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STAGES OF LABOR
First Stage: Early Labor
Activities
Discussion
Small group activity
Resources
PFB book page 8 PowerPoint slides 26 – 27
Packing Your Labor Bag handout
Early labor can vary a lot a lot between women and pregnancies. Sometimes early labor contractions are easy to ignore, while other times they feel strong right from the start. Early labor may be very brief or last for days. Equip parents by providing practical, objective ways to distinguish prelabor from early labor, and early labor from active.
Discussion Prompts
• How will you be able to tell when you are in early labor?
• What will you do when you are in early labor?
Key Points
• Early labor characteristics:
• Length: several hours to several days, usually the longest phase.
• Signs( in addition to regular contractions):
• Loose stools.
• Increasing vaginal discharge.
• Blood-tinged mucus.
• Contractions:
• 5 – 20 minutes apart.
• 30 – 45 seconds long.
• May feel like a backache or cramps to start.
• Gradually get closer, longer and stronger.
• Dilation: 0 – 6 centimeters.
• Behavior and feelings:
• Excitement.
• Anxiety.
• Restlessness.
• Still able to carry on a conversation and focus on things other than labor.
• Early labor tips:
• After 37 weeks, ignore contractions if possible: sleep, eat / drink, take a walk, take a shower or bath. If in early labor, contractions will continue despite these activities.
• Communicate with support people / birth team. Always follow health care provider guidelines for communicating with them. Typically, parents should call when regular contractions are getting stronger.
• Alternate between resting to conserve energy and staying active to keep labor progressing.
Preview
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