Early Labor…and Your Emotions

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Dear Expectant Parents,

As you approach your due month, you may be wondering about early labor, and how you will feel during this stage of preparation and waiting. Let’s explore some common emotions of mom (and dad) during early labor.

But first…what is early labor?

In Early Labor your body is preparing for labor and the delivery of your baby! It can last anywhere from 6-12 hours to even as long as a few days. In this stage of labor, your muscles, ligaments, and bones are loosening up with a hormones known as relaxin. You will begin to feel contractions that can range anywhere from 5-20 minutes apart, and they may even stop and start for a few days. Your cervix is softening, thinning, and opening and your pelvic bones and muscles are moving to allow baby to be born!

Your Emotions

As you enter early labor and approach the arrival of your baby, it suddenly hits you…this is happening! There is a range of emotions that can arise during and after early labor, let’s explore some of these emotions:

😆Excitement – Anticipation – Joy – Energy
In the early stages of early labor, as you begin to feel things happening and changing in your body you may feel excited – things are starting to happen!
One natural response for a lot of women during early labor is an unusual burst of energy – this is known as the “Nesting Urge”. You might find yourself cleaning, preparing the baby’s nursery, cooking, baking, or preparing your kids/husband for your labor.

How should you respond?
It is good and wonderful to joyfully anticipate your baby’s arrival. However, be careful to not get too excited and rush yourself to start actively laboring, when your body isn’t ready yet. Your body gives you the Nesting Urge to give you the energy you need to get through labor. Try not to exhaust yourself prematurely. Instead, rest as much as you can, eat and drink good, health, energy-rich foods, and try to occupy or distract your mind with something.

😩Anxiousness – Uncertainty – Discouragement
Instead of excitement, you may instead feel anxious or worried that things are actually happening. This can be hard if mom is uncertain about her labor, if it is her first birth, or if she doesn’t have an adequate support system. Mom can also become discouraged if early labor lasts longer then she expected or is more intense than she had thought.

How should you respond?
It is important to be empowered by knowledge and have a good support system as you go into labor. Thankfully, these are two areas that your Doula specializes in. Discuss how you can mentally prepare yourself for birth and how you can grow your support system with her.
Evaluate your anxieties or uncertainties before early labor begins. Don’t get too excited and rush yourself through labor (see above) Try to keep your mind occupied and your body busy (either with rest or a non-exhaustive task) during early labor. Talk to someone that will comfort and put you at ease, like your husband or Doula.

😰 Fear
Fear is one of the most dangerous emotions during labor. This is because fear can directly impact your body’s physiology and thus how your labor will progress.

How should you respond?
Talk to your Doula before your labor to evaluate and release your fears before and during your labor. Learn to truly trust your body and the process. Read this blog post for a more in-depth discussion about fear in childbirth.

🤫Focus – The Depths of Strength
As labor progresses and overlaps into what is known as Active Labor, your emotions may increases in intensity. Overall, mom begins to focus inward. During this stage moms often enter into what can be known as “labor land”. You might enter into a meditative-type state of mind where you are hyper-aware of your internal sensations, and may also disconnect from your external environment – this is especially true if mom feels her environment is safe and comfortable.

How should you respond?
Create a safe and comfortable environment to birth in. During labor, depend on your inner strength and beauty. Release your fears and trust your body to do what God designed it to do. Ride on the waves of natural hormones and focus gently on the movements of your and your baby’s body.

Though your emotions may range from joyful to fearful as you enter early labor, I pray that you feel prepared to enter into them and to respond.

Love,

Pearl

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