4 Signs That Your Labour Has Started

You’re probably familiar with the typical Hollywood film depiction of the first sign of labour being a dramatic enactment of the leading character’s waters breaking in a very public place followed by a mad dash to the hospital.

But is this really how most of us can expect the first sign of labour to play out?

Thankfully the answer is no!

In fact, it might surprise you to learn that your waters breaking is usually NOT the first sign that labour has started for most women.  Plus, your first sign of labour could be any one of a number of signs.

In this post I’ll be sharing with you the most common signs  that labour has started as well as other less well known indications - must have knowledge - that we share with all the Mums and Dads on our in-depth HypnoBirthing Courses.

I’m a passionate believer in the power of being prepared both physically and (most importantly) MENTALLY for your birth – so that you give yourself the gift of experiencing the positive birth that you CAN have.

So, let’s begin and find out what your first sign of labour might be:

Contractions

The start of regular contractions, which increase in regularity and intensity over time are what most women experience as the first sign that their labour has started. 

Now, for some women it can be quite hard to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks Contractions and actual labour contractions.  Braxton Hicks are “practice contractions” that many women are aware of from about 20 weeks into their pregnancy and usually feel like a tightening sensation across their abdominal area.

Usually, Braxton Hicks differ from true labour contractions in the sense that they can be quite variable in terms of timing and intensity – and eventually peter out..

Waters Breaking

Your waters breaking might be the first sign that your labour has started – but it might surprise you to know that this is only the case for about 1 in 10 women.

When your waters break, the bag of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby ruptures and releases fluid via the cervix and birth path. You might experience this as a sudden rush or as a slight trickle.

Next week I’ll be talking about what to look out for if your waters breaking happens to be your first sign of labour – so keep an eye out!

Release of Your Mucous Plug

You might have also heard this sign being referred to as its rather less appealing title of a “bloody show”.  But, rest assured, it’s completely painless and a lot less dramatic than it sounds!

The mucous plug that blocks your cervix, begins to loosen as you approach your due date and you’ll notice a reddish-tinge to your cervical fluid. 

You might begin to lose your mucous plug gradually in the weeks leading up to your due date or it might be released all in one go.

Other Signs to Look Out For

There are a number of other less obvious signs that might indicate your labour has begun such as abdominal cramps and an upset tummy .

So, you can see that there are a number of signs to keep an eye out for – and as always you can best support yourself by passing this knowledge on to your birth partner – so have a chat with him/her after reading this post and share what you’ve learned.

In next week’s post I’ll be answering the all important question of WHEN to call your midwife once you think you’re in labour – and yes, it differs depending on what that first sign is.

Please share this practical information with other pregnant women - forward this to your friends and family or share on Facebook.

I just gave you 4 signs that labour has begun, tell me what surprised you most and why in the comments section below.

See you in the comments!

Warmly,

Leyla

how to start labour naturally: what every woman should know

I remember approaching my due date and feeling pretty confused by all the advice and tips regarding how to bring on labour – did they really work or were they just old wives tales? 

Just before 41 weeks I began to feel slightly worried about when my baby was going to make an appearance - particularly as the Birthing Centre I had booked into (and really wanted to give birth at), didn't admit women beyond 40 weeks and 12 days. 

Eating spicy curries, drinking raspberry leaf tea and acupuncture – could any of these really help to bring on my labour naturally?

I'm happy to say that after lots of of personal research and use of what I felt were the most effective methods, my son Rafi was born 8 days after my due date - and yes, I got my birth at the Birth Centre!

So, what would I recommend for helping you bring on labour naturally?

Read on…. and let’s find out.

In this post, I’ll be letting you in on what worked for me, the methods I chose to skip and when’s the best time to start using these techniques.

Now, before I launch into this topic, I’ll just preface it by stating that some of the methods I’ll be recommending are backed up by scientific principles – and some aren’t – BUT, I’ve seen them all work.

My personal opinion is that most of these tips are easy to do, inexpensive and completely safe – so why not give them a go?  If they work, then great!  If not, you can at least take away the knowledge that you did all you could to get things going. 

So on that note, let’s begin.

Methods I Recommend 

Natural Therapies

This has got to be one of my top tips.  I clearly remember seeing my midwife on my due date and her advising me to take the Homeopathic Remedy Caullophylum saying that she’d seen it work wonders. 

I’d also recommend both acupuncture and reflexology – let me know if you’d like any practitioner recommendations.  I used all of the above and think they worked brilliantly.

Having Sex

No, this isn’t a theory made up by men!  Semen contains hormonal fatty acids called prostaglandins which can help to bring on labour. 

In order to allow the prostaglandins sufficient time to work on the cervix, it’s a good idea to pop a pillow under your hips and lie back and relax for 15-20 minutes afterwards.

Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry Leaf Tea helps tone the muscles of your uterus, helping to prepare you for birth.  If you’re going to use Raspberry Leaf Tea, here are some tips for getting the most out of it.

Firstly, Raspberry Leaf is actually a form of herbal medicine and as such, you need to take a minimum dose for it to have a therapeutic effect.  The odd cuppa here and there is probably not going to be enough!  Drink at least 3 cups a day from 38 weeks onwards. 

Plus – super important point – you need to use the “leaf” itself which you can buy from places such at Neal Yard Remedies.  Beware – the boxes of Raspberry leaf Tea you might find in shops usually contain only about 50% of Raspberry Leaf and are mixed with other ingredients to look and taste nice.

If you can’t stomach herbal teas – Raspberry Leaf is also available in capsule format from health food stores such as Holland & Barrett.

Long Walks

Take a long walk, preferably somewhere in a beautiful, natural environment.  Nipping out to the shops unfortunately isn’t enough!  My fist sign of labour was contractions which started on a snowy walk at Ashton Court – I remember leaning against trees and breathing with each contraction – it was a lovely way for things to get going.

Methods I’d Skip

Basically anything to do with food!

I know, I know, we’ve all heard the tips about eating spicy food and copious amounts of pineapple – and I’m not saying they don’t work, I just think that there are much more effective and efficient methods out there.

When Should I Start Using These Methods?

Unlike medical induction techniques, natural methods can’t bring on labour artificially.  What they can do, is help nudge your body gently towards labour.

For this reason, natural methods have a much better chance of working the further you are into your pregnancy.  I’d suggest using these techniques at about 40wks plus 5 days (with the exception of Raspberry Leaf tea which can be used from 38 weeks).

Now, whilst, these techniques are often effective and have helped countless women go into labour – they don’t always have their desired effect.  So, if you do go beyond 42 weeks – that’s the time to consider your doctor or midwife’s recommendations for a medical induction.

  

Now that I’ve shared my top tips for bringing on labour naturally, have a think about what methods you’d like to use should you go beyond your due date and make a note of them in your birth plan.

Please forward this email to your pregnant friends or share on Facebook.

Have YOU used any natural methods for bringing on labour?  Let me know what worked for you – or what didn’t – in the comments box below.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Warmly,

Leyla

7 induction facts you need to know

In my opinion, having a solid understanding about what’s involved in a medical induction - as well as being clued up on natural methods of bringing on labour - is a CRUCIAL aspect in preparing for your birth.

Why? Well, on average 1 in 5 women in the UK will require an induction – so it’s pretty common! 

Whilst it’s true that a medical induction can significantly alter the course of your labour, I truly believe that being prepared can make all the difference. 

The difference between feeling disappointed that perhaps events felt beyond your control OR having the confidence, knowledge and skills to adapt to an induction and STILL having an incredible experience.

Baby Adam

Just check out what one of our HypnoBirthing students, Valeria, said of her recently induced labour,

“The birth experience was amazing.  I was induced on August 19^th and my son Adam was born on the 22^nd.  My contractions started well - within a few hours of being induced.

The Breathing Techniques worked amazingly and the midwives did not actually believe that my labour had started!  They said that as HypnoBirthing Mums often don't show the signs of labour, they’d need to monitor my contractions to double check.

I would do the whole thing all over again, birthing is amazing, keep an open mind and whatever happens do your breathing until the end, staying calm is the best thing you can do!”

So, now that you know it’s possible to be induced and still come out smiling, let’s get started on my top 7 induction facts :)

1.  Why Would I Need To Be Induced?

The most common reason for being induced is that your pregnancy has gone over 42 weeks (depending on your hospital’s policy).  Other reasons can include special circumstances such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

2. What on Earth’s a Stretch & Sweep?

At 40 weeks your midwife will offer you a Stretch & Sweep. 

Whilst this isn’t formally considered an induction process it’s thought to help things along and involves your midwife separating the membranes surrounding your baby from your cervix. 

This helps to promote the supply of prostaglandins (hormonal fatty acids) which assist with starting your labour.

3. Pessaries

The first stage of an induction process involves the use of a pessary which is essentially a gel capsule that’s inserted into your vagina.  The pessary contains prostaglandins which help to stimulate the onset of labour.

For many women, the use of pessaries can be enough to get labour started and if so, you’re ready to go!

4.  Breaking Your Waters

If your labour hasn’t started with the use of pessaries, you may be recommended to have your waters broken.

This involves using a small instrument called an amnio hook – which looks a bit like a knitting needle with a little hook on the end – but don’t worry, using breathing techniques or gas and air can help make it more comfortable!

5.       Syntocinon Drip

If labour still hasn’t started, a syntocinon drip might be suggested. Syntocinon is a synthetic form of oxytocin (which is your body’s naturally occurring hormone responsible for establishing your contractions).

The contractions brought on with the use of the syntocinon drip can often be much more powerful than naturally occurring contractions and you’ll most likely be offered an epidural to help with the pain.

6.      Your Bishop’s Score

If induction is suggested, if might be helpful to ask what your Bishop’s Score is.  Your Bishop’s Score basically assesses your “readiness” for labour by taking into account various aspects such as cervical dilation and cervical positioning.

A higher score of approximately 8 and above is a great indication that your body is “ready” for labour.

7.      Natural Methods of Bringing on Labour

For me personally, this is SUCH an important topic and one that is unfortunately so frequently overlooked.  

I know there are lots of old wives tales out there about how to get labour started – but there are also lots of effective and easy to use techniques.

So, in next week’s blog post I’ll be letting you know which tips really are worth using and which are best left in the “Old Wives Tales” category!

I’ll also be letting you know WHEN to start using these techniques and how to get the most out of them.  

So make sure you don’t miss out!  If you want to get my next post about natural induction before it goes live, just add your email address to the comments box below and I'll send to you ahead of publication.

There you have it – my quick guide to essential induction facts.  

What I’d love you to take away from this post, is the insight that no matter what unexpected circumstances might arise in your birth, a POSITIVE experience is still possible – with the right preparation and knowledge – remember Valeria’s experience!

 

Now that you’ve read my 7 induction facts – I suggest you share them with your Birth Partner so that you’re BOTH clued up on what’s involved.

Please forward this email to a pregnant friend or share on Facebook.

Now, I’d love to hear from YOU!  I just gave you 7 facts on induction, tell me the one that stood out to you most and why in the comments section below.

Warmly,

Leyla