Wondering what to do when you start having labor contractions? I remember when I started having labor pain contractions with both of my pregnancies. It’s something I will never forget, I can’t explain it but it’s a special moment. Having contractions is THE SIGN that you know you are going to meet your precious baby very soon.
I’m 100% percent sure that you have researched about labor pain contractions and what are the signs to look out for. I know I did and it was always exciting for me to read. I was a little scared for sure but nonetheless excited. That’s why today I’m sharing with you 10 things to do when you start having labor pain contractions, to give you some peace of mind and hopefully can serve you as a reminder 😉
Real vs. Braxton Hicks contractions:
Braxton hicks are “false” labor contractions, they are not painful as real labor contractions are and they come and go. Real labor contractions come at regular intervals and get more painful over time. You can read more about the difference here!
Fun fact: With my second pregnancy (twins), I was screaming like a baby with every contraction that I felt when I was in the hospital, it was so painful to me and came so close together. With my first pregnancy (singleton) I handle it like a pro and didn’t even feel like it was painful at all. That goes to show you that every pregnancy and labor experience is different. (I did get an epidural for both)
I hope you can find these 10 things to do when you start having labor contractions helpful 🙂
10 things to do when you start having labor contractions
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1.Time them
Lay on your bed or living room couch and start timing your contractions. They will most likely come every 5 minutes and the pain will increase over time. You may experience your water breaking or notice mucus plug when you use the bathroom. Once your water breaks, the contractions will follow.
Taking an online prenatal class is always recommended. You’ll prepare for birth with ease and know what to expect! Check out this couple’s online prenatal class here!
2.Call babysitter
If you have an older child, now it’s the time to call the person who will be taking care of your kids. Or maybe get your child ready if you are dropping him/her off to their grandparents or aunts house. I was lucky enough to be staying in my parents house because my sister stayed with my oldest daughter when I left to the hospital to give birth to my twins.
Read this next:
15 THINGS THAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER GIVING BIRTH
THE ULTIMATE HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR DADS
25 PHENOMENAL WAYS DADS TO BE CAN SUPPORT THEIR PARTNER DURING LABOR
3.Take shower
This one you don’t necessarily have to do, but I did with my second pregnancy. I felt great taking a nice warm bath, brushing my teeth and doing my hair. I felt fresh and awake, my water broke at 1am and so I felt like I had to clean myself before heading to the hospital. If you have time and feel like the contractions are not painful, by all means do it.
Planning on breastfeeding? Take this online breastfeeding class. It’s the perfect way to learn and rock your breastfeeding journey. It only takes 90 minutes!
4. Dress comfortably
Here’s another tip on what to do when having labor contractions, do not wear your pregnancy jeans or anything uncomfortable of that nature. A nice maxi dress will do because honestly you will take it off the minute you step into the delivery room. You will also be living in a hospital gown for a couple of days before you leave and wear regular clothes again. Of course, this might change if you are giving birth in the winter, in that case wear comfortable sweatpants or leggings!
check out these options:
5. Grab the car seat
Do not forget your baby’s car seat, this is super important because you do not want to send your hubby back home to get it. Make sure your hubby has the car seat installed in the car and ready to go for your baby. Check out this article on how to properly install a baby’s carseat.
Here are great car seat options:
6. Important documents
One of the first things you should grab are your important documents. Make sure you take your insurance, your baby’s insurance, your ID card and credit cards. Your insurance will be paying for all of your hospital expenses, so make sure that you take that with you if you do not want the hospital bill coming out of your pockets.
Finally a newborn basics online class! Newborn basics 101 is the perfect class for first time parents. Learn everything you need to know about taking care of your newborn baby!
7. Hospital bag
Do not forget your hospital bag girlfriend! With both of my pregnancies I had my hospital bag right next to my bed, just incase I needed to jump and run out the door . Everything was prepared weeks in advance and all I had to do was grab it and go. Make sure you have your hospital bag within eyesight, so you won’t miss it.
8. Pray
I think saying a prayer is so powerful and it makes me feel like everything is going to be alright. You can say a small prayer and talk to God, let him know that you have faith and believe that it will be him delivery your baby. It will make you feel at ease and tension free. I know it helped me a lot with my nerves.
9. Snacks
You may be in the hospital for a couple of hours or days, so packing snacks for your hubby. Notice how I said your hubby? Yup, you can’t eat anything, until your baby is born or until your doctor gives you the okay to do so. Your hubby will most likely get hungry waiting in the hospital and maybe will not want to leave your side. So having a few snacks for him is a great idea. He can eat and be comfortable waiting for the arrival of the baby.
Read this next:
10 MUST DO PREGNANCY NESTING IDEAS WHILE PREPARING FOR BABY
20 THINGS YOU MUST PACK IN YOUR HOSPITAL BAG FOR A SCHEDULED C-SECTION
10. Call your family and friends
You may want to let your close family and friends know that you are heading to the hospital to give birth. I called my parents and my sisters and my hubby called his parents to tell them know about the exciting news. It was great to have my family by my side in the hospital giving me much needed support and love.
These are my tips on what to do when you start having labor pain contractions. Remember to not pani or get nervous. Breathe through every single contraction. And prepare for the most beautiful ride you’ll ever be, giving birth!
Do you have birth affirmations? Take them to the hospital with you. Read them out loud and relax. Have faith and enjoy this amazing journey.
Yes! I agree with every single one of these! And I love the two don’ts at the bottom! I agree with those, too!!
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles recently posted…Baby #3 Pregnancy Update: 17 Weeks
I’m so happy you agree with it! Yes, the don’ts are a great reminder as well because ain’t nobody got time for those, haha!
Great article for first-timers. However, labor is a marathon and most women poop while delivering, so I don’t agree with the advice to forgo a needed source of energy (food) for the sake of avoiding embarrassment. Seems kind of shallow.
Hi Danielle! Thank you so much for reading. Girl! I was not embarrass to poop, we’ll maybe at the moment my doctor told me, haha! But yeah, it’s definitely normal and very common for women to poop while in labor. But, I know a lot of women would love to avoid that. Also, one of the ways to avoid that is not eating before going to labor, just wanted to share that with all my mamas reading! Thanks again :).
Hi! I am a UK midwife and I agree with all of them apart from the last! We encourage women in labour to eat (especially early labour) because the body needs energy in order to labour, hey the uterus is a series of muscles! I’m not saying eat a huge meal but definately have a high energy snack, even if it’s just a nibble at a time. And bring snacks with you for the rest of the labour! If you request an epidural you may not be allowed to eat for some time so eat when you can!!
I’m yes and no with this. While these might be ideal they aren’t always the norm. My first baby my water broke but no contractions so had to be induced and exactly 12 hrs later he was here. My second (2weeks ago) I started having contractions and my labor progressed so fast I barely made it to a hospital and it was not the one I was supposed to deliver at. My husband had to call 911 and they were preparing him to possibly deliver in our driveway cause that was as far as I made it. So while most labors are a marathon follow what your body is telling you because if it is saying hurry then listen because as much as I wanted my pizza and shower neither were possible.
Very true Elise, not all pregnancies are the same or how long your labor will be. Thank you!
Great article, but I definitely am pro having a bite in early labour. I ate a small sandwich early labour with my daughter, still pooped a bit, but realized how much you don’t care in the heat of the moment. Had nothing for my sons labour, and still pooped a bit. He was facing head up, and so all the pressure was on my tailbone. There was no stopping it really, and man I could’ve used the extra energy to deliver him.
Hey Robin, thank you for commenting! You’re right you don’t really care if you poop or not when you’re in labor, I know I didn’t, lol. I did eat with my first born because I was super hungry but then my nurses advised me that if you eat before giving birth you are most likely to poop. But, either way doesn’t really matter right? Just makes it that worth it after seeing your baby for the first time 🙂 And yes, extra energy is always needed for delivery,I totally get you!
I disagree with your insistance against eating before going to the hospital- this is a long standing rumor that has been disproven. You are just as likely to poop on the delivery table whether you ate just before or not: in fact if you labor at home longer, your body should be clearing itself out (diarrhea, vomiting)before you even get to the hospital. Yes, pooping is embarassing but it is normal and not unexpected by your nurses during the process. The main reason doctors *used* to insist you do not eat before was because the type of anesthesia used during a c-section could lead you to vomit and choke, but that is highly unlikely these days.
You need sustenance to get your body through a long labor without succumbing to exhaustion and an unwanted c-section. A pregnant lady should eat something light and healthy during early labor if she feels up to it, and pack sports drinks like gatorade to help them through the process. I’m sorry you had a bad experience and you are getting teased for it, but really you did the right thing before, providing energy for your body during labor.
Hi Zee! Thank you for commenting on this topic, I appreciate your stand point. I’m not at all embarrass of the fact that I pooped during labor, maybe when it happened I was, haha! But, yes, I ate before going to labor, I gave that tip because I know so many women are scared of pooping that I thought it might help some. I know that it’s recommended not to eat just incase you have to have C-section and so many doctors recommend not eating before giving birth. I honestly didn’t mean any harm in it and thank you so much for letting me know that even if you don’t eat, there’s still a chance you might poop during labor. Thank you again 🙂
You should eat (!) before going into labor – no one knows how long it takes until your baby is born and you need to be prepared and strong. And the foot does not go that fast through you body! Not eating does not prevent you from pooping. You can try an enema if you are afraid of pooping when the contractions start.
Actually a lot of women poop during birth – no one cares. Believe me I am a gynecologist. The midwife takes care of everything very descretely
Thank you Nora for your comment. I myself pooped during labor with my first born, I don’t really care. I was embarrassed when my doctor informed me but it’s a normal feeling to have. I did eat right before going to the hospital, so maybe that’s why? But again, follow your instincts and listen to your doctor. Thank you!!
I would rethink the “do not eat” one.
First, many women have LONG labors and will need their strength to get through it and starving for hours on end is bad for mom and baby. The rule is “eat as long as you feel comfortable doing so.”
And second, pooping during the pushing stage is 100% normal. Nurses and doctors are very used to it and don’t think twice before wiping it away and no one even notices unless someone points it out. Literally the least of everyone’s worries.
i pooped with mi two daughters,I did eat bt not too much.it’s normal just eat cuz u need enerqy