Watching the clock makes you acutely aware of how much time is passing – or not passing – and you're more likely to get caught up asking yourself “How much longer can I do this?” instead of staying mindful and present in the moment and focusing on relaxing during and between contractions. DON'T hold your breath.
Above all, doctors still recommend that you eat light and preferably during early labor rather than in the later stages. Foods to avoid during labor include rich foods such as large pieces of meat and heavy meals.
It is better to not over exert yourself during the contractions where you may feel overwhelmed and want to change your positions frequently. Though changing positions can help speed up the things, rest is crucial as well. A labor can last for long hours; resting in between will help your mind and body to recover.
The best foods for labor are easy to eat and digest, filling, and energizing. That also means avoiding foods that are high in fat, greasy, or spicy, since these can be more difficult to digest.
Doctors began requiring women to fast during labor after it was documented in the mid-20th century that pregnant women who were put under general anesthesia had an increased risk for aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs. It can cause a severe inflammatory reaction or death.
And you can stay hydrated as well as eat lightly as your day approaches in the hopes of avoiding large bowel movements. But even with these efforts, keep in mind that it's pretty likely you'll still pass some poop when you push.
However, once labour begins, water is your best option, but if you aren't a fan of plain water, weak squash is a good choice too8. Remember to fill a sports bottle before you head to the hospital – something you can easily sip from with minimal effort.
There's no right or wrong way to deliver your baby, whether it's with an epidural or not. But if you're planning on getting pain relief, don't be scared. It's advice I could have used myself. I was so afraid of a large needle being inserted into my spinal cord and making me numb from my waist down.
During the latent stage, it's a good idea to have something to eat and drink because you'll need energy for when labour is established. If your labour starts at night, try to stay comfortable and relaxed. Sleep if you can. If your labour starts during the day, stay upright and gently active.
Some people describe the feeling as being like intense period cramps, others say it feels like a tightening or pounding feeling in your uterus or across your belly, others describe the feeling as being like very intense muscle cramps, while still other people describe contractions as being like the sort of wrenching ...
“…if you do not scream during the pain, it helps you to save the energy so that when it is time you can push but if you scream, you would be exhausted when the time comes for you to push and you might end up with episiotomy” (PP8).
This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well. Other causes of pain during labor include pressure on the bladder and bowels by the baby's head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina.
Your baby should continue to move as normal once your waters have broken and when you are having contractions. You can eat and drink as normal.
Our endogenous oxytocin floods our brain, infusing our pleasure and reward center, providing pain relief, helping us to do the work required in labour, and intensifies labour sensations so that it is efficient. One of the main ways to support oxytocin release is with touch – loving, non-clinical touch is optimal.
Medical interventions can speed up labor, but there are other ways to encourage dilation. They include moving around, rocking on an exercise ball, using relaxation techniques, and laughing. Dilation is a term that describes the widening of the cervical opening.
"Lying on your side, standing, sitting, walking, rocking—anything that keeps you active can help decrease pain and speed up labor," says Dawley. Other benefits of upright labor positions include: Reduced need for medication. Help in dilating your cervix and widening your pelvic opening.
The length of this stage varies with the position and size of the baby and your ability to push with the contractions. For first-time mothers the average length of pushing is one-to-two hours. In some instances, pushing can last longer than two hours if mother and baby are tolerating it.
Most babies breathe and cry within a few seconds of being born. If your baby is breathing well, they can be placed naked, skin to skin, on your chest or belly straight after birth. Skin-to-skin contact keeps your baby warm. It also helps to steady your baby's breathing and heart rate and trigger your first breastfeed.
In many hospitals, immediate newborn assessments include weight, length, and medicines. Even the first bath is done right in your room. As quickly as possible, a new baby is placed in your arms. Often, the baby is placed skin-to-skin on your chest right after birth.
You may have some pain and cramping after giving birth. This is because your womb (uterus) is contracting and going back to its normal size. These pains usually last for 2 or 3 days after a straightforward vaginal delivery, but may last a little longer if you had a tear or an assisted birth, for example.
Although some practitioners still say no way to food once contractions begin, many others believe that eating is fine during labor (especially in the early stages, and often all the way through), as long as you're sticking with fluids and snacks instead of a steak dinner.
Remember though once an epidural comes into play what you can eat will be severely restricted. To keep your energy up you will be able to eat and drink but what you consume has to be see through. Those things include, apple juice, not orange juice, jello and popsicles.
Because it's usually harder for mamas to eat during active labor, I recommend focusing on drinks that contain electrolytes and/or sugars like Gatorade and coconut water. Honey sticks, apple sauce pouches, popsicles, Jell-o, or hard candies are other great options when you can't stomach much but could use a quick boost!
Lochia is the vaginal discharge you have after giving birth. It contains a mix of blood, mucus and uterine tissue. It has a stale, musty odor like menstrual period discharge and can last several weeks.