Tips for Passing Time During Early Labor

Labor is the grand finale of pregnancy, and the beginning of your new life as a mother to one, two, three or however many children you will have once this baby is born. While labor is not exactly fun, it is momentous and the memories made will last forever in your heart and mind. If you can find ways to make the most of your early labor, the pain will be less and you'll be more excited as the end of labor nears and delivery of the baby is upon you. I'll give you some excellent ideas of ways to pass the time while experiencing the beginning stage of labor!

When you feel those contractions for the first time, you may be wondering how you will deal with the pain. Taking a warm bath is a great way to relax your entire body to help you gain energy for the task ahead of you. A bath can either increase the contractions and progress labor, or it may decrease the contractions to prove you are not in true labor yet.

Walking is also an excellent early labor activity. This is one thing that the doctors and nurses will advise you do after you are at the hospital, so you may as well start off the labor with a brisk walk through your neighborhood. The movement of walking will help the baby to completely descend and dilate your cervix more efficiently.

Going through you hospital bag is an excellent way to pass the time at home. Grab your checklist and make sure you have all the items you need. Charge your camera, grab extra film and instruct your birth partner what you want and do not want filmed! Also, be sure you have the items you will need for the baby in your bag as well.

If you are feeling extra energetic, and some women actually do, try to do a final cleaning of your house. Simple things like picking up any extra stuff, washing the baby's clothes, organizing the pantry and fridge so that food is easily accessible and vacuuming can make the transition from hospital back to your home easier if you feel you don't have to worry about cleaning.

One great way to pass early labor is to take a nap. This may be your last chance to grab some zzz's before the baby comes. After the baby is born, you'll be on the baby's sleep schedule, so you may not get those long stretches of sleep for a while!

If you haven't prepared any meals for after the baby is born, you may want to prepare something that you can enjoy when you return from the hospital. If you are breastfeeding you can expect to need an extra 600 calories each day, so food will be a necessity! Be sure you have some healthy snacks and some favorite treats!

If you have older children, contact their care-givers you have selected for while you are away at the hospital. If the care-giver is coming to your house, be sure you have meal plans, schedules, and any instructions they may need. If the child is going to another house, check their bags to be sure they have everything they need as well.

Last, but not least, install the car seat if you haven't already. The hospital will not let you leave with out the baby in a car seat, so this is an absolute necessity! Be sure to read the instructions and be well aware of how to secure the baby safely.

You can also use this time to finalize the baby's name as he or she will be here soon! The early labor time is filled with great anticipation of what is to come, and enjoying it will lead to a greater progression of labor and delivery of your precious baby!