It’s important to know what may happen when you go into labor. You deserve and need to understand your care. Talk to your doctor or midwife about these terms so you feel confident going into your birth: Electronic Monitoring: Instruments used to record the heartbeat of the baby and your contractions. Option: Monitoring only when needed instead of all the …

Your Birth Partner plays an important role.  There are so many things to do: In early labor Time your contractions Take a walk with you As labor gets stronger: Help you change into different positions (standing, walking, or squatting) Breathe with you Give ice chips to you, if allowed Massage your back or back Talk in a positive way like …

Why is labor painful?The pain you feel during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix as it’s opening. Some have described labor pains as extremely strong menstrual cramps.Ways to manage pain while in labor Quiet and calm room Music of my choice Nice smells Dimmed lights Walking or dancing Changing …

People labor at all different speeds, and every labor is different, even for the same person. Generally, labor takes longer for the first child and less long for following children. For people having their first child, labor generally lasts between 12-18 hours. For people having their second, third or fourth child, labor generally lasts between 8-10 hours.Have more questions?Return to …

When you go into labor, your body is getting ready to deliver your baby. To deliver your baby, several things need to happen. The opening between your uterus and vagina gets bigger. This opening is called the cervix, and it needs to become larger in order for your baby to pass through. Your baby drops into your vaginal canal. You …

Some people have “false labor,” or Braxton-Hicks contractions. This can happen during your third trimester. You can tell the difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and “real” contractions because real contractions get closer together and stronger over time, but Braxton-Hicks contractions come and go.Have more questions?Return to libraryCall your Pacify doulaSources: www.mothersadvocate.org, The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin with Katie Rohs.  https://www.lamaze.org/parent-information

Here are a few signs that your labor is starting: You start cramping. When you start, you may feel cramps in your uterus or back. These can feel similar to period cramps. These cramps mean that you are having contractions. The contractions will get more intense and happen more often as you get closer to delivering your baby. You feel …