Am I in labor? As this classic scene from Friends illustrates, this
is exactly what happens when a woman goes into labor: She feels a twinge
of what may be a contraction and that means labor has started. It’s time to
panic! The baby is coming. NOW! There will probably not be any time to get out
the door to a hospital or birth center, so that means anyone near her must
become an instant expert on delivering babies. Oh, and, not to mention the
mess!
You can always trust your Friends, right?
Well… maybe not in this instance. Let’s talk about what
labor, particularly the beginning stages, really looks like.
In many cases, deciphering the beginning of labor is not
quite so straightforward. Especially if you’re a first time mom that has never
experienced a contraction, it can be difficult to know when your Braxton Hicks
contractions, which can become more frequent near the end of pregnancy, stop
and when real contractions begin. You may also experience Prodromal labor for
several days before you are in the throes of active labor.
Prodormal Labor, also known as false labor, produces contractions
that feel like stronger Braxton Hicks. But, unlike true labor, these
contractions are irregular. They may show up at the same time each day, and
last for just a few hours, disappearing as quickly as they arrived. The length
of each contraction will also vary. In true labor, contractions will not go
away. Instead, they will become stronger, longer, and closer together.
This false labor can be confusing and emotionally draining!
But, take heart, if you experience Prodromal labor, all that work is not in
vain. It can help to begin the process of softening and dilating your cervix,
which may in turn cause you to lose part of your mucous plug - a sign that true
labor is coming! There’s certainly nothing false about the bloody show.
So, what can you do if you’re experiencing false labor? Take
a hint from your body: just as it’s practicing for the rigors of labor, you can
practice your coping mechanisms, breathing, and relaxation techniques. It may
also be a good time to double that you have everything packed and ready to go,
or to simply sit back, rest, and enjoy some time to yourself before you begin
your transition into motherhood.
When real labor begins it’s also not usually the immediate
emergency situation it can be made out to be on TV or in the movies. During the
early stages of labor, you will likely have time to labor at home, take a
shower, or even get some time to rest before heading out the door to the
hospital or birth center. Of course, there can be a lot of variability, but an
average length of labor for first time moms is between 10 to 20 hours and
generally progresses more quickly if you have already given birth vaginally.
So, there’s no need to start boiling water or cutting sheets at the first sign
of a contraction. If you are at all confused about whether or not you are in
labor, you can always give your doctor or midwife a call; they will be able to
answer any questions you have and help you assess if it’s time to come pay them
a visit.
And of course, one thing you can always be sure of when it
comes to your labor, just like your Friends, your doula will be there
for you.
