What to expect in labour

Question

Hey ladies, I am 37 + 1 weeks today and looking for some friendly advice. I know everyone will have different experiences with labour, but I’m wondering what to expect when labour starts? I have been having twinges and sharp pains every now and again but nothing like what I’ve heard contractions feel like.. yet. With contractions, am I looking for a more dull like period pain? I know you have to start timing them etc, but how long before I go to hospital? Can I try to relax and take a bath when my contractions start before rushing straight to the hospital? I want to try to remain as calm as possible but just don’t know what to expect!! FTM in the UK :)

Answer

For me, contractions felt like tight, intense menstrual/bowl cramps. It was a gradual build of pain. At first it was just uncomfortable (like a normal menstrual cramp) and over time as the contractions build, the discomfort builds to pain. My coping method was breathing and knowing what position I felt the most comfortable in to brace myself for each contraction. For me, I found that being in a squat position was the most comfortable with each contraction. Also, my yoga ball was a life saver. Just sitting on it and rotating my hips or bouncing was relief. As far as breathing goes - the more you progress in labor, controlling your breathing can be a challenge because your natural instinct is the tense up and “brace yourself”. I tried so hard not to tense up towards the end. I practiced box breathing which helped me for many of my contractions. It certainly is a challenge, especially if you have been in labor for hours experiencing over a hundred contractions…it’s easy to exhaust yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s easier said than done, but try to keep your body relaxed. I tried so hard not to tense up because my body is contracting for a reason…this baby needs to come out and my cervix needs to dilate. I tried not to fight against my body. I made it all the way until 8cm until I called it and asked for an epidural. I was exhausted. But I would 100% do it all over again. Every contraction and every moment was worth it in the end. You’ll do fine mama. Trust your body. It knows what it’s doing!

Answer

For me, they were more than dull when it was necessary to start timing them. By that time they were uncomfortable enough to make me want to get in the shower. Rule of thumb is you want them to come every 5 minutes, last for a minute each, for a full hour to go in. My labors have started with contractions both times. No mucus plug and no water breaking until I was in transition both times. Contractions just started and kept getting more intense and closer together.

What to expect in labour

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