What to do when labor begins

1. Please call anytime if you have questions, we will be happy to talk with you! We may check on you and then leave if you are still in latent phase. Please call immediately if your bag of water breaks or if you have any bleeding. Call us when the contractions become intense if you have not already.

2. Relax and rest, especially if labor starts in the evening. Eat a good meal. Sleep between
contractions if labor begins at night. If you are feeling energetic during the day, continue with light activity. Squatting and walking is good. Please don’t overdo! If you are planning a birth-center birth, you will decide together with your midwife when to come to the birth center, but latent-phase labor will often progress better at home.

3. You may eat/drink anything you like. Take your vitamins. An empty stomach is usually not comfortable and can make you feel irritable. Something light and nourishing is best.
Suggestions include hot tea with honey, yogurt, miso or vegetable soup, fruit, smoothie, etc.

4. You may take a bath if your water bag is intact; otherwise a shower is best. You may take as many as you like.

5. Time your contractions from the start of one to the beginning of the next. Write them down and keep track of them if they seem to be regular. Time contractions until you have a good idea of how things are progressing. You do not have to do this continually! Again, if labor begins at night, focus on rest and sleep between contractions. Don’t wake yourself up to time and write. Sleep is essential. When your contractions become strong and regular you can wake your partner to help you time them; otherwise SLEEP as much as possible.

6. When you're having a contraction, concentrate on relaxing your whole body; especially your bottom muscles. Think O-P-E-N U-P!, and you will. The more relaxed you are, the faster and smoother you will dilate and be able to push your baby out.

7. You should go to the bathroom every hour to urinate. ALWAYS WIPE FRONT TO BACK. This will help prevent infection.

8. Keep relaxed and have a positive attitude. Have your labor partner massage your back,
neck, legs, and feet with oil. If your contractions are becoming stronger or intense, and your water bag is intact, use a warm bath to relax.

9. You may assume any positions that are comfortable: squatting, hands and knees, reclined with a pillow, on your side with a pillow between your legs, or standing. In addition, you should change your position every 30-45 minutes or more if needed.

10. If you are planning a birth-center birth bring the following things with you:

• Toiletries Clothes for baby
• Clothes to wear in labor Disposable diapers
• Clothes to wear home Receiving blankets
• Robe and slippers Car seat
• Phone/Chargers/Camera

11. If you are planning a home birth: Prepare the bed. Have clean sheets put on top of your
mattress, and then over it place the plastic/rubber sheet. On top of this, put your clean sheets. After you have the baby, we can clean up quickly by removing the top layer. Use the under-pad underneath your bottom to catch water or leaking mucous.


You may prepare all these things when you can for home birth:

• Herbs for bath
• Camera ready (if wanted)
• Prepare bed
• Call friends to be ready to come over & help
• Have supplies ready
• Ice chips

How to reach us: Call 586-1203 any time day or night. If we are not here, push 8 to reach the midwife on call.