or tell you when to push, as if you were having a bowel movement. If you poop while you are pushing, you are doing it right. Yes, it is very common to poop while you are trying to push a very large human out of a tiny place. This is normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. Your baby needs as much room as possible to make his way out. When you push, don’t hold tension in your face. Bear down and concentrate on pushing where it counts. If possible, experiment with different positions until you find one that feels best. You can push while squatting, sitting, or kneeling—even on your hands and knees.

After your baby’s head is delivered, the rest of the body will follow shortly. The airway will be cleared if necessary. Decide if your healthcare provider or partner will cut the umbilical cord.