Good ideas to busy yourself in early labor?

[AllisonR]

Last time I had a horrifically long labor, and too much time on my hands to think about how much time had past. This time I am planning a HB. However, if things progress slowly like last time, or I end up with days of on and off labor, I would like some suggestions. My thoughts so far are: into town for a massage; have zone therapist/accupunturist come out to the house; get my hair braided; do a little clay sculpting; make my plaster stomach mold.

What unusual, fun, relaxing or engaging things did you do in labor? What were peoples reactions to your behaviour? I mean, if I am deep breathing and saying "ooh" in the hair salon, how do I get the hairdresser to keep braiding my hair, instead of being "concerned" about my contractions?

[zoe398]

I think everything you listed sounds wonderful. I always tell women to go see a movie (or rent one), many of them knit which is a great early labor activity. Really anything you enjoy and are comfortable doing would be a greay way to spend early labor.

[Seie]

My first labor was LOONG - I arrived at hospital after 36 hours of regular contractions : - and those hours were LONG - for the exact same reason you describe. I was so excited and just couldnt believe they werent picking up. I didnt dare go anywhere because I was nervous if they would pick up considerably. They didnt pick up all at once though so I could easily have done something fun with my time..

For my second labor I labored on and off for 3-4 days before finally going into active labor. There was no pattern - some ctx would be very mild - others a bit heavier but there was NO pattern during the day. What we did was go swimming with our son - that was great and really took my mind off labor - also I didnt get any contractions during that time so.. I also remember shopping and having to lean over the shoppingcart in the supermarket every time I had a ctx : On the day of actual labor we went for a bikeride. I had to stop a few times with pretty painful contractions but it was great. My son had a great time and the weather was beautiful. I was so happy about the entire situation and just sucked up those last hours of being just the three of us.
So I recommend family time and outdoor time if the weather allows.
I personally thought it was pretty cool to be out in daily life with contractions. Felt like I had a special secret and like I was a pretty cool mama to go shopping with contractions : It sheds a different light over everything to know you have a baby coming so soon.

I actually hope I will get that kind of drawn out startup again next time - it really makes the last days exciting :mrgreen: As long as it is less than a week - not sure I could deal with several weeks of that :

ETA: If your contractions are getting painful enough that you start moaning and your hairdresser gets distracted - I would say it was about time you head home Remember once you hit active labor it can be A LOT faster the second time around! For me the only thing that was different when I hit active labor was the strength of the ctx. They got LOTS more painful on the day I actually gave birth.

Good luck!

[eco_mama]

Clean!

[Seie]

Originally Posted by EcoMama7

Clean!

Ehh - Did that too - around 6-7 cms dilated I think : I didnt get that nesting urge till late in the afternoon on the day I gave birth - suddenly thought the floor needed some scrubbing A broom is pretty good to lean on for contractions..

[3daughters]

Clean is a good one. I always felt like I needed to have a clean home when I got back with the baby.

Cook is another good one. Freeze a couple of meals for your babymoon.

I also leave my bag packing for early labor. I buy all the things I need during the last few weeks of pregnancy but do the actual packing once labor has begun. Guess this one doesn't apply for homebirths, hopefully me next time .

Last but not least, relax! This is the last down time you'll have in a long time. Enjoy the 'easy' contractions and try and rest a bit!

[courtenay_e]

I had six weeks of prodromal labor (changes the cervix but is never...quite...active...labor) with both of my kids before I gave birth. I learned the hard way to simply live life! It's the only real thing to do. It's not like you're going to MISS that you've gone into active labor. I agree with pp's about spending time out doors if it's nice. I got pedicures, manicures, my hair done, massages, chiropractic adjustments, washed the floor, did laundry, cleaned house, visited with friends, went to the movies, practiced yoga, swam, walked...

I finally would realize that the ctx were getting serious and I couldn't live life through them anymore. And then it was "time" to start really worrying about "laboring." If I had "labored" for the full six weeks I had labor...I would have ended up with a cesarean section due to maternal exhaustion!

So, all that to say that my advice is to simply live your life. Don't pay attention to the ctx until they absolutely will not allow you to do anything but concentrate and relax through them with support. THEN you're in the business of labor. Until then, do the business of living your life!

[tash11]

sex



I just ate dinner, watched tv, had sex, took a nap, played online, tried to microwave leftovers, ate leftovers (or tried to, thats about the time transition hit), then I (in active labour) cleared out the bathroom and adjusted the water to a temp I liked......

(I was only in labour for 10 hours, but I think the sex helped speed things up)

[Mama Poot]

I plan on going outside, even if its 3am and going for a walk. Before I went to the hospital last time, I paced around and around my sofa, and it really helped. I'm having a homebirth this time, so I don't have to be concerned with rushing off to anywhere. I can go outside, inside, down to the five-and-dime ( yes we have a genuine five and dime here! ), anywhere I please And when it gets to be too much, I plan on sitting in a nice hot bath Hopefully no one will call the police when they hear me in front of their house on the sidewalk in the middle of the night going "ooooohhhhhhh owwwwwwwww" like a wounded animal.

[maxmama]

Make bread. Pretty labor-intensive (heh heh) but not too strenuous, and then you can eat it. Or make a cake. (Ummm...third tri carb cravings rearing their ugly heads...)

[lalaland42]

I fixed my laptop. I wouldn't recommend this as a relaxing activity.