What's your plan in early labor?

[babymango]

I've heard so many women say they had a porject for early labor (something that doesnt require too much thinking, and that doesnt matter if it gets finished or not)

Im trying to think of something.  Baking cookies?  I could set the oven on a timer.  Crocheting something? 

Im looking for ideas...

[tracymom1]

I made a "Birthday Cake" for DD on the morning that I went into labor.  I made sure it was an easy recipe and that I would have all the ingredients on hand.  It was the perfect distraction and not too involved that I couldn't stop if needed.  And boy, was I happy to have some birthday cake to celebrate with later that night!!

I also made a big breakfast of eggs, pancakes and the works as soon as I started to feel regular contractions.  I wanted to make sure I ate a nice big meal before things really got under way.

[allisonrose]

I was thinking about this recently. My midwife told me that early labor isn't the time to clean house or something else that would be physically draining. With my first, I went to the hospital and brought knitting needles and a ball of yarn to knit a baby hat and also a Harry Potter book. I did spend a bit of time knitting although I never ended up finishing the hat.

I have a vague thought about going grocery shopping in early labor to make sure I have food in the house but feel I would need to recruit someone to drive me since driving while in labor - even early labor - seems like a bad idea!

[RoseRedHoofbeats]

Sleep. As much as possible.

~Rose

[babymango]

Originally Posted by allisonrose 

I was thinking about this recently. My midwife told me that early labor isn't the time to clean house or something else that would be physically draining. With my first, I went to the hospital and brought knitting needles and a ball of yarn to knit a baby hat and also a Harry Potter book. I did spend a bit of time knitting although I never ended up finishing the hat.

I have a vague thought about going grocery shopping in early labor to make sure I have food in the house but feel I would need to recruit someone to drive me since driving while in labor - even early labor - seems like a bad idea!

Funny you mention that.  Last pregnancy, that's what i did.  I went to the grocery store because i felt I NEEDED berries.  It's close enough to walk (6-7 blocks) and it felt nice to get out of the house, to know I was going to be busy for the next hour or so instead of staring at the clock!  The only part that sucked was when i was coming back home, with two fully bags of fruits/veggies, and had a pretty painful contraction as I was crossing the street!  I thought I would never make it across, I considered leaving my bags right there ;)

[Marissamom]

with DD I slept through any early labor I had, and woke up having contractions strong enough that all I could do was labor. if I'm awake through early labor this time, I will probably just do my daily stuff (hang out with DD, wash a couple of dishes, maybe put away any clean laundry), or get anything ready that need it, pull out the birth kit, prep some snacks for after the birth. 

[Aliy]

lol... whats early labour???

i have short labours so ealry labour really isn't something for me. But i try and rest,

[IdentityCrisisMama]

In very early labor I will also try to sleep (especially if it's the afternoon, evening or night).  Once things get going a little more I plan on getting the bed made, birth supplies ready, house in order and etc.  I'll also plan on making something to eat.  I haven't decided if I'll make a sweet, bread (soft pretzels!!) and/or chicken soup.  Maybe everything depending on the labor.  With my first birth I did have time for all of that -- I'll be happy to have a quicker labor and unfinished cookies.    I like raw cookie dough anyway.   ;-)