I saw Sree Ram, my husband, calling her cousin yesterday night and wishing her a safe and healthy delivery. She’s in her last week of pregnancy and indeed today is her expected date of confinement.
But, I started wondering is she aware of the labor landmarks. I thought to post these in the interest of other expectant mothers.
Landmarks of Labor (Oh Dear! I never Experienced any of these. I had an emergent C-section)
Pre-labor: It is during this phase that the cervix that is beneath the womb that needs to soften and ripen (the membrane thins down). During this phase one may feel niggling contractions off and on. So one can’t be sure if this is real labor or is not, all you become is emotional. You just need to relax now. This phase may last for one day or max for 2 days. Don’t keep pondering about it, you need distraction. Watch your favorite movie on a DVD or listen to some cool and soothing music. If you are active and not bedridden you may want to become busy. So take a walk and hit the nearest grocery store or vegetable mandi. Better, visit friends. Take long bath in lukewarm water. Ask your husband or a close friend to give a massage (partner massaging his expectant wife is a new thing here, but ask him and he may not say no to your request). Take little and quite often to you’re your energy levels up.
Pre-labor: It is during this phase that the cervix that is beneath the womb that needs to soften and ripen (the membrane thins down). During this phase one may feel niggling contractions off and on. So one can’t be sure if this is real labor or is not, all you become is emotional. You just need to relax now. This phase may last for one day or max for 2 days. Don’t keep pondering about it, you need distraction. Watch your favorite movie on a DVD or listen to some cool and soothing music. If you are active and not bedridden you may want to become busy. So take a walk and hit the nearest grocery store or vegetable mandi. Better, visit friends. Take long bath in lukewarm water. Ask your husband or a close friend to give a massage (partner massaging his expectant wife is a new thing here, but ask him and he may not say no to your request). Take little and quite often to you’re your energy levels up.
Early Labor: The cervix starts dilating and opening up and the contractions are more regular by now and they are also definite. Take a shower or a bath. Talk to your husband for emotional reassurance and eat if you may want to. Practice relaxing breathing techniques.
Active Labor: The cervix dilates to up to 4 inches and the baby's head almost fits through this (unless otherwise it is a big baby). Just stay focused on each of the contraction (they become more frequent). Take help from whatever knowledge you have gained and endure the pain. This is followed by actual birth of the baby and then push off of the placenta.
But I advice all expectant moms to take some time before hand and attend antenatal classes where they teach you of the breathing techniques and pain relieving techniques. These classes also make one aware of the landmarks of labor and the active labor can really be a pleasure filled experience not a painful one.
