Week 27: Time to think about where you want to spend your time while you're in early labor.
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Leg muscles may cramp at night or during exercise. Stretch your calves by pulling your toes back. Make sure your calcium and magnesium intake is at recommended levels.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
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Laboring in the bath tub when you get exhausted can be as relaxing as using narcotic pain relief in labor.
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Your baby's brain is growing rapidly. Enjoy sharing books, conversation and music with Your growing baby.
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The baby will get used to the sound of your and your partner's voice. Be sure to talk to your the baby often.
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Early labor, when contractions are more than 5 minutes apart, is the part of labor when your cervix is preparing to dilate. It is getting soft, moving forward, and becoming thinner. Early labor is often influenced by how relaxed you are and how safe you feel. Think about where you might spend the hours of early labor so that you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
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Active labor is when all the big work of opening your cervix happens. Generally, you will have spent many hours in early labor waiting for contractions to get close together, about 3-4 minutes apart. Once you reach active labor, you'll be making more progress in much less time.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
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How you spend your time in early labor can determine the length and outcome of your baby's birth. Try to remain as relaxed as possible while you wait for contractions to get down to every 4-5 minutes apart.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
BirthWatch Recommends:
Deliver This!: Make the Childbirth Choice That's Right for You..No Matter What Everyone Else Thinks
I'm a huge fan of this book. By using story telling and offering women's viewpoints from across the spectrum of choices and experiences, Marisa Cohen helps women understand WHY women make the choices they do. If you find yourself flat-out confused by why some women intend on birthing in a certain way, give this book a read and take a walk in someone else's shoes to understand their choices.