What to expect when you're expecting (149 page)

Remember to pee often, even if you’re not feeling the urge to. A full bladder could slow down the progress of labor.

Use relaxation techniques if they help, but don’t start any breathing exercises yet or you’ll become bored and exhausted long before you really need them.

For the Coach: What You Can Do.
If you’re around during this phase, here are some ways you can help out. If a doula’s also on site, she can share in any or all of these:

Practice timing contractions. The interval between contractions is timed from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. Time them periodically, and keep a record. When they are coming less than 10 minutes apart, time them more frequently.

Spread the calm. During this early phase of labor, your most important function is to keep your partner relaxed. And the best way to do this is to keep yourself relaxed, both inside and out. Your own anxiety can be passed on to her without your realizing it, and it can be communicated not just through words but through touch—or even expressions (so no tensed-up foreheads, please). Doing relaxation exercises together or giving her a gentle, unhurried massage may help. It’s too soon, however, to have her begin using breathing exercises. For now, just breathe.

Call Your Practitioner If …

Your practitioner probably told you not to call until you’re in more active labor, but may have suggested that you call early on if labor begins during the day or if your membranes rupture. Definitely call immediately, however, if your membranes rupture and the amniotic fluid is murky or greenish, if you have any bright red vaginal bleeding, or if you feel no fetal activity (it may be hard to notice because you are distracted by contractions, so try the test on
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). Although you may not feel like it, it’s best if you—not your coach—make the call and talk to your practitioner. A lot can be lost in third-party translations.

Offer comfort, reassurance, and support. She’ll need them from now on.

Keep your sense of humor, and help her keep hers; time flies, after all, when you’re having fun. It’ll be easier to laugh now than when contractions are coming fast and hard (she probably won’t find very much of anything funny then).

Try distraction. Suggest activities that will help keep both your minds off her labor: playing video games, watching a silly sitcom or reality show, checking out celebrity birthday sites to see who baby might be celebrating with next year, baking something for the postpartum freezer stash, taking short strolls.

Keep up your own strength so you’ll be able to reinforce hers. Eat periodically but empathetically (don’t go wolfing down a Big Mac when she’s sticking to pudding). Prepare a sandwich to take along to the hospital or birthing center, but avoid anything with a strong or lingering odor. She won’t be in the mood to be sniffing bologna or onions on your breath.

The active phase of labor is usually shorter than the first, lasting an average of 2 to 3½ hours (with, again, a wide range considered normal). The contractions are more concentrated now, accomplishing more in less time, and they’re also increasingly more intense (in other words, painful). As they become stronger, longer (40 to 60 seconds, with a distinct peak about halfway through), and more frequent (generally 3 to 4 minutes apart, though the pattern may not be regular), the cervix dilates to 7 cm. With fewer breaks in the action, there’s less opportunity to rest between contractions.

You’ll likely be in the hospital or birthing center by now, and you can expect to feel all or some of the following (though you won’t feel pain if you’ve had an epidural):

Increasing pain and discomfort with contractions (you may not be able to talk through them now).

Increasing backache.

Leg discomfort or heaviness.