What No One Tells You About Early Labor: How To Stay Grounded Before Active Labor Begins
Early Labor can feel like a mind game, a mystery.
You might be having regular contractions… and then they’re apart!
You go to the hospital, get checked and the nurse says: You’re only 2 cm, go back home.
You feel frustrated, anxious. and you start saying to yourself: but I felt something shift.. When should i really go to the hospital? Am I doing right?
As a doula, I often hear this stage as the hardest to navigate-not because it’s intense, but because of uncertainty. That’s why I want to walk you through early labor and provide you with ways to stay grounded and calm.
What is Early Labor?
Early labor is the beginning phase of labor and can be the longest phase. It is when your cervix is starting to soften, move forward, thins and open.
You might feel:
-Mild to moderate contractions that can be irregular 5-20min apart
-Lower back pain
-Emotional shift: from being excited, to anxious to overwhelmed
Early labor is not dramatic, but it can be emotionally draining. Many women have expectations about early labor,. The moment they feel a contraction, they start exhausting their bodies with what they learned; from exercising, curb walking, to squats and others. And when they realize that it is taking more time than they expected, they start getting impatient, and feel pressured to go to the hospital. But actually, the best thing to do in this phase is to rest, have a nap, eat a very yummy satisfying meal, stay hydrated and just trust your body.
5 Grounding Practices for Early Labor:
Rest. Rest. Rest. Rest.
If its nighttime, try to sleep between contractions. If you can not sleep, lie down, close your eyes, progressively relax your body from head to toe and reserve that energy for later.Nourish Your Beautiful Body:
Have light yummy meals and stay hydrated. Your body needs that good fuel.Distract Yourself:
Watch your favorite movie with your hubby, finish up cleaning the house together, go for a walk together, hold hands, bake something together, fold and wash baby cloths, watch a comedy movie!
Not only you will distract yourself, you’ll also help your body boost that oxytocin!Breath!
Breath in 1, 2, 3, 4, Breath out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and repeat.
Relax your face, jaw, shoulders, hands. Practice your rhythm, gentle sways, slow dancing…
Visualize smelling a flower, blowing a candle.Stay Home as you can (If safe to do so and after discussing with the care provider!!!!!!!!)
Unless you’re told otherwise, or you have a condition, Staying home in early labor (until contractions are every 5 mins lasting 1min for 1 hour) makes you more relaxed, safe and less at risk for exposure to interventions.
You are not alone
As your doula, I will stay in touch with you whenever you need me through phone and text, and if you feel like you need my presence, I will be in person with you.
Early labor is not false labor, and is not wasted time. It is real and it is purposeful and it is meaningful!
I want you to remember that YOU ARE DOING ENOUGH. You are doing great and that early labor is part of this beautiful journey and it’s good to embrace it.
Trust your body. Trust your baby. And when you need support, Trust your doula