The Hardest Part of Labor Might Not Be What You Think
Over and over again, as a professional birth doula and childbirth educator, families turn to me with one questions: “What’s the hardest part of labor?”.
I think they’re expecting me to say ‘all of it!’ or an intense stage, such as transitional labor, when most families worry they will need specific tools on board for pain management.
What I say is usually totally unexpected!
The hardest part, to me, of labor progression is the early part.
In the beginning of labor, contractions are the mildest, they’re the most spread out, they might start and stop suddenly and pick up the next day. They might be inconsistent in spacing, timing, location, or they might be steady and slow going. All of this is terribly hard mentally!
Why would something so erratic and seemingly manageable be so difficult in comparison to other, physically intense situations in labor? During early labor, you are excited, nervous, scared and tense! You might not sleep or eat, thinking that any moment labor will get rougher, tougher and harder to distract from. All that concentration and ‘what if’ can be physically and mentally overpowering.
The truth is, early labor can last a LONG time! It is designed to help with the early effacement and small amounts of cervical dilation progression, and it can be tough to predict exactly when things will turn the corner into stronger, active labor contractions. A whole day (or two, or three) can go by!
What can YOU do during this time to make sure you survive the hardest part of labor?
Going about your daily routine (eating, drinking, working, and more) can help tremendously during this time. Plan a small labor day project that will keep you busy, but isn’t high stakes in time and energy, such as building a crib, for instance! Call your support team and receive encouragement; I always advise clients this is a GREAT time to call your doula and gain some ideas and reassurance that you’re not crazy, labor is starting, and that you can absolutely relax into the time! Listen to some positive pregnancy affirmations, engage in meditation or light yoga stretching, and prepare to celebrate this in between time while you are sound in mind and body!
The hardest part of labor is definitely easy to overcome! Set yourself up for success, and the sound mind and body connection you’ve set in place will serve you well when things pick up into a more active labor!
Comments