1) Take a deep breath
2) Take another deep breath. You are having your baby! Yeah!!
3) Call your partner, doula, and/or medical care provider to let them know you think you are in labor.
a. Your medical provider may only want you to call when in active labor. Confirm their preferences at a prenatal appointment.
b. Your doula most likely wants you to call as soon as you THINK you are in labor. No matter the day or time. We are thrilled to get that early call!
4) Begin to monitor signs of labor and labor progression. Track contractions frequency and intensity once an hour for 15-20 minutes.
5) If it is nighttime, relax and rest. Sleep if you can. If it is day time, distract yourself with some movement, activity, food, or an errand.
6) Stay in close touch with your labor support team.
7) Call your child/dog/house/life support and let them know a sense of when they will be needed.
8) Get your bags by the door and complete any last minute preparations at home.
9) Monitor signs of labor and determine with your care team when to go to the birthing center or hospital.
a. Many care providers want you to be in an established 5-1-1 pattern before arriving at the hospital or a 3-1-1 pattern for most birthing centers. Confirm this with your practitioner in advance.
b. A decent and free app for contractions is Full Term - Contraction Counter. You can see more about it here.
Through it all, take lots of deep breaths.
We’ve got you.
You’ve got this.